The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them,and they were left to care for themselves. 

In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000. 

Since then, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.

Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. 

From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.

The VFW has a long history CLICK HERE  Did you know

Post History

Non-Profit-incorporation December 10, 1987

VFW Post 1581 Post History Presentation CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Founding Members:

Daniel Murphy:

VFW Post 1581 Commander. Attorney. Establish the post 1581 pull tabs program, providing financial income for the post.

Sebastian (Subby) Caniglia:

VFW Post 1581 Commander. Subby Caniglia was an Omaha native who attended Creighton University and served in the Army in World War II. He was a member of the local musicians union since 1946. He was an active member of the American Italian Heritage Society and volunteered at La Festa Italiana for 25 years. For about 30 years he was lead alto sax player and a singer in the Eddy Haddad Orchestra. Subby played for the stars at Ak-Sar-Ben family shows and the Omaha Civic Auditorium — Jimmy Durante, Robert Goulet, Debbie Reynolds, Patti Page, Jack Jones, Jack Benny, Rosemary Clooney.  Subby Caniglia sold insurance, including 25 years for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska.

Michael J.Bizzarri Sr:

VFW Post 1581 Commander and Quartermaster. WWII Navy veteran; member American Legion Post 0374 and VFW Post 1581.

Lorenz "Bill" Montoya:

He joined the Army and served in Europe during the Berlin Crisis. He was discharged in 1964. After leaving the Army, he began dating the former Eva Jean Silas, who he knew in Lexington. He was a truck driver for McCann Concrete Co. in Omaha. He was a member of VFW Post 1581 and Commander of the Mexican-American Veterans. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Am Vets, American Legion Post 1 and Nebraska State Honor Guard Forum. Lorenz was the first VFW member to make All-American five times for the state of Nebraska and he was an all-state selection seven times.