Chartered in 1957, the James E Rosselot Post #5785 offers a wide range of services to support veterans in our community. We work closely with local organizations to ensure that our veterans have access to the resources they need to thrive. Our team is made up of veterans and supporters who are passionate supporting those who have served our country.

Our members are Veterans that served honorably in U.S. wars on foreign soil. We are dedicated to serving veterans and their families. Our motto is "Honor the Dead by Taking Care of the Living.” Listed below are a few of the services we provide to Veterans in the Tri-Cities:

· Military Funeral Honors at Veterans funerals with a Gun Salute, Taps, Flag presentation, and a tribute ceremony

· Flag Ceremonies on holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day. We attend Parades (Benton Franklin Fair and Annual Regional Veterans parade). Other examples of Flag ceremonies include: Tri-City Dust Devils Baseball, Tri-City Americans Hockey, Washington State Parks and Recreation, Washington State University Tri-Cities graduation, and new facility openings (Amazon, Chick-fil-A)

· Provide for the proper disposal of U.S. flags that are worn or badly soiled.

· Support Welcome Home Ceremonies of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen returning from combat zones.

· We speak at local schools, support all local JROTC programs, and provide a meeting place for the Columbia River Young Marines drills and training

· We sponsor the Voice of Democracy (grades 9–12) and Patriots’ Pen (grades 4-8) essay contests.

· We provide emergency assistance and relief services to veterans of our community. We also provide Christmas baskets and other holiday meals for veterans with families in need, and visit hospitalized veterans and veterans in need to provide them with comfort and support.

· Member of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce

· Assist veterans, widows and orphans in obtaining rightful benefits from the federal or state governments.

· We distribute "poppies” to assist needy or disabled veterans, members of the armed services and their dependents.

· We support our Teachers with a Teacher of the Year award and support local clubs such as Pacific Northwest Mustang Club

· We support individual and group counseling where the post provides a safe, well-known neutral place for veterans to collaborate ideas, share, and advise other veterans seeking assistance.

· The Post supports the local Veterans Therapeutic Court as court mentors

· Proud to support the annual Wreaths Across America event.

· Assisting in numerous Veteran’s Day activities such as color guard or participation at various memorials such as the Regional Veteran’s Memorial in Columbia Park, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Carmichael Memorial.

· We conduct an Annual dinner event open to the public to honor veterans The only sources of funding for VFW programs are members’ dues, fund raisers, and donations from local residents and businesses. The VFW can especially use your help if you wish to volunteer in some of our many events and projects. Our Veteran ranks are getting larger every day.

The VFW is a tax-exempt organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue designation 501(c). As such, any contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We welcome your input, vision, and suggestions. You are welcome to visit the Post at any time

Historically, the VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them and they were left to care for themselves.

In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000. 

Since then, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.

Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week. 

From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.