Membership

Any man or woman, wounded, gassed, injured or disabled in the line of duty during time of war as substantiated by official medical records of the armed forces, by notation on discharge certificate or adjutant general's office record, or by United States Department of Veteran Affairs records, while in the service of either the military or naval forces of the United States of America, and who may still be in active service in the armed forces of the United States of America is eligible.

Others who were disabled while serving in any of the armed forces of any nations associated with the United States as allies during any of its war periods, who are American citizens and who are honorably discharged, are also eligible for membership.  Those who are eligible are also included but are not limited to the following:

• All persons who were prisoner-of-war.
• All persons awarded the purple heart.
• All persons with a disability discharge from military service.
• All persons who are receiving or ever did receive compensation from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs for a disability incurred during time of war.
• All persons with a wartime service-connected disability of any degree (including those with a rating of less than 10 percent) officially so rated by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.
• All persons awarded vocational training because of injury or disability.
• All persons retired from military service for disability incurred during time of war.
• All persons drawing at the statutory award for arrested or cured tuberculosis of wartime service origin.

"During Time of War" means the following:

• World War I - April 6, 1917 to July 2, 1921.
• World War II & Korea - September 16, 1940 to January 31, 1955
• Vietnam and other engagements - January 31, 1955 to October 14, 1976
• Iranian crises, Lebanon crises, Invasion of Grenada, Invasion of Panama and other engagements - November 4, 1979 to January 31, 1990.
• Persian Gulf, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia or other crises - August 2, 1990 until terminated by Presidential proclamation or Congressional resolution.

Included in these dates are the recent changes adopted by the delegates to the 1990 and 1991 National Convention.  They now reflect the military engagements that U.S. Forces have been involved in since Vietnam.

In addition, there are circumstances under which veterans, who served at other times, can meet the requirements, "during time of war" or "wartime service." This occurs when review of official military/VA records shows that the applicant's wound, injury or disability was incurred:

1. as a direct result of armed conflict, or
2. while engaged in extra-hazardous service under conditions simulating war.

Documentation must accompany all applications for those serving under conditions simulating war.

Life Membership Categories:

• 80 years or over - Free
• 71 thru 79 - $140.00
• 61 thru 70 - $180.00
• 41 thru 60 - $230.00
• 40 or younger - $250.00

Life Membership may be obtained on the installment basis with a minimum $40.00 down payment and the balance set up on a quarterly payment plan.