You can join VFW Post 5825 as a Veteran, Auxiliary, or as a Social member.
Please read the information and follow the steps below to ensure that your membership application is processed as quickly as possible.
Social Membership
Social Membership is available for anyone who is not eligible to obtain Veterans of Foreign War membership or Auxiliary status. To be a social member you must fill out the social membership application and pay the dues fee, which currently is $30. The application will then be submitted at the next board meeting to be investigated and approved. Once approve your card will be mailed to you. Once you receive your card you are free to come in anytime. Membership is then renewed every year. Please stop at the club to pick up an application.
Dunlap Meckley Dean
For Veterans
Step 1 - Determine Eligibility
The fundamental difference between our organization and other "Veterans" organizations, and one in which we take great pride, is our membership eligibility qualifications. There are three primary requisites for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States:
- Citizenship
- Honorable service in the armed forces of the United States
- Service resulting in an eligible campaign medal
- or as set forth in the VFW Congressional Charter and By-Laws and the Manual of Procedure and Ritual.
Assuming that a person is a United States citizen and has an honorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces, it only remains to be proven that the person has earned a recognized campaign medal or badge; served in Korea between June 30, 1949 until present; or earned Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay eligibility.
View a full list of eligible campaign medals here.
Step 2 - Complete a Membership Application
The membership application must be completed and submitted for membership eligibility to be determined. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete all sections of the application prior to submitting it to the Post. Applications that have not been completed properly will be returned to the applicant without consideration by the membership committee.
Applications may be obtained from a bartender at the post, by contacting the Quartermaster or downloaded from here.
Step 3 - Submit Application and Supporting Documents
Once the membership application has been completed, it must be submitted to the Post along with the appropriate support documentation to prove eligibility. Supporting documentation is typically provided in the form of a DD 214 form that was provided at the time of release from active duty. The DD 214 must indicate an eligible campaign medal. DD 214s submitted without the appropriate medals will be returned with a request for additional information.
Eligibility for veterans who served in Korea or who earned Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay can be proven by submitting copies of unit assignment orders or Leave and Earning Statements (L.E.S. or "pay-stub") indicating the special leave received.
Applicants who do not have the appropriate documents should submit an SF 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, to the appropriate military records archives location to obtain their records prior to submitting the application. Information on a veteran’s service record can be obtained by contacting:
National Archives and Records Administration
Phone: 1-866-272-6272
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ or https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html
All membership applications must also be accompanied by the proper dues payment for the membership type being applied for. Annual membership is currently $30.
Life Membership dues can be found here.
Please make checks payable to: VFW Post 5825
Application, supporting documents and payment may me mailed or dropped off at the Post to the attention of the Quartermaster. If mailing your application, please mail to:
ATTN: Quartermaster
VFW Post 5825
P.O. Box 171
Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868
(814) 238-3254
Step 4 - Membership Review and Approval
Once submitted, the membership application and supporting documentation will be be reviewed by the membership committee. If the applicant is determined to be eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, they will then be voted into the membership of the Post by the current members at the next scheduled veteran's meeting. Veteran meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of each month.
Auxiliary
Step 1 - Determine Eligibility
Members become auxiliary by providing documentation show they are related in the following ways to a Veteran.
Auxiliary VFW Members Are...
- Husbands/Wives
- Widowers/Widows
- Fathers/Mothers
- Foster and stepparents
- (who have performed the duties of parent)
- Grandparents
- Sons/Daughters
- Grandchildren
- Foster and stepchildren
- Brothers/Sisters, Including half ,foster and step
...of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Members must be citizens of the United States and at least 16 years old. Individuals who are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall be eligible for dual membership in the Auxiliary.
Step 2 - Complete a Membership Application
The membership application must be completed and submitted for membership eligibility to be determined. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete all sections of the application prior to submitting it to the Post. Applications that have not been completed properly will be returned to the applicant without consideration by the membership committee.
Applications may be obtained from a bartender at the post, by contacting the Treasurer or downloaded from here.
Step 3 - Submit Application and Supporting Documents
Once the membership application has been completed, it must be submitted to the Post Auxiliary along with the appropriate support documentation to prove eligibility. Supporting documentation is typically provided in the form of a DD 214 form that was provided at the time of release from active duty. The DD 214 must indicate an eligible campaign medal. DD 214s submitted without the appropriate medals will be returned with a request for additional information.
Eligibility for veterans who served in Korea or who earned Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay can be proven by submitting copies of unit assignment orders or Leave and Earning Statements (L.E.S. or "pay-stub") indicating the special leave received.
Applicants who do not have the appropriate documents should submit an SF 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, to the appropriate military records archives location to obtain their records prior to submitting the application. Information on a veteran’s service record can be obtained by contacting:
National Archives and Records Administration
Phone: 1-866-272-6272
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ or https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html
All membership applications must also be accompanied by the proper dues payment for the membership type being applied for. Annual membership is currently $25 the initial year and $20 every year after.
Life Membership dues and an application can be found here.
Please make checks payable to: VFW Post 5825 Auxiliary
Application, supporting documents and payment may be mailed or dropped off at the Post to the attention of the Quartermaster. If mailing your application, please mail to:
ATTN: Treasurer
VFW Post 5825 Auxiliary
P.O. Box 171
Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868
(814) 238-3254
Step 4 - Membership Review and Approval
Once submitted, the membership application and supporting documentation will be be reviewed by the membership committee. If the applicant is determined to be eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, they will then be voted into the membership of the Post by the current members at the next scheduled Auxiliary meeting. Auxiliary meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month.