In 1966, Commander-in-Chief Leslie M. Fry pointed out the need for dynamic programs. "The morale of any organization is based on its achievements," he proclaimed. "Without worthwhile programs, we have no reason to exist."
This committee's first undertaking was to encourage the posts to sponsor a National Safety Council course in driver improvement for licensed drivers. By 1968, twenty-five departments were offering the course to both VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members. To assist younger drivers (the bicycle pedaling crowd), the Safety Committee took over the popular "Lite a Bike" program established by the Youth Activities program. The 3M Company furnished free reflective tape to posts who conducted Lite a Bike rodeos and roundups during which bicycles were given safety inspections. By 1968, well over 16 million bicycles had been marked with reflective safety tape. As more manufacturers began offering bicycles with reflective paint and reflective disks on the spokes, this program began shifting its emphasis to teaching safe riding habits to bicyclists. The program then became known as the "Veterans of Foreign Wars Bicycle Safety Program." In 1968, the Ladies Auxiliary adopted the Safety Program as one of its major projects. With their help, that year the VFW supported the nationwide drive for reflective license plates. State police, county sheriffs, city police, and concerned citizens from all over the nation also joined in the campaign. Eventually, some state legislatures adopted the idea, while others did not.
In 1973, the Safety Program started a new program titled "Veterans of Foreign Wars Drug Abuse Program." This program, which was renamed "Veterans Fight Drugs Program" in the 1989 to 1990 year, encourages posts and auxiliaries to sponsor seminars and distribute anti-drug literature. In 1982, the National Convention added a new program - Hunter Safety. The purpose of the Hunter Education Program is to promote responsible, ethical hunter conduct; to emphasize the importance of wildlife management, laws, and regulations; and to provide instruction in the safe handling of hunting equipment. Hunters who successfully complete the course have a better understanding of their outdoor obligations to landowners, to natural resources, to other hunters, and to themselves.
Also in 1985, Bicycle Safety and Lite a Bike were combined into a single program. That left the Safety Program with the six programs that it sponsors to this day: Fire Prevention and Home Security, Drive to Survive, Bicycle Safety, Recognition and Public Commendation Certificates, Veterans Fight Drugs, and Hunter Safety. Making the world a better place in which to live has long been the dream of our nation's veterans. The VFW Safety Program is just another extension of those dreams.
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© VFW 1998 . Created by Lynn - Last Updated 29 Dec 2001
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