How can we as Veterans organize enough to make Veterans of Modern Warfare as big if not bigger than the VFW?

2018-06-14T19:58:05-04:00

Many of us younger Veterans have try'd and failed to either join and make a difference at our local VFW or where just tolled out right to shut up we are just young bucks we don't know anything. We didn't have it that hard. The VFW's i have visited in my area are all the same the Vietnam guys run them like a old boys club, i'll see some younger members join and show up for 1 maybe 2 meetings and never again. I try'd to change it by becoming a leader in the post i became Jr. Vice Commander they liked the ideas but did nothing. SO i moved up to Sr. Vice did that for 2 years was working on my 3rd year when they started there why cant we get younger members bit again and i tolled them and i was tolled i would be thrown out by the Sargent at Arms for using curs words. Mind you i had paid my 20$ in the swear jar so i could tell them and i had barley used 10$ cause i was not dropping the f- bomb. So i went to another post same thing the old guys are not doing anything but they don't want to change they don't want to adapt to younger veterans. They don't want to realize. We talk a little harsher than them and no we will not be tolled to shut up. We have family's with kids and we enjoy a brother hood so we like get together's like cook outs. We know when we are not wanted and the Vietnam Vets don't want us in the meeting they just as VFW members and that wont fly for us.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jun 14 at 2018 8:09 PM

2018-06-14T20:09:45-04:00

This is interesting idea.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2018 8:16 PM

2018-06-14T20:16:25-04:00

An effort like that would be like starting a new political party. It can be done but it will take some time to develop. These veteran organizations are chartered by Congress so you will need some congressional support otherwise you are just another private non profit.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 14 at 2018 8:20 PM

2018-06-14T20:20:55-04:00

uh... My VFWs have always been awesome... I don't doubt that you may have had a bad experience with some guys/gals but most of the organizations are top notch. Where are you located geographically?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jun 14 at 2018 8:21 PM

2018-06-14T20:21:07-04:00

How are your local legion posts? We have a couple that tend to a younger crowd, while others have an older population

Response by MSgt George Cater made Jun 14 at 2018 8:31 PM

2018-06-14T20:31:01-04:00

What the f**k you mean you talk worse than us tired a*s old senile Vietnam Vets? I seriously resent that. You obviously weren’t one of my prives back in the dark ages. We made Lee Ermey sound like a choirboy.
But seriously, I think it totally sucks that you and your generation of vets aren’t welcomed with open arms and admiration as worthy to carry the torch of veteran’s issues. WTF? Just because we have cell phones and such and can fly home from the war zone in a day doesn’t mean deployment or war is a skate. Today’s IEDs aren’t punji sticks or grenades stacked in a LAW tube. They are much worse as you know. I personally don’t go to the MCL, VFW, AMVETS, American Legion, etc as I don’t enjoy stinking smoky bars. But if I were an active member, I’d welcome you. So start your own organization. VMW sounds good. There are certainly enough of you to do it.

BTW, thanks much for your service.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2018 8:36 PM

2018-06-14T20:36:06-04:00

I am a Vietnam Veteran who happens to be a life VFW Member, although I have never been to a Post. I joined because a VFW VSO helped me with my claim. Do not blame your issues on Vietnam Veterans. I had never heard of this new organization before today and excluding veterans that served before 1990 seems too exclusive for me. We are all brothers and sisters that served, and it would be better to find common ground than exclude groups that you do not like.

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Jun 14 at 2018 9:07 PM

2018-06-14T21:07:22-04:00

Usually Vietnam vets are cool, because like us they fought in an unpopular war and came from a generation that was credited with "ruining America".

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 14 at 2018 9:59 PM

2018-06-14T21:59:41-04:00

Common problem with many VFW's, I'm a life member and seldom go- but what about the other groups- American Legion, AMVETS, and I forget the names of some of the OEF/OIF groups that have gone National. Don't let one group turn you off, keep trying to serve our buddies.

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Jun 14 at 2018 11:21 PM

2018-06-14T23:21:14-04:00

Not sure why you can't get along with the VFW. Out here (US Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll, RMI) we only have the American Legion (VFW forgot to renew it's charter before I got here). We have a few Nam vets, but must of us are Desert Storm or Post 9/11 Vets. As it is a military base it's not hard to find new members to join. All though most of the base is contractors or DOD civilians.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 12:53 AM

2018-06-15T00:53:04-04:00

Welcome to the Army

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 9:04 AM

2018-06-15T09:04:26-04:00

I'm currently acting Commander of my American Legion Post and while I've had a different experience...can't say that I doubt you.

