Posted on Aug 7, 2014
Should Cold War Veterans be allowed to join the American Legion and the VFW?
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For SSG Bacon:
Here are the Legions membership requirements. It is for wartime veterans, not necessisarily combat veterans like the VFW.
Eligibility Requirements for American Legion Membership
If you are currently on active duty, serving the United States honorably, anywhere in the world, or have served honorably during any of the following eligible war eras, we invite you to become a member of The American Legion. National Guard and Reservists having been Federally activated (including basic training) during these same war eras also meet the eligibility requirements.
•Aug. 2, 1990 to today (Gulf War / War On Terrorism)
•Dec. 20, 1989 to Jan. 31, 1990 (Panama)
•Aug. 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon / Grenada)
•Feb. 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
•June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955 (Korean War)
•Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1946 (World War II)
•April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918 (World War I)
Here are the Legions membership requirements. It is for wartime veterans, not necessisarily combat veterans like the VFW.
Eligibility Requirements for American Legion Membership
If you are currently on active duty, serving the United States honorably, anywhere in the world, or have served honorably during any of the following eligible war eras, we invite you to become a member of The American Legion. National Guard and Reservists having been Federally activated (including basic training) during these same war eras also meet the eligibility requirements.
•Aug. 2, 1990 to today (Gulf War / War On Terrorism)
•Dec. 20, 1989 to Jan. 31, 1990 (Panama)
•Aug. 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon / Grenada)
•Feb. 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
•June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955 (Korean War)
•Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1946 (World War II)
•April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918 (World War I)
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I could be wrong here. The VFW has always welcomed all vets - at least in my experience.
The American Legion didn't open it's doors to all vets until they began hurting for membership.
I respect any members of either, but my favor will always be VFW.
Not a member of either - but I think on it from time to time.
The American Legion didn't open it's doors to all vets until they began hurting for membership.
I respect any members of either, but my favor will always be VFW.
Not a member of either - but I think on it from time to time.
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SGT Steve Oakes
When I first got out in 92 I was accepted into my uncle's VFW post in IN. They said it was enough to have served honorably during time of war. When I tried to join hear in MI I was told I could not because I was never deployed to a combat zone.
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LTC Joseph Gross
Nor does the American Legion welcome all veterans. There are specific time periods of eligibility.
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After talking with the American Legion and the VFW I received the following information
on their membership eligibility. A honorably discharged cold war veteran who was on
active duty during a time of war such as Korea or Vietnam is eligible to join the American
Legion. These cold war veterans did not have to serve in Korea or Vietnam to be eligible
for membership. They just had to be on active duty during a time of war. This also made
those cold war veterans eligible for the National Defense Service Medal with ribbon. This
eligibility rule does shut out thousands of cold war veterans who did not serve during a
war time period from membership. VFW membership eligibility for a cold war veteran is
the veteran must have been on active duty in a "war zone" such as Vietnam in addition
to any other duty station. VFW membership is only for veterans who served in a "war zone".
I would like to see the American Legion open their membership to all cold war veterans and
not just the veterans who served during a war time period. The VFW is veterans of foreign wars
and should be restricted to veterans who served in a "war zone". Having said that I know guys
who are Vietnam "war zone" veterans who are eligible for the VFW and they saw as much combat
in Vietnam as I did in West Germany which is NONE!! Not all who serve in a "war zone" see combat.
on their membership eligibility. A honorably discharged cold war veteran who was on
active duty during a time of war such as Korea or Vietnam is eligible to join the American
Legion. These cold war veterans did not have to serve in Korea or Vietnam to be eligible
for membership. They just had to be on active duty during a time of war. This also made
those cold war veterans eligible for the National Defense Service Medal with ribbon. This
eligibility rule does shut out thousands of cold war veterans who did not serve during a
war time period from membership. VFW membership eligibility for a cold war veteran is
the veteran must have been on active duty in a "war zone" such as Vietnam in addition
to any other duty station. VFW membership is only for veterans who served in a "war zone".
I would like to see the American Legion open their membership to all cold war veterans and
not just the veterans who served during a war time period. The VFW is veterans of foreign wars
and should be restricted to veterans who served in a "war zone". Having said that I know guys
who are Vietnam "war zone" veterans who are eligible for the VFW and they saw as much combat
in Vietnam as I did in West Germany which is NONE!! Not all who serve in a "war zone" see combat.
