History

History of Our Post

VFW Marion Post 661 was established on March 16, 1931 on Hood Street NE in Salem Oregon by VFW members and the Military Order of the Cooties.  Since then we have tried to keep it our perogative to help Veterans’ and their families any way possible.  We participate in local readiness programs, military support activities, assistance in the community with the Red Cross, and helping those Veterans in the hospitals and nursing homes. 

We also get donations from the community and our members to make gift boxes for our troops that are deployed overseas.  We also accept donations for those in our community that are less fortunate whether it is food, grooming tools, or just a hot cup of coffee. 

VFW Post 661 is active with Patriotic Holidays and participate in all parades and ceremonies.  Our Color Guard/Honor Guard team also helps with funeral and memorial services for those soldiers and their families. 

Our post provides activities for our members and their families that are family oriented and fun.  From BBQ’s, to Picnics, to day trips we are trying to make our Post exciting and community friendly. 

General VFW History

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 that is now known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW). Since then, the VFW’s voice has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 21st century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and for Veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome which is now known as PTSD.  We are currently still an Advocacy for Health Care and VA Benefits.  We still assist families while their spouses are deployed.  We fight for Veterans rights, and we help to gather facts and information to help Veterans make smart choices when it comes to political candidacy.