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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VFW was established and chartered for Veterans Of Foreign Wars, not since the Civil War has there been a War on American soil. One qualifier for membership, is assignment to a combat theater.
The American Legion does not require combat zone assignment, so Cold War Veterans are welcome there.
I do not know about the requirements for AMVETS.
The American Legion does not require combat zone assignment, so Cold War Veterans are welcome there.
I do not know about the requirements for AMVETS.
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LTC Joseph Gross
Again. The government did not make these rules. The organizations did. And Cold War service does not meet the AL Requirements.
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I am a member of both. Normally any veteran can join the legion, you must meet certain other criteria ( periods of service/ campaign medals, CAR, etc) to join the VFW.
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SGT Larry Wilson
It amazes me how many vets that belong to the AL do not know that they exclude Cold War vets by dates of service.
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VFW allows for a lot of veterans to join. Even submariners who earned their deterrence patrol pin meet eligibility. Should all veterans who served during the era of the cold war be allowed to join? Not the VFW in my opinion. I'm a Legion member myself so I can't speak for the VFW.
Here is the actual eligibility requirements.
http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFWorg/Join/sept2012%20ElgibilityFolder2.pdf
Here is the actual eligibility requirements.
http://www.vfw.org/uploadedFiles/VFWorg/Join/sept2012%20ElgibilityFolder2.pdf
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