The VFW has been around over 125 years, Post 9851 nearly 80. Formed July 15, 1948 by a group of Hendersonville town leaders who were also Combat Veterans (mostly WWII) who committed to continue the fight for Veterans' needs and benefits by uniting with other local Veterans. Originally meeting on property along a creek of the Cumberland River in the unincorporated  town of Hendersonville, they thought it necessary to relocate to our current location when, less than 10 years later, the formation of Old Hickory Lake left them with a small fraction of their property. They missed having room for events Veterans would enjoy. The "new" facility, for a time, became "the place" in town to gather for all forms of activities. Today, most of those Veterans' local children still tell of their stories. Those who followed have continued their spirit, with energy to take advantage of the forward planning by those founders, and continue to serve in Sumner County as the largest and most active VFW Post in the county.

Our organization's membership requirements are defined by Congress, so today we work with other County Veteran Service Organizations so ALL Veterans are included, making us a one-stop spot where they and their dependents can find friendship, comradery, and compassion for Veteran related issues, because our members have been there-done that. Together with our Auxiliary, we unite to live, play, and work for all Veterans in, and the community at large. We still provide services to the general public, with such things as our weekly Veteran's Food Pantry (jointly with VVA 240), scholarship opportunities for school students, and rental of our hall for community gatherings, such as weddings and reunions.

 

For the national perspective, 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.