Posted on Aug 7, 2014
Should Cold War Veterans be allowed to join the American Legion and the VFW?
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Cold War
Cold War
Posted >1 y ago
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Yes they should but it really depends on the unit and the command staff they have. I served in Germany when Bader-Meinhof gang was active as well as some communist subversive organizations. I was threatened for being American, told we were locked down for our protection and was on duty and alerted when Gen. Haig was bombed in Frankfurt. I was told with absolute certainty in our local VFW (Calhan, Co) that if I didn't serve in Korea during my years of service (1978-1984) I couldn't join as I didn't serve in a conflict area. Yeah Right being told you had a life expectancy of 5 minutes because you were a lance missile base in the event of the cold war going hot isn't close to conflict.....sheeesh!!!
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I believe that if they served honorably they should be allowed to join. They served voluntarily when they didn't have to. We are all brothers and sisters
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I am a cold war veteran and Legion member. I once was told that I could join the VFW because I earned an expeditionary medal at Beirut.
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PO1 (Join to see)
CPO Bernie Penkin While I don't have your DD-214 in front of me, based only on your statement above I believe you are eligible for the VFW.
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CPO Bernie Penkin
Correct PO1. I am able to join. The Expeditionary Medal will also give added points on some federal job applications too.
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to respond to SSG John Bacon - no - not everyone can join the legion because you have to have served during specific time periods. I served IN BETWEEN those and am not able to sign up with them so - yes I do believe cold war vets should be able to join the legion. the VFW on the other hand I understand their rules and believe they are correct
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
While I have posted this before I feel it bears repeating. I am a 'Life' member of VFW. Having served in West Berlin 1973-1976, I qualified under their guidelines. However, I never shot at anybody and nobody ever shot at me.
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I don't see why not as long you have honorable discharge. I am a member of both, the Legion, and VFW really need some new blood, and members. James Billings Retired US Army
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Lot's of interesting responses in this thread. I can see it was easy to get sidetracked from the original question and digress to the quality of the organizations, their practices and their local influences. I never joined the AL but am a life member of the VFW. My home chapter is in Germany and I haven't joined one since coming back stateside mostly because I do want to connect with a local group that is really working to help vets personally and professionally. As for should they open their doors to Cold War vets, I would say they are a private organization and their charter is their right to have and hold. Those who served from 1975 to 1990 don't fall within the scope of the organization and that's that. We can't call it war if it isn't and that's that. As for the quality of the organizations, I am sure there is another discussion out there or someone will start it soon enough!
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I say that those who served with the Berlin Bde, any unit that served ON the border between the East (USSR) and the West (NATO) or North of the Im Jim River in Korea should qualify for the VFW and any SM that served over seas should qualify for the American Legion.
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SFC Boots Attaway
I spent 2 months North of that damn river in 79 then 11 months from 82-83. In the 80s I slept and worked 10 meters from the ACTUAL line inside the DMZ between North and South Korea 2 days out of every 8 days. Our job was to provide security, patrol the line looking for signs of incursion and propaganda inside Pan Mun Jom.
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Yes and they should only be served Cold Drinks! No Vodka! Just American Beer and English whiskey.
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I believe that everyone that served honorably in one of the armed forces of the US should be eligible for the American Legion, period! That said, the VFW is an organization of those that served in a combat theater. I have been a member of both since 1972 and re-qualified twice more since then, not that I needed to :)
In 1972, the VFW was similar to the descriptions I have seen on this discussion, some good and some bad. I have received a great deal of support from my brothers and sisters in both organizations I recommend giving it a try and getting involved it one or the other, both if you have the time.
In 1972, the VFW was similar to the descriptions I have seen on this discussion, some good and some bad. I have received a great deal of support from my brothers and sisters in both organizations I recommend giving it a try and getting involved it one or the other, both if you have the time.
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I belong to the Legion and have for 30 years. Back then I tried to join the VFW. For proof of eligibility I brought in my DD214 which showed that I had a Navy Expeditionary Medal, which is one of the decorations recognized for membership. The person I was giving the application to asked what I had received the medal for. I told him it was a classified operation (which was true). He insisted I tell him, or he couldn't let me join. I told him I wouldn't breach national security to join his foolish organization and I left. I see VFWs closing all over the place, and it doesn't bother me a bit. They put themselves out of business.
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SFC Mark Landry
I agree with you dismay of this organization. I lived down the street from this VFW in Florida so it was on my way. I was asked to join them but was not sure about it. So I was invited to "come hang out for a while to see what I thought". I decided to go visit on a Saturday morning at about 1000. As I walked in I was greeted by the same person that invited me. The first thing he did was take me on tour of the facility. The first thing I noticed was the awful cigarette stink and the dingy yellow color of the ceiling tiles and the walls. then showed me the bingo hall, the stage area where they conduct award ceremonies and "Family" entertainment and lastly the kitchen area. I would not have prepared a meal for my horses or my dogs in this facility. Next we proceeded to the bar area where there where about 10 - 12 older gentlemen sitting high on their stools and I could tell they were half crocked before noon. We sat down, and I was asked what I wanted to drink. (Water Please) was all I said. Right then I could tell, I wasn’t going to like it here or fit in for that matter. I received my water and observed two more people enter the facility that seemed to me were already inebriated and promptly ordered up a round for themselves. I couldn’t believe my eyes. After all the time in the military and all the preaching I received about drinking & driving, DUI’s and all the repercussions to follow if I were busted, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was not about to jeopardize all of my accomplishments for one drink with a handful of Saturday morning boozers. No Thank you. I had a few more errands to complete before I returned to my home for some good clean family fun. I said thank you for the water and promptly departed. Need I say more?
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CMSgt Blaine Means
I agree with your observation and your opinion Mark. I am a lifetime member of the VFW regardless of what you think or what you saw while drinking your water they do have many programs helping people. I am proud to be a member of a positive organization you don't have to go there and drink it is your choice. They have a very strong lobby in Washington helping both you and me and you are not even a member just a veteran. So I think you should not berate the organization but instead thank them for fighting for your benefits. I was in the military when drinking was not frowned upon as it is now. I quit drinking 22 years ago 2 years before I retired, but still became a life member because of what they stand for and it is not just a bunch of "Saturday morning boozers". As long as alcohol is served in all three of the organizations mentioned there will be drinking. Another alternative for you is to join AA and go and drink water or coffee with the reformed veterans.
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SFC (Join to see)
My experience has been similar to that of SFC Mark Landry. While all fraternal organizations seem to provide worthwhile services to the community, I’ll wait until I’m in my 70’s to join. Every Elks, VFW, American Legion, or other similar club I’ve been to has been a gloomy, dirty, hole with old people suffering from alcoholism. The only up side to joining would $2 beers. This may offend a few people, but it’s my honest observation.
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