Vietnam was "our" fathers' war, much the same as WWII was "their" fathers' war. Talking with some of the Vietnam Vets in my post, it's pretty clear they faced the same challenges when they first joined up too. The WWII guys (and maybe those of Korea) sounded more committed to preserving the "image" of a perfect system...it seems to me the Vietnam era guys are dedicated to remembrance and an appreciation for the sacrifices involved. I suspect "we" are more interested in the "here and now"...because for us, the war was only yesterday, last year or a just a few years ago. It's entirely possible that we (unintentionally) come off as a bit "impatient" as a result.

We might also have to remember that "they" have had as much as fifty years to decompress. In that time, the Infantrymen, Paratroopers, Tankers and Sailors have also become lawyers, farmers, doctors, car salesmen and retirees. They may have married the hot young thing they met in '62...but she's raised two children, earned a master's degree started a business and retired since then. They may have cursed like Chesty Puller on a bad day back in '72...but now, they're the deacons at the local church.

For them, the VA is about dealing with very real, very serious, and all too often, terminal issues...for us, it's often about balancing out trying to get by on minimum wage while dealing with issues that are neither fully understood or accepted.

Their kids have kids...ours have "boo boos". It's a different mentality and reality altogether.

I also suspect that many, if not MOST of "us" truly wish we were still "in". We're still young enough to be senior NCOs or officers, may still be in "shape", and in our case...our war is still ongoing. Maybe we're hoping that the VFW or American Legion is going to fill that void...and of course, it can't.

I respect my post, and truly admire the men that comprise it...but I'd be lying if I said there aren't times I look around and ask, "what am I doing here again?" When that happens, I try to tell myself that if I give up...the Legion will dry up. I'm the only member of my post under fifty...and probably the only active member under sixty. If the Legion and the VFW die out...there won't be that century and a half long heritage waiting for us when we get there.

Response by SGT Jack Stevens made Jun 15 at 2018 4:03 PM

2018-06-15T16:03:35-04:00

Been a member of 4 different VFW Posts here in NM. I am currently on my 5th. Trust me i know what you saying first hand, But due to some history with the incoming National Commander and his Clique of other Veterans. I'll help my current post when I can, but being truly active over the next 13 months for the VFW I will not. So i ask, do you have a Moose International Lodge near you? Go talk with them or even an American Legion near you? It was the American Legion who was started by General John "BlackJack" Pershing. If you would like message me where you are located and i can help you locate a local Moose Lodge or AL Post?

Response by SSG James Bulington made Jun 16 at 2018 2:52 PM

2018-06-16T14:52:43-04:00

It's really sad that all they want is to sit and drink beer and the auxiliary have money in the bank but it's their money so the only thing they want to do is give a gift to the person that inspected there books and try to run the VFW

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Jun 17 at 2018 3:44 AM

2018-06-17T03:44:53-04:00

Probably. But why? What benefit would there be to form a modern warfare Veteran's group? I ask this in earnest because I am considering joining a Veteran group such as the VFW, American Legion, or IAVA. Those three groups are well known and established. Would a "modern" veteran group be any better than a historical one?

Response by MSG Randy Rucker made Jun 18 at 2018 11:51 PM

2018-06-18T23:51:26-04:00

I don't think you can. Most Veterans that hang out at the VFW are Vietnam Veterans and a few Desert Storm Vets. So they will not be able to relate to you and in some cases will be intimated BY you. Don't take it personal, just a different time and a different organization. Good intentions, but bad results.

Response by SPC Jay Peltier made Jun 21 at 2018 10:48 AM

2018-06-21T10:48:02-04:00

I don't actually belong to a VFW anymore, but visit one often for a local card game. I can't speak to your issues, but can say elderly vets are VERY set in their ways. (good?bad? u decide)

1. There is a member that is a stereotypical racist, as bad as you can imagine. When anyone of color enters the room, the man spouts off about how in his neighborhood he would shoot them if they came close to his van. Says the N word regularly "IN THEIR PRESENCE" ETC ETC ETC...

