Washington Veterans Posts

About Veterans Organizations in Washington

A deep look at the history, oldest posts, membership process, and notable veterans connected to Washington.

History of Veterans Organizations in Washington

Washington State possesses one of the most extensive military footprints on the West Coast, with a veterans tradition shaped by the Pacific Northwest's strategic position facing the Pacific Ocean and bordering Canada. The state's military heritage stretches back to its territorial period when the Puget Sound region required Army garrisons to maintain peace with Native American tribes and to assert American sovereignty against British and Russian claims. Fort Steilacoom, established in 1849 near present-day Tacoma, served as one of the earliest American military posts in the Pacific Northwest. By the time the American Legion was chartered by Congress in September 1919, Washington had already supplied substantial numbers of soldiers to the Spanish-American War and the World War I American Expeditionary Force, with many Washingtonians serving in the 91st Infantry Division and the 161st Infantry Regiment of the Washington National Guard.

The Washington Department of the American Legion organized rapidly in 1919 and 1920, with charter posts appearing in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima, Walla Walla, and other communities. The state's military population expanded dramatically during World War II as Joint Base Lewis-McChord, then known as Camp Lewis, became one of the largest Army training installations on the West Coast. The Bremerton Naval Shipyard, formally Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, expanded substantially to repair and maintain Pacific Fleet warships including aircraft carriers and submarines. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island became the master jet base for the West Coast and the home of all Navy electronic attack squadrons flying the EA-6B Prowler and later the EA-18G Growler.

Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane has hosted Strategic Air Command bombers, KC-135 tanker operations, and the Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School. The Yakima Training Center provides extensive maneuver area for Joint Base Lewis-McChord units. Naval Base Kitsap, encompassing the former separate bases at Bremerton and Bangor, hosts the Pacific Fleet ballistic missile submarine force at Bangor and the surface fleet at Bremerton. The Washington Army National Guard's 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team has deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan.

This concentrated military presence has continuously fed the Washington veterans community, and the state's population has grown substantially as Pacific Fleet sailors, Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers, and Fairchild airmen retire into Washington communities.

Oldest and Most Historic Posts in Washington

Several Washington American Legion posts trace their charters to the founding period of 1919 and 1920. Seattle Post 1, located in the state's largest city, was among the first chartered posts in Washington and has continuously operated since the immediate post-World War I period. Tacoma Post 2 organized to serve veterans returning to the Camp Lewis area and the working-class communities of Pierce County. Spokane Post 9 served the eastern Washington railroad city and the Inland Northwest region.

Walla Walla Post organized substantial membership from the agricultural Walla Walla Valley and surrounding wheat-growing counties. Bremerton Post adjacent to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard drew membership from naval workers and shipyard veterans. Yakima Post served the central Washington agricultural community, while Bellingham Post in Whatcom County served the northwestern coast. Everett Post, Olympia Post, Vancouver Post, and Aberdeen Post all trace their origins to the early 1920s.

The Centralia Post in Lewis County gained particular notoriety after the 1919 Centralia Massacre, when American Legion members clashed violently with members of the Industrial Workers of the World on Armistice Day, a tragic event that left several Legionnaires dead and shaped early Washington Legion history. Several Washington posts maintain historic post homes, including some that date to the 1920s and 1930s and have served continuously as community gathering centers. The Wenatchee Post, Ellensburg Post, Pullman Post, and smaller community posts across eastern Washington maintain the small-town character typical of agricultural and college-town Legion operations.

VFW Posts in Washington: A Closer Look

The Washington VFW Department traces its origins to the immediate post-World War I period and has grown into one of the larger state organizations on the West Coast, reflecting Washington's substantial military population. Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Bremerton host the largest concentrations of VFW posts, with smaller posts scattered throughout the state's thirty-nine counties. The Washington VFW Department coordinates extensive scholarship programs through Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen youth competitions, supports the Washington State Veterans Home system, and conducts active legislative advocacy at the Washington State Legislature in Olympia. The Korean War and Vietnam generations contributed substantial membership to Washington VFW posts, and the post-9/11 generation has reinvigorated posts across the state, particularly in communities adjacent to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Base Kitsap, and Fairchild Air Force Base.

