Posted on Feb 20, 2016
My local VFW has turned into more of a bar for non-veterans than a fraternal organization. Anyone else experience this?
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Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 71
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The American Legion Post here in Brevard, NC is trying to move itself to a more family friendly operation. Last year, over the outraged howls of those who deem it their constitutional right to smoke, the Post went non-smoking. Only the then Post Commander quit over the issue. The bar is, of course, the major source of income, but there are dances and other family events at least quarterly which are helping to generate some revenue. There is also an effort (coming at the next meeting) to see how much interest and response can be generated with members participating in the Senior Games - get away from the bar and out into the sunshine, and let the general public see the Legion as something worthwhile in !the larger community.
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My VFW post 9851 in Hendersonville, TN does not have that problem. Our meetings are used to discuss ways to raise money to help Vetrans in need. We have a food pantry that we operate in conjunction with the local Vietnam Vetrans of America chapter and provide monetary support. We are also working on a plan to send a bus load of gulf war Vetrans to the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, IL. We have a bar but, it is downstairs from our meeting room and alcohol is not permitted at meetings. It looks like your post needs a change in leadership.
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MSG (Join to see)
Kind of sad, but at least the non-Veterans are helping pay the bills. Hopefully you can change it around a little and get more Veterans to join.
Kind of sad, but at least the non-Veterans are helping pay the bills. Hopefully you can change it around a little and get more Veterans to join.
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Yes Sergeant! Keeping it real! I feel being a soldier our level of pride is so high that wartime veterans would rather self medicate with alcohol then to go get help from the VA! And the soldiers that are still on active duty of course we didn't want to go to the TMC to get the proper help for fear of being sidelined from deployments, so we drink and unfortunately some of us get in trouble! Would have been good leadership and a good change command we should police our troops and show them other alternatives to hold the same camaraderie without alcohol or moderate use of alcohol good question Sergeant!!
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SFC Jim Ruether
Good ideas Sergeant. You need to join to set the example and turn these clubs around. I am sure that they can use the help and a few new members will energize any vets club.
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I can see doing an occasional pancake feed or something like that to interface with the community in a positive way and make some money for the post, but it doesn't seem right to be cottoning to non-veterans on a regular basis.
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SFC Jim Ruether
Those non vets support us in a number of ways. They pay taxes, they know veterans and maybe stop at your club because their dad or grand dad is a member. They elect officials in their community, state and nation that support the military. They support us outright too because when given the choice, they spend their money in our clubs. You can't make it with occasional pancake feeds in these clubs because the memberships are down, property taxes are up, and many clubs have maybe a handful of members who make it to the meetings and another handful that help out setting the club up for a dance or wedding. If these clubs are to survive then service members like yourself will have to join, encourage others to do the same and when you have a majority that feel the same way you do then make those changes so the club reflects what it's membership wants. I wish you the best of luck!
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SGM Maurice Risley
LTC Metz, These non vets are what is called the Auxiliary. consists of spouses and eligible dependents. Any non member of the Post or Aux. has to be signed in by a member. Yes, there are functions that are open house but it's not the norm.
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SFC Jim Ruether
Our VFW and American Legion have surf and turf night, Taco nights, Fish Fry's, Tom and Jerry Night during the Christmas Season. We have birthday celebrations for our vets. We have Pirate Parties that will shiver your timbers and other seasonal celebrations too!
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Recruit your friends, pay dues not much it is worth the magazine. One member=one vote TACMO. Take Charge Move 'em Out. They can't be that back. Start an Video oral history Program. Get the oldest first. Not many WWII left. You can do good, bring a JROTC program into a local school. Host the local recruiters for a meeting. Show some love Bro.!
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The bar is basically a fund raiser and an important one. Besides, the activities in our hall bring customers and members.
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My post has done the same thing. In doing so a lot of members has gone elsewhere. Its sad, rather than change their altitudes and make an effort to get young vet to join, they are willing to serve non vets that is only there for the cheap drinks.
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SPC (Join to see)
get involved, go to meetings, run for office, and you will improve your post and also find out that without the bar income most posts would go under. The bar income helps support the other Veteran activities that are sponsored by the Post
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CPL Brian Clouser
SPC (Join to see) - I joined in 1996 and since that time I have held every office but two. I have work at the county fair to promote the club I also got some of people that I served with in Iraq to join. But in my post its the Good ole boys is that run it-rather they are in office or not. Example of this the the floor could vote on something that will bring vet in and the every next meeting there would be 30-40 members to reopen the issue and vote it down.
After 20 years of this type of crap I left, I resigned as Quartermaster and contact both the State and National to change my life membership to Member at large because they allow male strippers in there to raise money. That type of thing does not belong in a family place...ever
I walk in there about 2 months ago to see my niece and on the Officers board were the exactly the same people in the same office as they were 20 years ago. So if my town's post survive its will be because the good ole boys has die off and they got younger, more up to date people in office. When that happens I will start doing to meetings again until then I'll go to the Legion or stay at home
After 20 years of this type of crap I left, I resigned as Quartermaster and contact both the State and National to change my life membership to Member at large because they allow male strippers in there to raise money. That type of thing does not belong in a family place...ever
I walk in there about 2 months ago to see my niece and on the Officers board were the exactly the same people in the same office as they were 20 years ago. So if my town's post survive its will be because the good ole boys has die off and they got younger, more up to date people in office. When that happens I will start doing to meetings again until then I'll go to the Legion or stay at home
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I don't even set foot into the local VFW. It's nothing but a bunch of non veteran older people and 60somthing bar flies. Nothing like it should be.
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SFC Jim Ruether
Well there'd be one more vet in there if you joined. Convince your buddies to sign up too and if the club can go it on their own close the club to members only. Real simple but you need to get involved.
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