2. THE post actually has a Mural with every "stereotypical" group/ethnicity PROUDLY displayed on the wall. A large nose, big lips black person, an American Indian with braids and all, a gay flute player, all dressed in colonial garb, playing instruments carrying the flag circa 1776, complete with pink shirt, and a big nosed, bald forehead different colored eye Jew overlooking.

When questioned about the mural, the elders said it was funny and had no plans on removing it.

Response by Capt Larry Savage made Sep 26 at 2018 5:55 PM

2018-09-26T17:55:12-04:00

What you have to do - Vote the current commanders and staff out. I am a Vietnam-Desert Storm Veteran and a member of most veterans organizations. The Vietnam veterans you are talking about are people that are not for the organization but for themselves! This is how previous war veterans were that got leadership positions. If you care about the veterans and I mean all veterans -Then get on the leadership with those that are there for the organization of veterans. Might I suggest that your friends try to start a veterans voting bloc. We tried to in the late 90s and most veterans did not realize how powerful a veterans voting block would be. It would be the strongest lobby in America. Yes the brother/sisterhood is wonderful but the veteran organizations are supposedly in place to provide service and benefits for the veteran, This is my perspective and you will always have someone trying to undermine the good.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2019 4:13 PM

2019-02-28T16:13:50-05:00

The apparent death of this worthy discussion either means someone, somewhere caught fire with ideas and is totally engaged in community organizing OR the VMW concept died on the vine like the unwelcoming veterans organizations (local only -- no broad brush intended) specified above.

I may be part of the problem. When I was much younger, I joined the American Legion. I attended meetings and volunteered for a lot of things. I was noted in the minutes as volunteering for things HOWEVER, I was never utilized. I stopped attending after 8 - 10 months. Today I am an absent Life Member. I caused that because I did not have enough juice to cause a change.

I rose to President in a fraternal organization which died due to lack of interest and the members and meetings did not have the terrible distraction of PTSD survivors utilizing alcohol and closing their group to deal with the pain.

My hat is off to the guys that got the Legion off the ground, and later the VFW, and, perhaps someday the VMW. Then there are the follow on folks that keep the organizations relevant. Finally, there are the vast majority of us who suck up our organizations benefits but lack the fire to insist they stay true to their charters.

There's my rant for the day.

Response by SFC Jimmy Arocho made Feb 17 at 2020 9:21 AM

2020-02-17T09:21:18-05:00

SPC Ziegler, I appreciate your forward-looking motivation and desire to facilitate support for Gulf War Veterans (GWV). Maybe supporting and partnering with an organization that is aligned with the Veterans Administration may help? We need the VA for 100% of our benefits, right? The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) is made-up of State Directors and in some states, Commissioners of Veterans Affairs in each state of the nation. GWV's can drill-down into the national webpage to find their state of residence. At the state-level I've found that the "Benefits Guide" represents a powerful tool to serve in the very support that you seek. I like the FDVA Benefits Guide for the great state of Florida; the directorship here aims to make the guide the best! Nevertheless, I think this is a great launching point for GWV's to dig-in and share thoughts, feelings, and ideas of how best to receive support for Gulf War era of Veterans. Please let me know what you think? Does the Benefits Guide/Book for your state respond to what you seek? http://www.nasdva.us

National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs | NASDVA

Welcome to the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs' website.

Response by COL John McClellan made Feb 27 at 2020 10:30 AM

2020-02-27T10:30:16-05:00

Please don't. Go back to the VFW or the American Legion and make your voices heard! There are Posts out there (like mine) with people in the leadership (like me) who will not react that way. At the same time, there are standards and you should be respectful of existing members' sensibilities regarding conduct in the Post. BTW - I think you mean "told"... good luck!

Response by SGT Jack Holcomb made Jun 9 at 2020 8:41 PM

2020-06-09T20:41:31-04:00

Look I’m going in to hell with my VFW post. If it’s worth it, then fight for it.

Scouts out

Response by MSG William Wold made Sep 8 at 2021 8:35 PM

2021-09-08T20:35:13-04:00

Well don’t feel bad, my dad was a life member, he could sign me in. Then I went to Vietnam. Came back. They wouldn’t let my dad sign me in nor could I join. My dad tore up his life card in front of them and never went back. In 2002 a fellow worker who was in the Air Force during that period but actually in 10 years had never left the states, filed a VA claim for something and got 30%. Another coworker and I looked at each other and grilled him how his happened. Service officer at VFW. We both went there and he said, where ya been? We both from led and he got something, I’m currently at 60%.