Posted on Dec 16, 2021
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American Legion and VFW posts are losing members and not getting new ones. I had this discussion with several leaders in both organizations. Older members are dying and new members are not joiners. The older members are often not welcoming either. I think making them family oriented and getting more involved in their community events might cause them to gain more relevance and awareness. This change should increase and gain more members. Thoughts?
The American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Family
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 568
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I won't go to a post where I can't fish - I also lie a lot :>D
The family oriented is the way to go. If people can't have fun then they will not return. A 'movie night' with popcorn might be good also - something to get people out of their houses with a potluck afterwards. Stay away from politics.
The family oriented is the way to go. If people can't have fun then they will not return. A 'movie night' with popcorn might be good also - something to get people out of their houses with a potluck afterwards. Stay away from politics.
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Suspended Profile
Ya ever make your own popcorn?
Suspended Profile
I think currently only qual7fied veterans should be in any political office.
SPC Matt Ovaska
What's wrong with politics? OH just sayin, at the VFW we gave up on the VA 50 years ago.
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I'm a member of both organizations. Sadly, the only communication I get from VFW is numerous fundraising letters and emails. America Legion sends out less. The last time I was in an American Legion post it took me three days to get over being gassed by all the cigarette smoke. One vet was smoking and also on O2. The culture of the organizations is not for me and I'm an old veteran.
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CPT Kenneth Losey
Smoking in Legion/VFW posts has been gone for a while. As an ex-smoker, that was welcome news for me. But in my opinion it killed the thriving Friday Night Dinner at my Legion Post. I'm uncertain why you don't get commo from Legion. My post uses Constant Contact to send out lots of email commo, e.g. meeting minutes. They also use Facebook to publish event schedules, etc. I'm not a VFW member(not eligible) but I get bombarded with mail from them because I made the mistake one time of sending them $25 for Wounded Warriors five years ago. They have wasted far more than that since then in postage and 'free' gifts.
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My husband and I are both Veterans. Years ago when we lived in Kansas the VFW had lots of activities, great meals, and many members who regularly patronized the post. They had family activities plus live music and dances in addition to bingo and much community involvement....in other words, something for everyone. We knew everyone and felt very comfortable socializing there. Not sure if times have just changed or what but we have lived in Arizona for over 20 years and found that going into a VFW or Legion post here feels very unwelcoming. Maybe if we were regular patrons we would not be looked upon as if we were invading their space. Plus the fact that they allow smoking and it seems like there is always a heavy fog of smoke hanging in the air. Who wants to go somewhere knowing you are going to come out smelling like a stale cigarette. I also agree with the response about being made to feel like you are not a REAL veteran....I don't think they even realize they are doing it.
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SPC Matt Ovaska
I was considered a real veteran when I got spit on and called baby killer. That does not happen at the VFW. I went back to the VFW in Lake Worth, FLA. Closed.! I guess the vets all died.
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If I have to tell them one more time, that I SERVED, I am not a family member of a veteran....
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I do understand that and when i have female Veteran's In any of our public appearances, in both the program and verbal introduction I present them by their Military rank. and make it clear they are Armed Force Veteran's Our Legion post doesn't have an auxiliary, those women in uniform are Veterans.
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
Hi Ma'am, I was registered twice as a family member with the American Legion and in correcting this mistake, I had to share a DD214, Service Record and other irrelevant information. Finally, the Legion corrected their mistake. I wonder that mistake will resurface again.
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SPC Matt Ovaska
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - Some how E-4 Matt does not have a special ring to it. other than bringing back bad memories..
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Perhaps if our loyalty was to America instead of politicians, it could grow again.
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SGT Gifford Allaire
There's far more veterans who are loyal to the constitution then to this shit government....I personally would rather see the entire Congress arrested and put into jail for corruption and treason.
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Sgt Ivan Boatwright
SGT Gifford Allaire - Corruption is so deep now under Taco Baby that is is easier to go down to find honor and courage than upwards. He is a symptom of the times that rewards corruption. As dumb as he is, only others with real control could put him in the power he has.
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A bunch of old people sitting around getting drunk. Not inviting. I do feel inferior that I spent 9 1/2 years in the Army during peace time. I would have gone any day, I was ready. My call never came.
