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AMERICAN WAR DADS

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AMERICAN WAR DADS. The American War Dads was formed in 1942 by a group of 40 men in Kansas City, Kansas at the suggestion of Nat Milgram whose son, an Army Captain, was overseas at the time. The group worked together to help their sons and daughters in the Armed Forces.

American War Dads grew to 500 Chapters in 42 states and a membership of 70,000. American War Dads is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, and non-profit organization. Since the start of American War Dads, the organization also started helping not only active duty personnel, but also veterans and their local communities. (1)

Our Objectives

To recognize and develop the Loyalty, Dignity and Love embodied in the relationship between parents and their sons and daughters;

To inspire, teach and practice Love of God, Love of Country and Love of Home;

To energetically support and maintain the Constitution of the United States of America, and our American Form of Government, together with its Traditions and Ideals, to the end that our American Way of Life shall not be lost;

To back and support our sons and daughters who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces;

To aid our sons and daughters in their rehabilitation;

To build a better Community, a stronger State, a finer Nation, and a more understanding World;

To work for a Just and Lasting Peace.

Our Inheritance

Our sons and daughters who served or are now serving, gave us the privilege of membership. We must not disregard our inherent right. It was paid for in sacrifice and devotion: it deserves our recognition and assistance.

American War Dads have a common basis of understanding and obligation. They represent a Unified Democracy, dedicated to the service of others. Our Program

To service the needs of those disabled in our behalf;

To relieve the distress of needy widows and orphans;

To fight the causes of juvenile delinquency and guide the footsteps of our junior citizens;

To exercise our citizen rights by insisting that those who solicit our support be Americans first and partisans second;

To combat complacency and fight fearlessly all subversive elements, seeking to sap our strength and endanger our way of life;

To Keep our Nation Christian and Free;

To keep our flag proudly flying, to the end the generations, yet unborn, may view its glory;

To search out and destroy the causes of war in order that all may, eventually, enjoy the reality of a “Just and Lasting Peace.” United Effort

This is an organization where mothers and fathers/men and women side by side, can unitedly serve the same cause. Marriage vows and a common pride and devotion make possible a harmony of effort, unequalled, by the Dads and Auxiliary.

To what Star are you entitled? If Gold join us in perpetuating the ideals for which he fought; if Blue help us to help him safeguard the America that he defended. (2)


On February 22, 1945 twenty-five charter members of the Key City chapter of American War Dads held their initial meeting in the VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS HALL. Temporary officers were to be chosen in two weeks. In the days between other fathers, fathers-in-laws, foster-fathers and step-fathers would be eligible to join the national organization. George R. MURPHY was chosen as the temporary president. (3)

In February 1946 the local chapter resolved to take action on the shortage of homes for returning veterans and had already lined up two houses. At the same meeting the housing announcement was made, the chapter was presented a silk American flag by the local auxiliary of the United Spanish War Veterans. (4)

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Source:

1. American War Dads, Online: arielunicorn.wixsite.com/americanwardads

2. Ibid.

3. "Form Chapter U. S. War Dads," Telegraph Herald, February 25, 1945, p. 4

4. "War Dads Plan to Hunt Homes," Telegraph Herald, February 3, 1946, p 12