The Pacific Areas is one of 54 departments around the world.
Hirshbein will lead the more than 10,000 VFW members in the Pacific Areas.
The area is composed of seven districts and 27 VFW Posts located in Japan, Korea,Taiwan; Thailand, Cambodia, Guam, the CNMI and the Philippines.
With around 1.5 million members, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is the largest combat veterans organization in the world. The VFW provides services to veterans, their families, widows and orphans. The VFW tries to insure that those who served the nation receive the benefits and services they need and deserve.
The VFW also works to make sure that active duty servicemen and women have the resources needed to carry out their missions safely and effectively.
Through “Operation Uplink” the VFW has provided over 5.5 million free phone connections home for deployed troops and hospitalized veterans.
The Unmet Needs program has given more than $4 million in cash grants toward emergency financial aid to over 2,800 military families and the Military Assistance Program has helped host nearly 2 million military families at events worldwide.
The VFW also promotes youth development, scholarship and Americanism.
The VFW awards millions of dollars a year through scholarship programs. The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program awards $2.2 million in scholarships to high school students. Patriot’s Pen, Junior High essay contest awards $1.2 million in scholarships.
For more information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its programs, visit www.vfw.org. The Department of Pacific Areas website is www.vfwdeptpacific.org. Hirshbein’s email is [email protected].
