Nearly thirty-seven years after its initial formation by veterans returning from the Spanish-American War, the Veterans of Foreign Wars officially received its federal charter from the U.S. Congress on May 28, 1936. This monumental legislation transformed the advocacy group into a federally recognized institution. Led by prominent figures like Bernard W. Kearney and James Van Zandt, the charter solidified the organization’s political power, allowing them to fight for critical medical benefits and rehabilitation rights for generations of combat veterans.
