Do you think the American Legion and the VFW need to adapt to the time?

SSG Jeffrey Spencer - keep bringing them up but bring a plausible solution as well

I have to agree with SSG V that probably the greatest obstacle in Veterans Organizations is participation of the members. I have been a 20 year member of the American Legion, and Life Member of both the DAV and VFW. Over the years I have witnessed fund raising only being contacted by a select few members.

Now I realize that perhaps scheduling, physical limitations can affect members wanting to actually help these organizations. At my old VFW Post only 2 or 3 of us could be counted to man the Raffle Booths and or Recruiting Table. This was really a sad testament about the membership on a whole; sure only some of us could be relied upon.

I wish I could offer a magic bullet to end this problem; but as a former Post Adjutant, Post Commander, and at my current VFW Post former Junior Vice-Commander I see the problem lies in the culture of the Posts. I'm not promoting the offering bribes and such; just making the working at events something that is recognized for for the benefit and helping of the Posts.

Come on my brothers and sisters we volunteered to serve this great nation before; what's the big deal helping our Veterans Organization Posts out.

Here, here!! Thanks for your post!

Exactly!!!

SSG Jeffrey Spencer I'm assuming you filed for VA compensation in the past. While I'm not an expert, I can honestly tell you that if you have an issue that is service related, it's on you to prove the issue many times. If you would like to revisit the issue, I'll be glad to offer help and/or support.

As for BSA - been a supporter for decades. Earned my Eagle, member of the Tatanka Lodge/Order of the Arrow. Welcome.

I have a C&P rating of 10%. I severely deteriorated my knees running in the Army and they rejected that. I have appealed and am waiting on a hearing for 3 years since I wrote my final appeal. I supported this with statements from 2 doctors, one a retired military ortho doc. There's just been no action at all.

My other is with the GI Bill. I enlisted to gain college benefits. I gave 8 years and they barely gave me 2 for college before Congress let the law sunset with no provision for extensions. I feel totally screwed on that one.

I recently affiliated with the VFW in my hometown, and like you, got a refreshingly warm welcome reception at my joining. (I'm my Post's first female!) If we want them to enter the 21st-century, then we as OIF/OEF vets have the responsibility to not only join, but be ACTIVE participants and become the change that we want to see in the organization.

Ladies, in many instances, you bring valuable input to the VFWs and AL Posts. Female membership really didn't begin until the establishment of the All Volunteer Force after Vietnam and even then, there was pushback from the older population of the time. Most VFW and AL Posts have younger members that know what changes occurred to allow Women to Serve in the same capacity as men. And we are more aware of the struggle women service members face. But unless you step forward and be assertive, chances are rather good still you may not get full recognition for what you bring to the table. But you and your services are valued Please encourage your sisters in service to consider looking into the Veterans organizations, be it the DAV, SVA, IAVA, VVA as well as the VFW and AL.

Wow.... MSgt Joseph Haynes excellent question! Why should one join anything? I asked the same question. If you're eligible, then do some looking around, talk to people in the organzation(s) - not just the lumps sitting at the bar.

For instance - the VFW is specifically enjoined to help our veterans, both AD and those who have served. Yes, there are VFW's out there that are outdated - nothing more than bars. But that fact does NOT have to be the end-all. If you find you and men/women like yourself in an area with a Service Organization (that's technically what VFW/DAV/etc are) has become nothing more than a bar and a bunch of old, tired, do-nothings, may I suggest you gather a bunch of individuals like youself, join said organization and run the show. Adjust, Adapt, Overcome. Many of these individuals in the organization are exhausted - to say nothing of being old (average age in my VFW is 74).

What do you gain from joining? Being among individuals like yourself that have "been there, done that" for one. Can't tell you how tired I get trying to explain the unexplainable to an ignorant public. Then there's the old saw of giving back to one's community. Reminding those who do NOT know the facts of service to one's country of the price paid on their behalf. Keeping faith with those who have served - for instance; at each meeting of the VFW there is a question: "Is there a comrade or the family of a comrade who is in distress?" This question is asked 3 times to allow anyone who is in need to speak up and ask for help. It also allows a member to inform the group of a veteran or an active duty servicemember who has unmet needs in the community. Sometimes it's a simple thing like helping the wife of an active duty SM overseas with several children get to and from a doctor's appointment while their only car is being repaired. Or driving a homeless veteran to a VA Clinic for help or health care. Or getting trained in order to become a Service Officer so you can legally and legitimately help a veteran, like yourself, manage a claim with the morass called the Veterans Administration. The list is entirely too long for me to go into in this forum.

