ABOUT US

Our Post
Joe Wagner Post 7313 was established in Pittsboro, NC, in 1946.

 

 

Who We Are 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces.

We trace our 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 would eventually band together and 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. Today, membership stands at more than 1.5 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary.

Our voice was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, development of the national cemetery system, in the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, we 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. We were the driving force behind the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, and continually fight for improved 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, in 2005 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010. And in 2015, we became the first supporter of the National Desert Storm War Memorial which is planned for construction at our nation's capital.

We have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members and their families, as well as communities worldwide. Please check out our latest fact sheet or spend some time browsing our site to learn why No One Does More For Veterans.



Post News

Important Info for Post7313 Members

Lafayette Escadrille

A full year before the United States entered World War I—and two years before it sent its own planes into combat—a small group of well-heeled, well-educated idealistic young Americans were already in France eager to fight.

VFW Post Announces Youth and Education Contest Winners

Joe Wagner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7313 is pleased to announce the winners of its 2021-22 Youth and Education award competitions

National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Remembers D-Day

WASHINGTON - Today, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) pauses to remember the more than 156,000 brave Allied troops who landed by ...

VFW Acknowledges Pride Month

WASHINGTON - June is Pride Month, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joins the nation in recognizing LGBTQI+ veterans and serv...

Announcements

Voice of Democracy

Commander C.P. Stewart of Joe Wagner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7313 has announced the kick-off of this year’s VFW’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition. Local high school students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C. 

Students in grades 9 to 12 must write and record a three-to-five minute essay on the selected theme using a flash drive and present their recording, typed essay and completed entry form to the Post by October 31. The 2022-23 theme selected is "Why Is The Veteran Important?”. Students begin by competing at the local Post level, then Post winners compete at the District level with the winners advancing to the state  and national competitions. 

All state first-place winners receive a four day trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance to compete for their share of more than $150,000 in scholarships. The first-place winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship. 

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students grades in 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. 

Around 40,000 students participate in the competition each year and VFW awards more than $2.1 million in educational scholarships every year. 
Interested students and teachers should contact the Voice of Democracy Chairman at joe Wagner Post 7313 by phone at 919-542-0927 or email the Post at info@vfw7313.org for more information. 

For additional details and entry forms, visit: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.

Patriot's Pen
 
Commander C.P. Stewart of Joe Wagner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7313 announced the kick-off of the VFW’s annual Patriot’s Pen youth essay competition. Middle school students in grades 6-8 in this area have the opportunity to compete and win thousands of dollars in national awards.

The VFW enacted the Patriot’s Pen competition in 1995 to encourage young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society by composing a 300- to 400-word patriotic-themed essay. The theme for the 2022-2023 competition is "My Pledge To Our Veterans.”

Students begin by competing at the local Post level. Post winners advance to District competition with District winners advancing to the state and national competitions. State first-place winners compete for their share of thousands of dollars in awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.

Each year, more than 125,000 students participate nationwide. Deadline for student entries is October 31, and interested students and teachers should contact Joe Wagner Post 7313 by phone at 919-542-0927 or email the Post at info@vfw7313.org for more information.

For additional details and entry forms, visit: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.
 
Teacher of the Year
 
Commander C.P. Stewart of Joe Wagner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7312 has announced the kick-off of this year’s Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award contest. 

Every year, the VFW recognizes exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. The winning teachers from each (state) Department receive a national citation for themselves, and one for their school. 

Current certified/licensed teachers of grades K-12 can be nominated by fellow teachers, students, family members, other interested individuals or nominate themselves. Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism, and strive to help students develop a better understanding of democratic values and beliefs are prime candidates for the award. Nominations must be turned in by October 31, 2022 to either info@vfw7313.org or:

Joe Wagner VFW Post 7313
P.O. Box 1775
Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312 

Nominated teachers compete at the local VFW Post level with the winner advancing to the district level competition, if applicable, with the winner advancing to the state level competition by Jan. 1 2023. State first place winners are advanced to National Headquarters by Feb. 1 2023 for national level competition. 

The VFW enacted the Teacher of the Year award contest in 1999 as a way to identify and recognize America’s best educators. The VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top teachers who instill a sense of national pride in students by teaching citizenship education topics regularly and promoting America’s history and traditions effectively. 

If you are interested in nominating yourself, or a teacher you know for this contest, visit https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/teacher-of-the-year for details and entry forms.
 


FOLLOW US

OUR MISSION

 VFW Post 7313 is located at 219 West Street, Pittsboro, North Carolina.  
 

Our 2022-2023 Objectives are:

1.    Assist 12 Chatham County Veterans with VA Claims

2.    Partner with Cora for a Food Drive

3.    Partner with Toys for Tots for Families in Need

4.    Partner with Veteran Owned Businesses 

5.    Partner with local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Troops

6.    Partner with Chatham County Schools

7.    Partner with Lions Club

8.    Sponsor a Youth Team

9.    Increase Donor List

10.   Increase Membership by 50

 


We are hosting the following the events:

1.    9/11 Memorial on 9/11 at 1200 (Chatham County Courthouse)

2.    Flag Retirement Ceremonies Quarterly

3.    Free eye checks and glasses drop off (TBD)

4.    Blood Drives (Approximately Monthly)

5.    Veterans Christmas Dinner (December - To Be Announced)

 


If you can help us with our objectives or our events, please contact us at 919-542-0927 or email us at info@vfw7313.org - thank you!

 
"That the purpose of this Corporation shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational: to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members; to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead; and to assist their widows and orphans; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and to preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies.”