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I agree l also get looks when l say l am a veteran, because l am a female and didnt serve in Nam. I tried to go numerous times. Also when a female says they would like to join either organization we are given the form for the Auxiliary.
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PO2 Matthew Schroer
A dear friend (70s) spent a bunch of time in Vietnam during the war, is a motherly figure in my life. It would piss me off if she was treated as you were. I dont agree with this mentality anymore.
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LCpl April Michalik
Mary I was an active member of my local AL and the Ladies auxiliary actively tried to recruit me. Asking me to join right in front of my fellow Veterans. Now that the VFW and AL auxiliarys are open to men. I hope that this type of sterotying women veterans into joining the Auxiliary will fade away,. We can only hope people wake up and see female for the Veterans that we are. I would like to thank you for your service and for paving the way for future generations..
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
Had the same problem. Sorted that out, but still get asked when I show up, where my husband is...
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The AL and VFW would be more appealing to me (1) if they were more actively involved in charitable work, (2) if they stayed out of local high schools, i.e., had nothing to do with military recruiting or Jr ROTC, and (3) if they stayed out of politics as an organization. In other words, be more of a community asset, less of an arm of the military services, and reject being an instrument of any political party. I'd also be more inclined to be an active member if alcohol and gambling were a lot lower on their agendas.
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Sgt Jerry Genesio
COL (Join to see) -Respectfully, Colonel, what % went to charity, and what% went to programs What kind of programs? Allowing orgs without a home to use a meeting room is laudable but wouldn't your building costs remain the same whether or not a meeting room is in use?
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PO3 Justin Bowen
"I'd also be more inclined to be an active member if alcohol and gambling were a lot lower on their agendas."
What else is ever actually on their agenda? I don't gamble and I rarely drink, much less drive to what is essentially a dimly-lit dive bar to drink with angry boomer vets who reek of cigarette smoke. There is nothing at all - and I do mean "at all" - attractive about my local AL and VFW posts (central South Michigan). I wandered into each once and immediately left.
What else is ever actually on their agenda? I don't gamble and I rarely drink, much less drive to what is essentially a dimly-lit dive bar to drink with angry boomer vets who reek of cigarette smoke. There is nothing at all - and I do mean "at all" - attractive about my local AL and VFW posts (central South Michigan). I wandered into each once and immediately left.
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SGT(P) Jennifer Brande
I was at my American Legion Department Fall Conference this past week and was actively engaged in a session on legislative affairs, they specifically said yes we are a political organization, yes we are a 501c which we have guidelines to abide by to keep our tax exempt status but I have been screaming (figuratively) with EVERY VSO organization I belong to that we want to get out and DO things and not sit in a dim or dark building at a bar getting drunk and telling war stories (oh and we don’t believe in belittling veterans of other generations either)
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Well this alone makes me not want to join "The older members are often not welcoming either." There needs to be a more welcoming environment and perhaps a welcoming committee that shows they do want newer generations to join. Plus, events that include and interest the newer generations.
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PO2 Bull Halsey
What would you like in an environment for younger vets and families? I want to know!
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A1C Michelle Pagan
PO2 Bull Halsey - Well, I would like to listen to music I know. I love all kinds of music, but I feel most comfortable with classic rock. Perhaps, more foods to my liking such as BBQ, Spanish, Indian, etc. Maybe there could be competitive cooking or family buffets where everyone brings something. How about family movie nights? Women's night out; Vets volunteering events, with food pantries, vets visiting/helping vets, etc; Kids competitions with kiting, RC cars, robots, etc. Perhaps a diverse group of women and men committee to come up with the possibilities.
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COL (Join to see)
SPC Lyle Montgomery - Right there with you! Here's how you change the music in a VFW Canteen: (1) Show up, regularly (2) Bring friends/guests (3) Play the juke box, if there is one. (4) Speak to the Commander -- volunteer to be on the Entertainment Committee, or the Canteen Committee. (5) Attend meetings and vote!
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COL (Join to see)
A1C Michelle Pagan - All great ideas! Some Posts already do these things. Which ones? -- the Posts that have volunteers willing to organize and execute them. Especially the "family" oriented activities - these have to be organized and led by... members with young children. In my experience, this is the only way that happens. It only takes 1 person to start something...
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