Information about Veteran Participation Reports (VPR’s) for Commemorative Dates
National VFW By-Laws, Manual of Procedure, Rituals and General Orders of the National VFW expressly dictate what each VFW Post must do in regards to Commemorative Dates.
Section 223 of the VFW National By-Laws - Commemorative Dates: "Each Post shall properly observe commemorative dates, as prescribed in the Ritual and Manual of Procedure.
Section 223 of the VFW National Manual of Procedure – Commemorative Dates: "Each Post shall make arrangements for observances of Memorial Day, see that suitable grave markers, wreaths and flags of the United States are placed on the graves of deceased members and, if practicable, conduct Memorial Day Services in the cemeteries in its locality.
Each Post shall see that suitable arrangements are made for the required observance of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day and Loyalty Day.
In addition, the Post should arrange special ceremonies, and all Commanders should alert comrades to their obligations for appropriate commemoration of other dates specified in the Ritual.”
National VFW Ritual – Commemorative Tributes: "Posts should arrange special ceremonies and all commanders shall alert comrades to their obligations for appropriate commemoration of the following outstanding action dates in U.S. history:
Click on Highlighted dates for link to more information about each event.
THE DATES
May 8—VE Day: German unconditional surrender signed, 1945.
June 6—D Day: Allied invasion of Europe, 1944.
July 27—Signing of the Korean Armistice in 1953.
August 31—End of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2010.
September 2—VJ Day: Japan surrendered, 1945, ending World War II fighting.
September, third Friday—POW/MIA Recognition Day.
October 9—Start of Operation Enduring Freedom—
October 18—Recognition of Women in Military Service
November 11—Signing World War I Armistice, 1918. Veterans Day.
December 7—Pearl Harbor Day, since 1941.
January 27—Signing of the Vietnam Peace Accord in 1973.
February 15—Sinking of U.S.S. Maine, 1898.
February 28— Liberation of Kuwait—Operation Desert Storm 1991.
March 24—Start of the Kosovo Campaign 1999.
March 31—End of Operation Restore Hope—Somalia 1995.
Not listed in the Current Edition of the VFW By-laws but as important is;
September 29th of each year is the VFW Birthday.
Minimum 5 VPRs are required for minimum credit; Posts may submit up to 12 for community service recognition vfwgalveston.org.
Each VPR is worth 2 points for community service, with a goal for many Posts to report at least 100 community service events annually vfwgalveston.org.
Observances may include ceremonies, wreath-laying, flag displays, educational programs, and community service projects.
VPRs are more than traditions—they are living reminders of sacrifice, duty, and patriotism, reinforcing the VFW’s mission to honor veterans, educate the public, and maintain camaraderie.