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 History of Ulysses G. Buzzard Memorial, VFW Post 12130 Cebu, Philippines

16 February 2013 VFW Post 12130 was activated and elected Alex Roese as the first Post Commander. Post 12130 was founded in honor of Ulysses G. Buzzard Medal of Honor recipient of the Spanish-American War At El Caney, Cuba, 1 July 1898 for actions which earned him this prestigious honor (Read citation here). SGT Buzzard is buried in the Cebu Veterans Memorial Park, Labangon, Cebu Philippines.


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 center 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 Philippine Islands are part of the Department of the Pacific and has five Posts as follows

124                  Baguio City                Facebook

2485               Angeles City               Facebook

9982               La Union                    Facebook

11447              Subic Bay                   Facebook

12130              Cebu City                   Facebook


You need to be a US Citizen to be a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America - if there are any Filipino's that have been either born in the United States or Naturalized then they are eligible for membership if they meet other qualifications. There is an organization in the Philippines and in Cebu City and surrounding areas - Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Philippines. Although they are not members of our Post and no one in our Post is members of theirs - we do interact together to celebrate anniversaries such as Landings in Leyte and Talisay City.


If you are looking for a place to hang out try 301 Ramos St., Bar & Grille (our Post Home). Owned by an Australian (Mark) and his wife (Nilma). You will find many Americans and other expats there.

 

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