Celebrating a VFW milestone.(command post)(veterans of foreign wars)(American Veterans of Foreign Service)(Column)

VFW marks a milestone this month--the 100th anniversary of its magazine. It comes at a time when a new generation of vets needs a voice.

VFW has every right to be especially proud this Veterans Day. VFW magazine has been the voice of the overseas veteran for a century now. In November 1904, the first issue of the magazine's predecessor publication appeared for members of a fledgling organization called the American Veterans of Foreign Service.

Though few Americans know it today and only a handful was aware of it even back then, the nation was engaged in a war with fanatical Muslims in the southern Philippines in 1904. Teddy Roosevelt was President, and he was determined that veterans of that war (then in its second year) be treated with respect.

Fatefully, a similar situation exists today. The difference now is that there is a highly respected organization available to meet the needs of veterans returning from the war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq. And VFW's magazine is still here 100 years later to ensure recognition and respect for them.

From humble beginnings as a 4-page newsletter, The American Veteran of Foreign Service evolved into a magazine that is counted among the top 50 publications (in terms of circulation) in the United States. That is something to boast about considering the fact that 21,000 magazines are published in this country each year.

For 10 decades--through five lengthy wars and numerous smaller campaigns-VFW magazine and its predecessors have taken up the cudgels on behalf of war veterans. ...