My local VFW has turned into more of a bar for non-veterans than a fraternal organization. Anyone else experience this?

Our VFW post meets in the local Legion Hall. I've got a life membership in the VFW, but I've stopped going to meetings. Although I'm a past commander of our post (with a white hat), I found that I couldn't motivate our members to get involved or do anything. Going to meetings with no real purpose was frustrating so I just stopped attending. I'm not very active in the American Legion Either although I belong to both organisations. I'm not a big drinker anymore, and I just don't have the desire to go to bars. I find very little besides the bar to go to the post for. I play taps for the post a few times a year, and that's pretty much the extent of my involvement. There is a fairly large contingent of Sons of the Legion members when I do go, and I get the idea most of them belong because they want a cheap place to drink.

Unless accompanied by a member of that post, no one should be serving these non-members anything. Our bars are private and licensed as such. Could they be members of other posts? If not, someone best have a chat with the post commander. This could get you in hot water with the Liquor Control Board of your state.

The only VFW I'v ever been to, was in Colrado a springs, CO. I was there with my best friends parents, his dad was a vet. I wasn't treated any different then anyone else. All we did was drink, and sing Kereoke. I was even allowed to join, but I never did. When I'm out in public these days, whether it's in Reno, NV., or here in Vegas, I treat all vets with respect, if I can see that they're vets. That's with a handshake and a thank you, didn't matter if they were VFW or regardless of branch of service. In my eyes, we're all the same! We all served with honor and we took pride in the fact that we served. No reason why any veteran should think that they're better or more privileged then anyone else.

That and a bingo hall are ever mine has ever been.

The VFW, it is my understanding, can only serve Veterans of Foreign Wars. They are supposed to have verified that service in order to even let you join the organization. I am unsure what the rules are on bringing "non-vet" guest, but would guess they are most likely not allowed. Perhaps the bar area is more interested in turning a profit than following rules.

I joined the VFW Post (Life Member) in my hometown, in Ohio, back in 2000. I never went again until after I retired to visit my mom. I found out real quick that they now have 'civilians' who can be sponsored by an actual member and can become a 'Guest Member' for a donation of $30 a year. They have access to the VFW and all its events throughout the year. They can't participate in meetings, voting, Color Guard, or anything else that a Veteran, who's dues are paid in full, are allowed to.

At first thought, I was like, "WTF, over?". But within 10 minutes of being there, I realized those guest members were needed to keep the Post active. Unlike here in San Antonio, Texas, Veterans are a very small percentage of the overall adult population in NE Ohio. When I joined16 years ago, there was no need for these guest members. It was unheard of. But now, probably over two-thirds of the overall memberships at that Post are Guest Memberships. Most of the WWII veterans are now deceased. Korean War veterans numbers aren't too large either. The largest veteran memberships currently are those of the Vietnam era. Once they're gone all that'll be left is us veterans who joined after 1973 in an all volunteer force. We need them to remain active. They also spend a lot of money on raffles, toy drives, food collection for the needy, and other money making ventures that the Post sponsor...not just in the canteen drinking.

Like I said earlier, in NE Ohio (and other states north of the Mason-Dixon Line or have military bases), I feel Guest Memberships are needed and as long as they're respectful of our military customs, courtesies, and traditions I'm proud to sponsor them at our Post.

yes. and one of them is in Wilmington,ca.

I think what is being missed is the Canteen is one of the many ways that posts struggle to raise funds. These are the funds that are used for community contributions. Just yesterday between the Auxiliary and Post we distributed close to 2K to fund a JROTC unit to participate in a National compaction and another 1K for Post maintenance. To answer the Soldiers question, it has become very difficult to get Veterans to support the Canteen so creative means are made to keep the Canteen running. Hence keeping the Post alive. While attending post meetings pay close attention to the Quartermasters financial report and you will understand where these funds are coming from. As a Challenge, get involved and provide creative ideas to help your Post thrive. The Canteen is not just a Bar, it’s the life blood of almost every VFW Post

I joined my post in September 2014. I became the Commander June 2015. I reminded the post members of the mission of the VFW.The purpose of the VFW. If you want changes to happen, YOU have to help make them happen. If more younger combat veterans would join, the faster positive changes will happen. If you don't want to join ,but all you want to do is complain, then SHUT UP!

VFW, I have visited as a matter of survival have open their doors to family members, the issue of fraternal organization has become more of a days gone by issue, because the younger veterans are more interested places for their family. We be Old School.

When I first got out under QMP I WENT TO THE VFW AFTER SERVING FROM 1974-1990 AND I TOOK MY DDFORM 214 IN THEY REVIEWED AND SAID THAT I DIDN'T MEET THE STANDARDS OF A VETERAN BECAUSE I HAD NO OVERSEAS DUTIES WHICH I SERVED 3 TOURS OF GERMANY WAS IN AS A POST ERA VIETNAM VET AND THEY NO WAY. I Have never been so hurt in my life and I still think that after 16 plus years in I should Be able to be retired and but know they just Don't understand what you put your life thru protecting your country.
SSG MARK A FRANZEN

Spc4 Byron Skinner. Welcome to the Veterans world SFC. It was that way 50 years ago an for the 40 years these VSO's existed before my time. The VFW Post 5986 Bar I went to, underage yet after I got out sold beer for $.15 a glass and $.35 a pitcher a nickel off between 1500 and 1800 Happy Hours. Club Brands mixed drinks $.35-$.50. Cheap even 50 years ago. Few bothered with the good stuff. This is also the reason I gave up on VSO's SFC.

Ours is exactly the same!

Yes at times

My experience the VFW has always been that way, instead of a fraternal org it is a social club for drinking and gambling.

This has also been the case with my local vfw, here in Weehawken NJ. Its become more of a local drug den, too. Im actually not really allowed to go there anymore. Its a long wrong destructive story that still hurts. I left my sweater and asked for it back, I was then charged with saying I went around claiming rape. I never said any of this and still have never gotten my sweater back. Most of the people that go there arent vets. I was shocked to find this out!

Thankfully my local VFW Post 2468, Roseburg, OR, has made the decision not to have an open bar for many of the reasons I've seen here. But another one near here has rented there bar space to a private contractor to run.

YES, YES, YES I am a Lifetime member of VFW, OEF, OIF, 5 Desert deployments and I refuse to walk into the VFW I am a "member" of because all it is is a bar. No really proud of where VFW is, most do recognize the place as a bar and nothing more! Sad days!

Our local one is a bar with mostly non veteran customers.

It's happening all over the place, VFWs and Legions alike. They're trying to stay in business is all. The problem, in my opinion, is across the board. Most of the VFWs and Legions look at OIF/OEF Vets as simply more $ and more members. Some are looked at as "hey, here's a new commander!" They are not keeping up with the times and are stuck in the beer drinking/pull tab/bingo circle of death. I am an American Legion member and a VFW life member and I hate what I'm seeing. I am a member at large (in MN) because I have yet to find a post that's any good. I'm 55 and I'm not into drinking myself silly in a dark post, I want to do something that matters. Many younger Vets and those not happy with the VFW/Legion status quo are joining the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA), Team Rubicon, and other such organizations who tailor to Vets who still want to be involved. Until the national HQ of the Legion and VFW figure that out, more and more posts will become like yours, or simply die out.