Are organizations such as the American Legion and VFW serving or alienating current Veterans?

The American Legion in SW Houston is slow. I've been a member since October last year and have not been advised of even one meeting. Anytime I call, I get no answer.

The VFW just 12 miles to the west of me is active, but it seems their efforts focus on charities that are not directly involved with Vets.

I am a member of the VFW, but the most I get out of it is a magizine and they do lobby for veterans in Washington. I also belong to DAV and PVA both of these organizations helped me tremendously with VA representation and getting my home wheelchair accessible. I can't Thank them enough for helping my transition and helping me through a long and difficult recovery and road to mobility.

I've been a member of the American Legion for 23 years (since I got out of the Navy). Because I never served overseas, I am not eligible for VFW. I am also a life member of AMVETS.

Both of our posts (AL and AMVETS) are working hard to be inclusive. Our Commanders have been "younger" (under 60) for most of the past few years with a few in their 40's (like me). Because of my job, I'm unable to do a lot for the AL, but I do maintain the AMVETS website for the Department of Minnesota (http://www.mn-amvets.org). I am pleased that our local chapters are working on including the younger members.

Our VFW post shut down due to low membership.

As others have stated, it would be nice to have all local chapters embrace change and bring new people in. It's too bad they don't.

I have been a member for many years of both. Wherever I move I always joined the local posts.

2 years ago I let my membership lapse and probably never join again. Why, because they are out of touch, lost their way and have no motivation to pull together and support the Veterans.

I can remember years back when these organizations spoke politicians listened intently. Now they are not even recognized in Washington, DC.

Sad truth is most Posts have become a place where a Vet can get a cheap drink and maybe a couple of War Stories.

I spent a couple years on the Wxecutive Commitee of an American Legion and for entire year we spent the our time arguing over how we wanted the new bar built and of course everyone had their own opinion.

If these organizations would work together, bring in younger veterans and allow them to transform these old bars IMAGINE THE POLITICAL CLOUT WE VETERANS COULD BRING TO DC????

These organizations are going to be a lost memory if they don't reorganize and get back on track. It's sad really bc there are anough of us to scare the hell out of DC.

For those who read this I know what you are thinking, why don't you join and change it. I have and they were happy with there little bar and that is that. Hopefully they will change and I will again join and do my part. We are all getting older and there won't be anyone left to keep it going. SAD BUT TRUE.

Never been to one

I have been a member of several American Legion posts for over 30 yrs. due to the course of different military re-locations. I was active in some and just paid dues to remain a member in others due to a feeling of maybe I don't belong. I joined way back when Vietnam vets were treated somewhat less welcomed.

I have written letters to both local and national levels of the AL, and dropped off letters to local posts during my retirement travels, requesting them to petition the Al to amend the preamble to include all veterans by including the following.

Part of the preamble includes the words " great wars". With all do respect to those who fought so gallantly in WWII, there hasn't been a " Congressionally" declared war since WWII.

I have requested that the words "and conflicts" be added to the preamble after " great wars" so as to include combat actions in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Somalia, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, War on Terror (non-declared officially) etc., and all those other operations not declared as wars by Congress, although American blood has been spilled in all those places.

All Honorably discharged vets are eligible to join the Legion, and I feel this action would close an invisible hole in the generation gap, which would make more of the younger service members feel more of a part of an organization that is made up of all "brothers in arms", young and old.

I have written a letters to the editor of American Legion Magazine (who did not print it) in the letters to the editor section of the magazine. I did however, receive a letter from National Headquarters stating that a petition would be required to accomplish this.

If you agree, have your post submit a petition to your state headquarters, who hopefully will forward it to National and make the change possible. If this is done by ALL Posts through out the nation, maybe change will take place and membership would rise..

I walked into my local VFW and there was nothing that appealed to me. They have no wifi, computers, or video games.

In my opinion it all depends on the chapter you go to that decides what you get out of it. I know that the VFW Chapter I joined is mainly Vietnam era Soldiers, but we still go into the community and volunteer and I have benefited from the assistance the VFW provides to Veterans.

I'd say they're falling behind by outdated industry practices. I'd say that RallyPoint is the digital version.

American Legion, VFW, MOAA, IAVA, SVA, and the many other organizations all share one large footprint, servicemen and women past and present. We also all share the cause of building an effective service organization that helps our local community to be veteran focused and friendly.

It seems universal that younger vets are aligning themselves with organizations they create. They see a synergy since the organizations founded by their peers, and are focused on what they view are their needs for their stage in life.

However, is that really so different from what today's older vets looked for when they were younger?

We all want to have a place where we can go individually or with family to spend some of the precious little time that isn't consumed by working, keeping up the house and yard, or taking care of life's issues. We'd like a place that offers activities, such as playing sports, watching sports, club activities, or family events such as BBQs with kid friendly activities on national holidays. We'd also like to know that our dues and elected post officials are using our resources to help vets in need.

The AL, VFW, MOAA, Subvets, Marine Corps League, etc are already doing a lot if not all of that. If one post isn't doing it, likely another 30 minutes or less down the road is.

I can understand why someone doesn't feel like he or she alone wants to take on the role of change agent at the local post which seems so disconnected from what they seek in a club, but will they find it in another place, and are there really other dedicated venues that rival these established posts in terms of being veteran focused?

As commander of our local AL post I called IAVA six times over three years and offered they could meet at a separate time from the Legion meeting, with no pressure to join, they never even called back. The sub-vets took me up on the offer, as did the Marine Corps League. I was baffled, but suppose that the local chapter isn't well enough organized or is wary of a hidden agenda. Don't be wary, seek partnerships; many times local AL or VFW posts are just looking to coalesce veterans even it they don't swell their own ranks, it's all part of service to the community.

Finally, the reality is that each AL, VFW or other organization at a post level hosts an election once a year to fill positions on an executive committee consisting of less than a dozen people; change is as easy as showing up with a handful of like minded men and women, nominate yourselves for several roles and create a voting block. Don't like smoking, want a specific veteran service focus, want to see more family oriented events? Make a motion, hold a vote, build the future.

It's members who define who we are at a post (community) level. It's almost ironic in a way, we're all vets, we all lived the mindset that we don't wait for change, we take the lead and make change. So why look at these organizations and feel disenfranchised?