What would make American Legions and Veteran of Foreign War posts more appealing to join for you?

I want a place that I can go to with my wife and have a meal and some cocktails and maybe a sea story or two.

It's just like Congress, there all filled with old members who sit in little groups and exclude the younger members. I've been to a hall a few times over the years, but only because someone asked me to come play bingo. Sadly it felt like a nursing home bingo game hall, and I couldn't enjoy it. I also live in the far burbs and I have a hall close by, but I got a feeling I wouldn't enjoy hanging around there much. I'd be willing to help change the image of the VFW and bring in younger members with fresh ideals, but it would require a good salary and the authority to carry out the changes. But that's again is like Congress, the old guard would have to retire and let go of their power.

MAJ Robert H. I am a life member of the VFW but have never been to a Post. If I did go to post functions, it would be to connect with fellow veterans, especially Vietnam Veterans.

I'm 65 and gave been with the VFW for over 22 years. And I do agree with the comment made about the older members about what war you served in, and I have seen that some members who served in Viet Nam had comments made to younger vets about their service and some of the comments were degrading. Other reasons not enough membership in the VFW is that younger vets are still working and have no time to participate. Older Vets need to be more accepting of the younger vets that have served. I'll tell you our younger vets in these last years of war have served so many tours and some just don't want to relive experiences.

Totally agree with Bob Hoover. Vets are family centered now with very few looking for the "corner bar" to sit at for 4-5 hrs each day and tell war stories. So many ways to make them a place to visit for the Vet alone or the Vet and his friends and family.

I've participated with both organizations. Everyone is different based on region and the members.

My experience with both was that of a lack of willingness to embrace modern technologies in both cash apps for fundraising, and bringing in new members of any age with events that are inspiring enough to create interest.

The younger veteran is not interested in spending hours at time that they don't have on ineffective meetings.

Some of them need to show that they help the community, our post is small but, we show the community that we care about the youth of the town, and we have had a few younger people join sir MAJ Robert H.

I am a Vietnam veteran. I despise the labels ....... War era veteran. We all signed a blank check payable up to and including our lives. All wore the same uniforms. Time to loose the "holier than thou" attitude guys. Be glad a fellow veteran was not put in harms way. But for the grace of God, our names are not on The Wall.

I was an American Legion member for many years. They started a post close to me I called expressed my interest and never heard back again not a very welcoming proposition. Just lost interest over time and let my membership expire and will not renew.

I would start with not allowing smoking inside the facilities.

I joined the VFW as a member at large while I was still on active duty, but never attended any meetings. After I retired, I visited my local VFW hall in 2015 and when I walked in the door, the first thing I noticed was the gray haze from all the smokers and immediately was overwhelmed by the smell of cigarette and cigar smoke. I smoked for about the entirety of my 30 years of service and quit when I was diagnosed with cancer. I asked the “nice” lady at the front desk about the smoking and was informed that they allow it and don’t have any plans to change the policy. I said my thanks and left with no intentions of ever returning.

I’m not sure if the same policies exist in all VFW facilities, but that was the number 1 turn-off for me…