History of VFW Post 9167 — Princeton, Texas

 

VFW Post 9167, also known locally as Bois D’Arc Post 9167, has been a longstanding pillar of veteran service and community involvement in Princeton, Texas. The post traces its roots back to 1947, marking a legacy of support and camaraderie among service members and veterans in Collin County. The community came together in May 2022 to celebrate the post’s 75th anniversary, commemorating decades of service, outreach, remembrance, and fellowship with the public at Veterans Memorial Park.  

Over the years, Post 9167 has remained active well beyond traditional meetings, engaging in local activities such as sponsoring student essay contests, organizing trash cleanups after Princeton High School football games, and participating in community flag ceremonies and patriotic education events at the Princeton Public Library.  

The post’s work isn’t confined to Princeton alone; its members have joined with neighboring posts—such as collaborating with Plano’s VFW Post 4380—to honor fallen soldiers, reinforcing shared traditions of honor and remembrance that bind posts nationwide.  

In addition to the post itself, the VFW Auxiliary associated with Post 9167 formed in 2018, adding strength to the post’s mission by focusing on improving the lives of veterans, their families, and the wider community. By supporting veterans’ programs and charitable activities, the Auxiliary complements the post’s longstanding commitment to service.  

Nationally, the VFW was founded in 1899 by veterans returning from foreign service and was federally chartered in 1936. Its purpose has always been fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational — a mission that Post 9167 in Princeton has embodied locally for generations.  

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.