Born from the belief that America needs to care for the children and families of men and women who sacrificed for our country, the VFW National Home is a place of healing, support and refuge. It was founded in 1925 as a place where the families left behind by war could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their servicemember didn’t come home. Today’s families face different challenges — reintegration, post-traumatic stress, high unemployment and rehabilitation from battlefield injuries, among others — and the National Home has evolved over our decades-long history to meet those changing needs.

THE BEGINNING

The origins of today’s VFW National Home can be traced to a 23-year-old woman named Amy Ross. In 1922, Ross made it her mission to help find jobs for the thousands of unemployed veterans in Detroit. News of Ross’ efforts reached millionaire cattleman Corey Spencer, who gifted 472 acres of land near Eaton Rapids, Michigan, to build on Ross’ vision of supporting veterans. On Jan. 7, 1925, the VFW National Home was founded, helping to fulfill the VFW pledge to "honor the dead by helping the living.” Later that spring, the Home welcomed its first family in an old frame farmhouse, Mrs. Pollett and her six children. Pollett had become suddenly widowed and lost her husband’s military pension.

THROUGH THE YEARS

Since its founding, the VFW National Home has grown from an old frame farmhouse to a sprawling campus with playgrounds; park areas; and multiple buildings, including single-family homes, a community center and gymnasium, childcare facility, guest lodge, chapel, and administrative offices. Over the years, the National Home has evolved to meet the changing needs of America’s military and veterans’ families. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the National Home’s commitment to honor our nation’s veterans and active-duty military by providing help and hope for their children and families.