Catholic War Veterans

Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America

Official Emblem
Formation	May 19, 1935 (1935-05-19)
Founder	Monsignor Edward J. Higgins
Founded at	Astoria, New York
Purpose	Veterans Service Organization
Headquarters	Alexandria, Virginia
Membership	c. 7,500
Bishop Protector	Bishop Richard B. Higgins
National Commander	Arminda Crawford
National Chaplain	Msgr. Edward Coyle
Subsidiaries	Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary
Website	cwv.org

Catholic War Veterans (officially called the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America) is a national service organization comprised of baptized Catholics that have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Founded in 1935, the Catholic War Veterans are dedicated to serving all service members regardless and their families regardless of their religion. Membership in the Catholic War Veterans is open to baptized Catholics, male or female, who have served on Active Duty for a period of at least 90 days, in the reserve component, or National Guard, or are currently on active duty in any branch of the military, specific war time service is not required.

History

File:Msgr. Higgins.png

Msgr. Edward J. Higgins, Founder of the Catholic War Veterans

In 1935, Monsignor Edward J. Higgins a World War I veteran saw the need for an organization to serve veterans and uphold the Catholic faith. Monsignor Higgins gathered parishioners who had served in World War I together at Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria Queens, New York. This event is recognized as the first meeting of the Catholic War Veterans. On May 19, 1935 the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. In 1935 Monsignor Higgins journeyed to Rome where Pope Pius XI bestowed his blessing upon the Catholic War Veterans, and blessed the American and Papal flags of the organization. In July 1940 The Catholic War Veterans was officially recognized as a Veterans Organization by the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation on August 17, 1984 granting the Catholic War Veterans a Congressional Charter, being the 59th group to receive a Federal Charter, and the first explicitly religious organization to receive the honor. Following World War II CWV membership surpassed 500,000 members. The organization advocated for veterans benefits and took care of the families of men who had died in the war. During the Cold War Catholic War Veterans actively fought against the spread of communism in the United States. The Catholic War Veterans continues to serve all veterans including those returning from the Global War on Terror.

Auxiliary

The Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary is composed of the family of service members and veterans. The Auxiliary works side by side with the veterans serving their community, and those who have served in the armed forces.

National Shrine

Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria, New York where Monsignor Higgins founded the Catholic War Veterans has been designated the National Shrine of the Catholic War Veterans. The building was built in 1950 and designed by Henry J. McGill, one of the era’s leading church architects. There are two cornerstones, one on either side of the main entrance. The one to the left of the door as you approach is the 1950 date stone. To the right is the CWV stone which depicts the original cross logo of the Catholic War Veterans. The church also includes a number of stained glass windows that commemorate the Catholic War Veterans.

Honor Legion of the Order of St. Sebastian

St. Sebastian an early martyr of the Church and a Roman soldier is the patron saint of the Catholic War Veterans. The Honor Legion of the Order of Saint Sebastian is the highest honor award given by the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America to honor a Catholic Veteran who has gone above and beyond the standard responsibilities of his post serving God, Country, and Home.

Notable Members

John F. Kennedy - 35th President of the United States of America

Arminda Crawford - National Commander (2015-2017) First Woman to lead a national veterans organization.

President John F. Kennedy accepts a plaque commemorating the President’s induction into the Catholic War Veterans Order of St. Sebastian.

See Also

Catholic War Veterans Triangle

External links

• Home Page
• Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc. : hearing before the Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Ninety-eighth Congress, second session, on H.R. 1199 ... March 21, 1984.