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

Every VFW post I have ever been to has been great. The beer is cheap and nobody asks why you are the way you are. I can say however, that all of their fundraising seems to be centered older members that are in need. They are completely out of touch with the new veterans, but at the same time I dont see any of the younger vets doing much to reach out either. ITs a shame too because there is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom from each generation being wasted.

Wonderful responses everyone. Another issue I have faced is these organizations do not seam to understand how important our families are. I can not speak for all of the Service Branches, but in the Army we stress family time. We are encouraged to inform our families of events and to include them in activities. The Legion and the VFW at my posts and surrounding areas simply want our families to know their place and hang out with the Auxiliaries. Our families have made bigger sacrifices to our service than we have. With that being said we need family activities and events. Not heavy drinking and whining about life.

Sgt Hiller, I am a life member of my local VFW after I retired from the National Guard I was hesitant because I have been in several Legion and VFW post meetings doing ATM work. Sometimes I had to actually cut my way through the smoke. Members of these organizations are not bad, but there is a certain political culture that has been built over the years.
I am very active in my post and we are gaining newer generations of veterans because we are an outward organization that is very involved in our community. We have an Honor Guard that performs around 8 to 10 veteran funerals per month, including homeless veterans.
We care about veterans of all generations and it is almost like being in the military from a camaraderie perspective with the dog and pony show that exists in the military. I believe we are trained to serve others and that obligation does not necessarily end when we get out of the military. Veteran organizations are a great way to stay involved and I urge any veteran to participate for the greater good of our communities throughout the nation. Don't let bad apples deter you from joining go in with a servants heart and you will be amazed at how quickly you infiltrate the ranks.

It was like that when I ETS'd back in '96. I had joined the VFW back in '92 after a huge infusion of Desert Storm veterans. I continued my membership and finally joined a VFW post when I got out into the civilian world. Needless to say, I was just a mere "baby" compared to the old war vets. I believe I was the youngest on that post. After a few meetings and some functions, I still felt out of place. I understand if they didn't know what to do with a "youngster" like my self. I didn't renew my membership after that.

It really is a generational thing. Once the old soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines of our past conflicts, in those organizations, "fade away", the new generation from OIF and OEF will then become the main members. Who knows? in 20, 30 40 years from now, there may be new generation of combat vets who claim that our generation is "out of touch". We would just need to mindful about that in the future.

TIME FOR CHANGE!  The rules. regulations, by-laws all need to be changed or omitted.  One of the big reasons we don't get new membership is because of the archaic rituals/rites/traditions.  The current military culture cannot adapt, nor does it need to, to all the "old order" stuff.  We need to modernize and get out of the WWl/WWll mentality.  We are NOT the Masons or Shriners!  By the way, I'm a Vietnam War Combat Infantryman who is also a VFW District Commander.

I was a member of the VFW, never really attended meetings, considering I didn't know what it was their for or what did they really do. How ever to my surprise one day a couple of members did come to my home and delivered me a nice turkey with everything that was needed to make a Thanksgiving dinner, something much appreciated at that time. So as I read every ones notes, I might consider renewing my membership with the intentions to see what they really do.

I have never been a member of the American Legion, but did join the VFW shortly after moving back to Madison following my ETS in 2004.  At some point I also joined DAV, but cannot recall how long ago that was.  My experience with most veterans organizations is that, from a social standpoint, although their value to younger veterans varies widely on a case-by-case basis the majority appear to be largely organized, operated, and managed by members who are a bit older.  Some of this has to do with factor such as that fraternal organizations were more popular during previous generations, older individuals tend to have more time and disposable income to devote to such activities, and there were simply less social options available during previous times.  I am a member of other non-military organizations that are dealing with the same issue.  

SGT Nathaniel Hiller Great question and also the comments all the way around. I've been a member of the local VFW, American Legion, and D.A.V. since retirement in 96, in VA, NC, OK, and now GA. We have all three organizations here in Hinesville (Ft. Stewart) and Savannah (Hunter Army Air Field), which is home to the 3ID, Ranger Bn, TF160 and other organizations. In all three organizations we continue to have the reign of the "Old Tiimers" in the organizational leadership. I find this unfortunate, as we are missing out by not having the voice of the new generation of Soldiers, Warriors, and Leaders who have carried on when we turned in our TA50 for the last time. Many of us recognize this and work hard to get the younger generation of Soldiers involved. The key problem that I see in all three organizations is that the current leadership continues to attempt to accommodate the older generation and not move forward to attract the next generation. In the long term, this is going to cause a void in what all three organizations do for "All Veterans" when it comes to representing us in Washington DC. If this does not begin to take place, All Veterans and especially Disabled-Veterans are going to start losing benefits that were promised to us a long time ago. Veterans serving in Congress is less than 5% throughout both Senate and House combined. Without these organizations representing us there and with our State Politicans when they are in town, we will lose more and more over time. It's past time for us "Older Soldiers" to reach out and work to pull in these new and younger generation of Soldiers. There is plenty of room at the bar for all of us. We need the new ideas and thoughts, as our generation has passed. In both our Am. Legion, smoking is still allowed in the bar area. At our VFW, last year, smoking was prohibited. It's a slow process, and it's time to stop digging in our heels and move over and allow the new generation of veterans to join us at the bar. We've yet to make them feel welcome! Shame on us!

I became a life time member in 2007, what I have learned is that it is what you make of it. I have helped add WI FI to one post and updated programs to help bring in young guys but adding computer work stations so they can do apps and stuff. The bottom line is that you have to get involved and run for the leadership position. Most post are looking for new and younger leadership, they want new blood, but they don't want to do the work. Change is hard, they want change but they don't want it to effect them.
My current post is very active, 10% runs everything in every organization. we have about 50 members and ten do everything.

Boy howdy! Now here's a good topic!
My rant follows:
I have been a Life member of the VFW for several years, yet, I have not been an active member until last year. I have always seen the VFW as a bar where old Vets go the drink, smoke and tell war stories. I finally found a post with no canteen!
When I started attending our meetings, I brought up topics like children's activities and getting spouses involved. The post was receptive but there was never anything done. I talked about making the post more attractive to the new Vets, set up a Facebook page, and even started up a web site for us, the ladies aux, and worked on one for the Legion. It was like pulling teeth just to get information to keep the pages updated. I've done the Poppy Drive and had the opportunity to speak with a large number of potential members. The discussion ultimately addresses "I don't drink/smoke" or "I don't have time". Both of these arguments are valid simply because these new Vets have jobs and young families whereas the older vets are predominately retired with adult children. We are just not appealing to the new Vet.
Now, how do we fix it? The internet may be one approach, fewer meetings and more internet communication? How about fewer meetings and when you do have one, make it a big event…family cookout perhaps, or a flag ceremony? Community activities such as post sponsored easter egg hunts, or trunk or treats? Anything that gets the post a little media and involves the community will help.
Today’s young servicemen and women are our only hope for these organization’s futures. Without them, posts are going to shut down more and more and sooner than later, we will be a memory.

Brad