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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It really depends on the post. Some posts do better than others in getting new members. Also, one of the factors that is common is smoking. If the post is non-smoking it will do better in getting new members. Post halls have to change in order to accommodate new members too. Like having video game and computers for them to use. Especially for jobs and education for the latter one.
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PO2 Matthew Schroer
If not non smoking, purchase and maintain a filtering system like those found in a cigar club
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I have belonged to the VFW for 52 years. When I got back from Nam I didn't go to the club much because It was my Dad's group and I really didn't feel welcome. Now it's the Iraq and Afganistan boys. I am a life member and have went through the VFW in getting My disability. The VFW and Legion are great organizations. I just don't care to go to the clubs. A lot of us Vietnam vets never felt welcome in the clubs.
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SGT Chris Padgett
Vietnam Vets are the "Old Guys" these days.
Hell, I'm 52 and a Desert Storm vet and I'm an old guy now.
Hell, I'm 52 and a Desert Storm vet and I'm an old guy now.
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SGT Chris Padgett
It has nothing to do with age.
Go to your local American Legion, check it out. See what it has to offer.
It it's not a good fit, go to another.
The reality of it it is, we have the largest window of eligible veterans than ever before.
If you guys join, you have the numbers to make a change.
Go to your local American Legion, check it out. See what it has to offer.
It it's not a good fit, go to another.
The reality of it it is, we have the largest window of eligible veterans than ever before.
If you guys join, you have the numbers to make a change.
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How Nashville's American Legion Post 82 is Keeping Honky Tonk Culture Alive
While Nashville grows and gentrifies, the American Legion Post 82 offers a honky-tonk getaway where old-school country is still cool.
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CPT (Join to see)
Luke McQueary Band at American Legion Post 82, East Nashville 7/26/21
Please subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/AUPromotions?sub_confirmation=1Love seeing these guys at the local American Legion Post on Mondays!Camera: Debby ...
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CPT (Join to see)
Tommy Ash - "Ain't Cha Mama" - American Legion Post 82 Live Session
Tommy Ash performing "Ain't Cha Mama" (a new track from her upcoming album), live at the American Legion Post 82 in East Nashville, TN in March 2017.https://...
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As a woman Veteran who served over seas ,joining the VFW when I returned home was my goal. I brought my DD214 proud and ready to join. I was told that the wife's Aug. was where as woman I was welcome to join. I served just like ever man and deserved to be treated as they were treated , but no. Needless to say I did not join and will not join do to the disrespect I was shown.
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As a woman the hostility is unbelievable! And I have a CAR!!! Combat Action Ribbon for those who don’t know! I’m just a woman I shouldn’t be allowed to hang out there or with the crusty men.
Like anything else you don’t go where you aren’t wanted or comfortable! I don’t get any of the not real war comments, I get that I didn’t earn my CAR and that it was just given to me!
Why force myself on people that do not have an ounce of respect for me or my accomplishments!
I choose my battles and this is one that isn’t worth the fight. Additionally, the wives club think that as a woman you should hang out with them. I am the Veteran not the Veteran’s spouse! Neither the old crusty’ nor their wives want my presence!
Respectfully,
Carri
Like anything else you don’t go where you aren’t wanted or comfortable! I don’t get any of the not real war comments, I get that I didn’t earn my CAR and that it was just given to me!
Why force myself on people that do not have an ounce of respect for me or my accomplishments!
I choose my battles and this is one that isn’t worth the fight. Additionally, the wives club think that as a woman you should hang out with them. I am the Veteran not the Veteran’s spouse! Neither the old crusty’ nor their wives want my presence!
Respectfully,
Carri
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CMDCM Gene Treants
Keep looking. Some, not all, FRAs are great. CAR in Navy is unusual so Great for you. Thanks for the share Shipmate!
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Maj Gail Lofdahl
When I wasn't allowed to join my local VFW post because I wasn't a "real combat veteran" (despite a Korean short tour) after I retired from AD, I asked myself the same question--is it worth it to fight your way into an organization that detests and demeans you? (To their credit, when I contacted the national organization, they did offer to "talk to those good 'ol boys and set them straight," but I told them not to bother.) I now know two of the officers of that post (the "good 'ol boys" who kept me out have probably drunk themselves to death by now) and could join, but there are just too many other organizations that will accept and welcome me with open arms. Why waste my time on the VFW?
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When I returned from Nam it was very out front, they told me face to face they didn’t want or need my kind. Changed after a couple years but I see it’s the same same
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SPC Lyle Montgomery
SFC O conner. When I returned from Nam in 1970 I was welcomed to the VFW. I couldn't go in without one of the older guys, My dads buddies, buting me a beer. The trouble was that I never smoked and their smoke eaters didn't work and they played Country music . I hate country music so Even though I was welcomed, I didn't go there much.
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I'm a Gulf War Vet and have been a member of both The Legion and "The V" since 1992 ish.
I grew essentially grew up in both, having a WW II submariner as a Father.
The organizations are what you make of them. Regardless of what you think of the old "codgers" sitting at the end of the bar, you make the effort to sit and listen !
People are creatures of habit and we insulate ourselves to "our group".
Having been on a short AID of recruiting, it's not difficult for me to walk up and introduce myself to a "post stranger" with a smile on my face.
I encourage all to join and get involved !
We need each other !
I grew essentially grew up in both, having a WW II submariner as a Father.
The organizations are what you make of them. Regardless of what you think of the old "codgers" sitting at the end of the bar, you make the effort to sit and listen !
People are creatures of habit and we insulate ourselves to "our group".
Having been on a short AID of recruiting, it's not difficult for me to walk up and introduce myself to a "post stranger" with a smile on my face.
I encourage all to join and get involved !
We need each other !
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SPC Martin Meyer
Once you make the effort and remain a member for years and nothing happens. You try to become part of a post close to home, you contact them, they say they will get back to you and that never happens. Time to move on.
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When I and a 80 year old veteran friend walked into our local AL hall for the first time, we were not greeted nor when I asked for membership info, none was available. It was for a Cajun shrimp bowl feast. I paid for our meals and we waited for dinner the bell. Food was good, booze was cheap but again, no acknowledgement to veterans (there were quite a few civies there). It was like going to a local bar and pretty much you are on your own. We did make the best of it. When I did find someone part of the "staff", I asked why they did not ask before the meal; who were vets, who was a first timer etc or some type of welcome. He just shrugged. We tried a few more times, I even joined for a couple years but it was too dysfunctional. In 2 years I think I received 3 or 4 of the "monthly" news letters. Went to a couple board meetings offering my help to no avail... I did visit a couple other halls that seemed better but were far from my home. Once this C-19 cr@p is finally over, I may look into one that a vet told me about. Thank you to all my fellow brothers and sisters for your current and/or past service. And peace to the ones that have gone before. God Bless America, still the greatest nation in the world, past and present! Let's keep it that way!
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I’d love to hear what would be helpful and useful for our Twwenty-year War Vets that we older Vets could offer and supply! We learned a lot of lessons as we aged!
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