Personally, it doesn't matter what organization you join - if you don't like what you see move on, find one that meets your needs. Better yet, use those skills you learned and earned in service to our country and be a leader and catalyst of change.

We have a huge challenge coming quicker than anyone is ready for. Hundreds of thousands may be looking for a place to sit and chat and get help or help others.......our Veteran Service Organizations are the best answer.

SFC (Join to see) You are right. And some of them are not put up for those positions for like a few years because of the old guard not wanting to change. It will take some time but I am sure the more young pups get put into positions, then the times will start changing. Oh, by the way, since your from CT, like myself, do you know what the Cromwell post commander did? I heard he made the post non smoking and thier membership jumped along with members actually coming to the post for functions and the like. He even added a few things to the post too. Now I have not been there, but if it worked for them, it can work anywhere.

PO1 (Join to see) - PO1.....Welcome to the new generation. I really enjoyed reading your words. They are right on target! So many of our younger generation these days ask the same thing: What benefit do I get from joining organizations like the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans? What's in it for ME?....instead of: What can I do for you? I am 59 years old, from the older generations that believe in these long standing institutions and military organization....that's why I joined....to be a part of and in the lives of our own kind.....veterans....and to help one another....helping our veterans anyway I can. Like President Kennedy stated: Ask NOT what your Country can do for YOU.....Ask....What YOU can do for your Country. No wonder these institutions are declining in attendance. We live in a "Gimmie...Gimmie" generation. What's in it for ME.

MSG Wade Huffman Well said sir!

AMEN!!!!

Here, here!! Well said.

That is true it don't come easy but change have taken place as they now show the faces of the younger veterans on their brochures and some of the programs.  

That is a great point MSG!  People need to look around and figure out which group works for him/her.  Lord knows, Steel City Vets isn't the best fit for everyone.  Some people may like what the DAV, VFW, Legion, WWP or other groups have to offer over another one.  Research is key that is for!

Change comes faster with involvement. The More People we get that have served during the last 25 years the faster change will happen

This is a great topic to talk about. In fact I am a part of a great orgization that bridges the very gap your are talking about. check out the site read u about what we are and what we do. If this is something that you might be interested let me know or you can just simply follow the directions to see how too join. Best part it is free. If you choose to join be sure too let them know who told you about it.
http://www.warriorpointe.org/.

PO2 Robert Sturgis You mean to tell me that Maryland's VFW posts (and for that matter all private clubs) did not get an exemption clause in the state law? That's amazing. In all the states that have banned smoking in restaurants and bars, they put an exemption clause in there. And I know that the National commander left it up to state and local posts to either go smokeless or not. That is just incredible.

Robert, Please check us out, we are also looking for leadership in your state and with your connections we good do great things together.

Yes, TSgt Scott Hurley There are no exemptions to the smoking law. Posts have outdoor smoking areas and has really helped with the air quality within the posts. It was a rough time at first but has generally worked out. I still smoke (Really about the dumbest thing I have ever done and need to quit again), but I believe it is the right thing to do.

That's what I'm talking about! Be part of the solution!! We just need more like you!

Any organization should adapt or die on the Vine. I belong to the Big Four (VFW, Am Legion, Am Vets, DAV) and Masonry. I tell all these organizations that Status Quo mind sets will doom themselves to obscurity. When asked the What's or Why's I explain that they must continue to make their organizations appeal to individuals in such a manner that the prospective candidate will make room for them (the Orgs)in their already tight schedule. Modern Men (and Women) have extreme demands on their time. Joining an organization places additional demands on the already scarce available time. Organization cannot appeal to all by design, but, it will appeal to some. Just make it worth their and your while!

I went to school in Waverly, NY. But am an uncle of Joel Stephens who had played football at Elmira Notre Dame.   Like Ernie Davis,  he died.  And what if you do not smoke?  lol