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Don't get this question at all. If they are veterans they are eligible to join. Doesn't matter when they served.
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In my humble opinion, the title alone is a reason to be allowed in the "Cold War." There were a lot of incidents during that time, that history may have forgotten where military people lost their lives. We had a bunch of terrorist hostage crises (one on a plane, another on a cruise ship). And other events. It may have been a "Cold War," but we still had the military handling things that did not happen at home.
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Talking about the Cold War, please listen to the interview we did with Harold Mason this week. It is on till Monday March 13th. Harold served on the East German border 86 to 88 with 11th ACR, he tells what it is like to be there and the danger.... Then maybe judge on whether some need to be or not...
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Why shouldn't they, they trained for the possibility of war, I served from '76-2000.
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Since the organizations, (A.L. and V.F.W.), don't actually decide what constitutes "eligible service", yes, allow those who have served during those time periods that Congress has decided upon for eligibility to join.
I am personally eligible to join the A.L. but not the V.F.W. due to service dates that included two eligible periods, one in the R. A., the other in the Army Reserve, but no service, in combat on foreign soil during either period.
I am personally eligible to join the A.L. but not the V.F.W. due to service dates that included two eligible periods, one in the R. A., the other in the Army Reserve, but no service, in combat on foreign soil during either period.
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A1C Michael David Severson
My question is this: Does Congress own, or control the VFW or A.L.? How did Congress get into this matter anyway? And if it is a matter of bylaws being changed, then let's do it!
Defending this nation in the face of ANY threat is worthy of recognition and support, given the sacrifices we have all paid to protect this great nation!
The global war on terror is not really a true war in the Congressional sense, and yet veterans returning are being assisted and honored.
I was harmed and disabled during service in 1979 during the the Cold War, even though it was not on a battlefield.
Does that mean I am treated any less than someone who was awarded a Purple Heart? Injury is injury, the location of the injury's occurrence is the only defining factor...
And, being a Biblical Scholar, I find this passage and comment by King David an example of equity that I believe should respect, honor and return service and support to all veterans:
I Samuel 30:24
Who will listen to you in this matter? The portion of the one who went down into the battle will be the same as the portion of the one who remained with the equipment! Let their portions be the same!"
Chew on that, and tell me what you think...
Doc :-) O:)
Defending this nation in the face of ANY threat is worthy of recognition and support, given the sacrifices we have all paid to protect this great nation!
The global war on terror is not really a true war in the Congressional sense, and yet veterans returning are being assisted and honored.
I was harmed and disabled during service in 1979 during the the Cold War, even though it was not on a battlefield.
Does that mean I am treated any less than someone who was awarded a Purple Heart? Injury is injury, the location of the injury's occurrence is the only defining factor...
And, being a Biblical Scholar, I find this passage and comment by King David an example of equity that I believe should respect, honor and return service and support to all veterans:
I Samuel 30:24
Who will listen to you in this matter? The portion of the one who went down into the battle will be the same as the portion of the one who remained with the equipment! Let their portions be the same!"
Chew on that, and tell me what you think...
Doc :-) O:)
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A1C Michael David Severson
WE have to institute self-advocacy, nobody is going to do it, and take our government back as a representative government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people! That is us!!! Those of the elitist oligarchy in our government need to be soundly outvoted, and silenced with a majority vote for what is RIGHT for our nation, that sets us on a course for strength, stability, and recovery.
We sent a message in November, now we must not let up and assume all is well. Just listen to the news, and it is clearly obvious a battle is being waged to impede and reverse the ground we have fought so hard to gain! We cannot and will not allow that to happen!
We sent a message in November, now we must not let up and assume all is well. Just listen to the news, and it is clearly obvious a battle is being waged to impede and reverse the ground we have fought so hard to gain! We cannot and will not allow that to happen!
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So we should classify veterans based on the time and place they served and limit what organizations they can join? I mean I do understand if the organization is a retired officers association, sure no enlisted can join for obvious reasons.
The American Legion and VFW should be embracing Veterans who want to join.
The American Legion and VFW should be embracing Veterans who want to join.
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Yes we should allow all Veterans to be in the American Legion. I am a member of post 507 and I believe that the VFW does a great job with war vets the legion should be for all others when never steeped foot in a theater of combat. there should be no wartime mandate. I was in 1991-1994 I was never in desert storm because it ended prior to me delayed entry program time. Why should I be allowed but not a colr war vet?
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