Wyoming Veterans Posts

About Veterans Organizations in Wyoming

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

History of Veterans Organizations in Wyoming

Wyoming may be the smallest state by population in the United States, but its veterans community ranks among the most active per capita anywhere in the nation, reflecting the Cowboy State's enduring military heritage and the strategic position of F.E. Warren Air Force Base as one of three Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile installations. The state's military tradition stretches back to its territorial period when the Army garrisoned posts at Fort Laramie, Fort Caspar, Fort Bridger, and Fort D.A. Russell, the last of which became F.E.

Warren Air Force Base. These nineteenth century frontier posts protected emigrant trails, mediated relations with Plains Indian tribes, and provided the foundational military presence in what would become Wyoming. The state's small population produced disproportionately high rates of military service during the Spanish-American War and World War I, with Wyoming National Guard units serving in both conflicts. By the time the American Legion was chartered by Congress in September 1919, Wyoming had supplied substantial numbers of doughboys to the American Expeditionary Force, and the Wyoming Department of the American Legion organized rapidly during 1919 and 1920.

Charter posts in Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, and Sheridan formed the initial network. Fort D.A. Russell, originally established in 1867 to protect Union Pacific Railroad construction, was renamed Fort Francis E. Warren in 1930 to honor the Wyoming senator and Civil War Medal of Honor recipient who had championed the post.

The post transferred from the Army to the Air Force in 1947 and became F.E. Warren Air Force Base, eventually transitioning to its current ICBM mission. The 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren operates 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles distributed across silos in eastern Wyoming, western Nebraska, and northern Colorado, representing one third of the American land-based nuclear deterrent.

This unique strategic mission means that Wyoming hosts a small but critical active duty community, and as airmen retire from F.E. Warren many remain in Cheyenne and surrounding communities, contributing substantial membership to local Legion, VFW, and AMVETS posts. The Wyoming Army National Guard's units have deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other operations since 2001, maintaining the state's tradition of military service. Wyoming's small population means that veterans organizations often serve as the central community institution in their towns, and the state's per-capita Legion membership is among the highest in the nation.

Oldest and Most Historic Posts in Wyoming

Several Wyoming American Legion posts trace their charters to the founding period of 1919 and 1920. Cheyenne Post 6, located in the state capital and adjacent to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, has operated continuously since the immediate post-World War I period and represents one of the most active posts in Wyoming. Casper Post 2, serving the Natrona County oil town that grew rapidly during the 1920s petroleum boom, became a substantial post drawing membership from oilfield workers and refinery veterans.

Laramie Post 14 served the University of Wyoming community and Albany County. Sheridan Post 7 in northern Wyoming served the cattle ranching and railroad community. Rock Springs Post in Sweetwater County, originally serving the coal mining community, drew diverse membership from the immigrant workers who had served during World War I. Rawlins Post in Carbon County, Cody Post in Park County, and Powell Post all trace their origins to the early 1920s.

Smaller Wyoming posts in towns including Buffalo, Worland, Riverton, Lander, Thermopolis, Torrington, Wheatland, Douglas, Newcastle, and Sundance all served their county-level veteran populations through the twentieth century. Many Wyoming posts maintain modest post homes that serve as the singular community institution capable of hosting weddings, funerals, town meetings, and patriotic ceremonies in towns where the Legion post may be the only such facility for many miles. The Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration, the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration, has historically partnered with local Legion and VFW posts on patriotic ceremonies and Memorial Day events.

VFW Posts in Wyoming: A Closer Look

The Wyoming VFW Department traces its origins to the immediate post-World War I period and has maintained a steady network of posts throughout the state's vast geography. Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, and Sheridan host the largest VFW concentrations, with smaller posts scattered throughout the state's twenty-three counties. The Wyoming VFW Department coordinates scholarship programs, supports the Wyoming Veterans Home at Buffalo, and conducts legislative advocacy at the Wyoming State Legislature in Cheyenne. The Korean War and Vietnam generations contributed substantial membership to Wyoming VFW posts, and the post-9/11 generation has joined alongside continuing F.E.

Warren Air Force Base retirees. The Wyoming VFW operates buddy poppy distribution campaigns each year that fund veterans charitable activities. The state's vast geography and small population mean that some Wyoming VFW posts serve veterans across thousands of square miles, with members traveling significant distances to attend meetings and events. The post-9/11 generation, including many veterans who deployed with the Wyoming Army National Guard, has reinvigorated several Wyoming VFW posts.

