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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Posted in these groups: 
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 71
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That is an indicator of what it takes to pay the bills given lack of support otherwise. VFW and AL did a pretty good job turning me off at several points in my career. I'm the three strikes and you're out type.
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SFC Jim Ruether
Sorry to hear that sir. Maybe you've outlived some of those older SOB's that turned you off. Be a good time to try again and join up. Might see some old friends there too.
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Yes, this is the truly our local VFW. My husband did his best to go in and make it a better place. He was putting in 60 to 70 hours a week. It was for about 3 months but the Good ole boy members fought it and won when election time came. It is sad that is seems to be the local bar rather than a place where Veterans can go and relax. My husband took a failing VFW from losing $6,000 a month to making $7,000 a month. That did not matter to the Good ole boys. They are now trying to make it so kids can't come in with their parents. They are going back to smoking in the Cantina. They have alienated new members that are from Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Desert Storm act. During our election the District Senior Vice and Advocate General was there and did nothing regarding the name calling, accusations and general not following the Rules of Order. When the elected officers left to go have a drink in the cantina one of them said to us "Get the F*** out of my club". NOTHING was said or done about this and this is a clear violation of the Bylaws of the post, District, Department and National. My son's membership was questioned by a member asking "What did you do to deserve to be a member?" I am also a VFW member. Seven of us went "At Large" after that day. Very Sad...
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Yes, I was appalled when I first went to the VFW club where I live now. I'm a life member my whole family has been in the service and where I came from you had to have a key card to get in ! you couldn't just walk in off the street but here they let everybody in!!! to me that's not right our family our beautiful veterans are the ones who went overseas and fought for us and they don't even have their own private club ! I guess I'll get used to it but I don't like it that's all I have to say right now! thank you
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You are not alone. What is worse is when one has a CDR of "another" military organization who runs the place as if it were his own bar. (Which he does for changes and any additions to our Canteen JUST occur w/o meetings or votes). Our "Canteen" or bar if you will;. is solely ran by "Volunteers". Where I have a problem with this, is there is no accountability. To be closed on Monday and Tuesdays "because no one wants to work them" is an excuse. To have multiple people with keys to the facility is asking for disaster. To ask for Profit and Loss Statements on functions and no one can present any calls for the Leadership to be placed under a microscope and find out exactly what the hell our Budget Statement truly means and where in the hell is the money going? No Point of Sale System, prices are almost equal to the local bars, bartenders eating food and not paying for it, and volunteers drinking beverages and not paying for them, Did I mention the Cook and Dish Staff on a Friday as well as any Entertainment get paid in cash? They do. Bottom line is this, when an organization wants to solely rely on "profit" from a Canteen as well as rely on monies bequeathed to them, they are bound to fail. Shame considering our membership is 360+, Aux is 100+ and our Son's is 60+ but the same 5-8 people show up for meetings.
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It is a problem with any military based non for profit charter. There are always those that want to benefit from the work and sacrifice of others. The best thing to do is revive the mission by supporting it and doing whatever you can to encourage membership and participation.
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I’ve moved and found a new VFW so I’m going to check it out and see if it is better.
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MSgt James Norton
Good luck to you brother. I have found good Posts and terrible ones.
Currently the area I live in Northern Colorado has a Post that is absolutely the worst I've ever experienced! So here are my concerns for you Barracks Lawyers and experienced Officers of the VFW. Keep in mind this is an actual VFW Chartered Post/facility and 501C organization and operates under the By laws set forth by the VFW (Constitution)
- What is the clear definition of a "Social Member"
- Can a Post actually be open to the public, public use of canteen
- Is a non member of the public considered a "Social Member"
- Is there anything in the bylaws or a general order that prohibits this activity
Because this Post is open to the public it has created various problems with membership, crime, violation of bylaws concerning disciplinary action under Art 9, Co Dept of Revenue questions concerning charitable gaming activities, and State Liquor Law questions. The State Dept of Colorado VFW is aware of this and unfortunately turned a blind eye. When the previous District VFW Commander tried to correct these matters (including encouraging the Post to stop allowing a notorious biker club from holding their "Church" meetings within the club) he was threatened and intimidated by these patrons (Non VFW members)!
As I said, this is the worst place I have encountered. I encourage any replies from the CO Dept or National. I will be glad to put you in touch with the past District Commander and provide you with official records from Liquor Control and local law enforcement.
Currently the area I live in Northern Colorado has a Post that is absolutely the worst I've ever experienced! So here are my concerns for you Barracks Lawyers and experienced Officers of the VFW. Keep in mind this is an actual VFW Chartered Post/facility and 501C organization and operates under the By laws set forth by the VFW (Constitution)
- What is the clear definition of a "Social Member"
- Can a Post actually be open to the public, public use of canteen
- Is a non member of the public considered a "Social Member"
- Is there anything in the bylaws or a general order that prohibits this activity
Because this Post is open to the public it has created various problems with membership, crime, violation of bylaws concerning disciplinary action under Art 9, Co Dept of Revenue questions concerning charitable gaming activities, and State Liquor Law questions. The State Dept of Colorado VFW is aware of this and unfortunately turned a blind eye. When the previous District VFW Commander tried to correct these matters (including encouraging the Post to stop allowing a notorious biker club from holding their "Church" meetings within the club) he was threatened and intimidated by these patrons (Non VFW members)!
As I said, this is the worst place I have encountered. I encourage any replies from the CO Dept or National. I will be glad to put you in touch with the past District Commander and provide you with official records from Liquor Control and local law enforcement.
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My first was when they caught my American Legion Post smuggling guns to the IRA, Another was a Vietnam Veterans Post where there didn't seem to be a single in country vet except me
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I have some of the same complaints about my local VFW and Legion posts as most of you here. The inactivity of the posts members is a big issue for me. I have a lifetime membership to the VFW, but although my only involvement with my Legion post is playing Taps a few times a year I still pay my dues every year. The main reason that I pay my dues and encourage other veterans to join, and keep their membership current is that the VFW and Legion do a good job of representing veterans causes, and lobbying for veterans. So although the clubs don't appeal to every Veteran there is a good reason to consider joining. The larger the number of voters these organizations represent the more their voices will be heard on capitol hill.
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