How well are veterans organizations serving our veterans? Enough to induce active duty personnel to join when they return to civilian life?

It seems that some veterans harbor ill will towards veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the VFW, especially among Vietnam Vets.

My wife frequently goaded me to join, but I told her that those organizations were for “real” veterans. I didn't feel that they wanted an old Adjutant hanging around. However, as the Veterans Administration was exposed as failing in their mission I was tempted to look into membership. I wanted to help veterans. After all, the sum total of my active duty service was spent supporting the troops. Why shouldn't I do the same as a veteran?

I checked out both the American Legion and the VFW posts in a neighboring community, Mission Viejo, California. I joined them and attended a couple of meetings. No one begrudged me the fact that I didn't have a CIB (Combat Infantryman Badge) and seemed to welcome my participation in their activities. Inasmuch as the VFW post was more active in Mission Viejo, I focused my efforts there. I intend on becoming more involved with the American Legion later. Visiting VA hospitals and helping collect money and supplies for the families of deployed service members has satisfied my goals. I hope to become even more involved helping recently separated veterans obtain VA benefits and look for civilian employment.

However, when I posted a question about veterans organizations to the Vietnam Veterans Group on Facebook, I was surprised to learn that not all of my brothers and sisters were similarly welcomed when they attempted to join. Hundreds responded with tales of rejection because “they hadn't fought in a 'real' war” or “had 'lost' the war”, none of which was true. (I hope you can read the text on the image of sample responses)

Ultimately, I hope that no other veterans share the experience that we Vietnam Vets faced. I hope that morale among active duty service members isn't affected by tales of scandal at the Veterans Administration. I hope that all recently separated veterans find gainful employment in a civilian job market that is suffering.

How about you?