The Washington VFW maintains particular strength in communities along the I-5 corridor between Seattle and Tacoma where the major Army and Navy installations concentrate.

AMVETS, DAV, and Other Veterans Organizations in Washington

AMVETS established a presence in Washington during the late 1940s and has maintained an active network of posts throughout the state. The Washington AMVETS Department maintains posts in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and several smaller communities, focusing on legislative advocacy and direct service to veterans. The Disabled American Veterans organization operates one of its larger state departments in Washington, with chapters in major Washington cities and an active state department. The Washington DAV operates extensive transportation networks moving disabled veterans to VA medical centers in Seattle, American Lake near Tacoma, Spokane, Walla Walla, and the smaller community-based outpatient clinics.

DAV service officers throughout Washington assist veterans with disability claims, and the organization partners frequently with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs on benefits outreach.

Washington Veterans Posts by the Numbers

Washington is home to approximately 530,000 veterans according to recent VA estimates, ranking among the larger state veteran populations and reflecting the state's substantial military footprint. The Washington Department of the American Legion maintains over 200 active posts statewide with combined membership estimated near 22,000. The Washington VFW Department operates approximately 130 active posts with membership over 18,000. AMVETS maintains roughly 25 posts in Washington, and the Washington DAV operates over 30 chapters.

Veterans represent approximately 8 percent of Washington's adult population, with the highest concentrations in Pierce County around Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Kitsap County around the Naval Base, Spokane County around Fairchild Air Force Base, and the smaller communities surrounding NAS Whidbey Island.

How to Join a Veterans Post in Washington

Joining a Washington American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, or DAV organization begins with locating the appropriate post through the respective state department. The Washington Department of the American Legion maintains its headquarters in Olympia. American Legion membership requires honorable service during a congressionally designated war era, with current eligibility extending continuously from World War I forward. Washington posts process applications during regular meetings or through department headquarters.

Annual dues in Washington posts typically range from 35 to 55 dollars. VFW membership requires foreign service or campaign medal qualification. AMVETS welcomes any honorably discharged veteran. Many Washington posts maintain robust auxiliary units, Sons of the American Legion squadrons, and Legion Riders chapters that conduct charity rides through the spectacular Pacific Northwest landscape.

The Washington Department's annual convention rotates among different Washington cities and serves as the major leadership event. Washington posts often maintain substantial facilities, particularly in the I-5 corridor, while smaller posts in eastern Washington maintain the close-knit character of agricultural community organizations.

Notable Washington Veterans in History

Washington State has produced numerous distinguished military veterans throughout its history. Senator Henry M. Jackson, the Everett native known as Scoop Jackson, served as a strong advocate for veterans and national defense throughout his long Senate career. General George Marshall served briefly at Fort Lewis early in his career.

Captain Robert Henry Best, a Tacoma native, served in World War II. The Washington Army National Guard's 161st Infantry Regiment, with lineage stretching back to the Spanish-American War, has produced numerous decorated soldiers across multiple conflicts. The 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team has deployed repeatedly since 2003 and produced numerous combat decorated soldiers. Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry, who lost his hand throwing back an enemy grenade in Afghanistan in 2008 saving fellow Rangers, served with the 75th Ranger Regiment based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Senator Patty Murray has championed veterans causes throughout her career. Admiral Tom Hayward, who served as Chief of Naval Operations, had Pacific Fleet ties through Bremerton. Astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, while primarily known for her NASA career, has Washington connections.

Frequently Asked Questions: Washington Veterans Posts

Sources & Further Reading

• https://www.legion.org
• https://www.walegion.org
• https://www.vfw.org
• https://www.amvets.org
• https://www.va.gov
• https://www.dva.wa.gov
• https://www.dav.org