AMVETS, DAV, and Other Veterans Organizations in Wyoming

AMVETS established a presence in Wyoming during the late 1940s with World War II veterans, though the small state organization has remained modest in size. AMVETS posts in Cheyenne and a few other communities serve the core membership. The Wyoming AMVETS Department focuses on legislative advocacy and direct service to veterans. The Disabled American Veterans organization maintains a stronger presence in Wyoming relative to AMVETS, with chapters in major Wyoming cities and an active state department.

The Wyoming DAV operates transportation programs that move disabled veterans to the Cheyenne VA Medical Center, the Sheridan VA Medical Center, and the Casper community-based outpatient clinic. DAV service officers throughout Wyoming assist veterans with disability claims and benefits questions, and the organization partners closely with the Wyoming Veterans Affairs Commission on benefits outreach across the state's vast distances.

Wyoming Veterans Posts by the Numbers

Wyoming is home to approximately 47,000 veterans according to recent VA estimates, the smallest absolute number of veterans of any state but representing a substantial percentage of the state's small overall population. The Wyoming Department of the American Legion maintains roughly 65 active posts spread across all twenty-three counties, with combined membership estimated near 6,500. The Wyoming VFW Department operates approximately 35 active posts with membership around 4,000, while AMVETS maintains a small network of posts. The Wyoming DAV maintains over 10 chapters.

Veterans represent approximately 9 percent of Wyoming's adult population, one of the higher rates in the nation despite the small absolute numbers. Wyoming's per-capita Legion membership consistently ranks among the highest in the nation, reflecting the active veterans culture and the central role of Legion posts in small Wyoming communities.

How to Join a Veterans Post in Wyoming

Joining a Wyoming American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, or DAV organization begins with locating the appropriate post through the respective state department. The Wyoming Department of the American Legion maintains its headquarters in Cheyenne. American Legion membership requires honorable service during a congressionally designated war era, with current eligibility extending continuously from World War I forward. Wyoming posts welcome DD-214 documentation and process applications during regular meetings.

Annual dues in Wyoming posts typically range from 25 to 45 dollars. VFW membership requires foreign service or campaign medal qualification. AMVETS welcomes any honorably discharged veteran. Many Wyoming posts maintain auxiliary units for spouses and family members.

The Wyoming Department's annual convention rotates among different Wyoming cities and serves as the major leadership event despite the modest size of the state organization. Wyoming posts often maintain modest but well-loved post homes that double as community centers, and the strong tradition of small-town civic life in Wyoming extends naturally into Legion post operations where members often hold multiple offices and conduct hands-on community service from cemetery maintenance to youth athletics sponsorship to military funeral honors with traveling honor guard teams that cover entire counties.

Notable Wyoming Veterans in History

Wyoming has produced distinguished military veterans throughout its history despite the state's small population. Senator Francis E. Warren, after whom F.E. Warren Air Force Base is named, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Civil War as a private in the 49th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, making him the only sitting United States Senator to hold the Medal of Honor during his time in office.

Major General Mark Hertling, while not a Wyoming native, retired in Wyoming and remained involved with state veterans causes. Senator Mike Enzi, while not a combat veteran, championed veterans causes throughout his Senate career. Vice President Dick Cheney, the Casper resident who served as Secretary of Defense and Vice President, did not serve in the military but championed many veterans causes. The Wyoming Army National Guard has produced numerous decorated soldiers across multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wyoming hunters and outdoorsmen have historically served in disproportionate numbers as Army Special Forces operators, Marine Corps reconnaissance Marines, and Navy SEALs given their familiarity with rugged terrain, marksmanship traditions, and outdoor survival skills. The 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren has produced numerous distinguished missileers and missile maintenance airmen who have helped maintain the American nuclear deterrent for decades. Wyoming Frontier Cavalry traditions trace through the original Fort D.A.

Russell garrisons that opened the state to settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions: Wyoming Veterans Posts

Sources & Further Reading

• https://www.legion.org
• https://www.wylegion.org
• https://www.vfw.org
• https://www.amvets.org
• https://www.va.gov
• https://www.wyomilitary.wyo.gov
• https://www.dav.org