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

I have 8 years enlisted service and 8 years commissioned service. My last MOS was 31542 and I can prove everything I say by one of my DD214's or my VA statement of disability. To my knowledge I am the only man to have been hanged by the neck outside a C-130 at 1250 going east and lived to tell the tale.

I've been a member of the American Legion for 35 years and have never been to any event or meeting. I've been a member of the DAV a lot longer and a Life member, again never attended a meeting or event. I joined both because at the time they representated me in front of the VA. I joined the VFW for one year, that was the end. I didn't join The Special Forces Association because when they started if you didn't have 10 years wearing a Green Beret you were expected to sit and keep your mouth shut. I didn't join the Special Operations Association (SOA) because when Jim Butler (in the beginning the man who started the organization) asked me to join, I was in and out of the hospital recovering.

I have been involved in Veterans issues for many years in conjunction with the VA and the County Veterans Office. I was never looking for comrads or socializing from any of the organizations. I always wanted to inprove what we as a group of Veterans got and that is what I have worked for. I have fought the VA for almost 50 years now to get beter benifits and get them faster! I have been 100% Disabled for more than 30 years and have a 407.8 pound electric wheelchair but can only drive it around the block I live on for as many times as it will go until it runs out of juice because I don't qualify for the stipend the VA pays for a car to carry the chair! The question is, am I mean enough to outlast the VA or will I have to sue the VA to get the money I need to get the car. If I buy a car to move the chair then I lose the ability to get the stipend because I have proved I didn't need the $24k to buy the car.

I attempted numerous times to join American Legions both local and national and never received a response from either. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran and didn't serve in Country or Theater. Local post were more active to the drinking community and didn't accept those of us who didn't drink. I lost faith in the post. They truly need to become more attuned to family and community.

As a Woman Veteran, the male dominated environment is not welcoming to females. And it's even worse than when I was Active Duty as back in the Army I had a job to do, and we worked as a team. For me, it just feels like a "good old boys club."

I joined a local American Legion and left after a month. I'm female, served in the US Air Force from 1972 to 1977 during the Viet Nam era but never went to "Nam". The comment about oh, but you never went to "Nam" is absolutely spot on. The fact that I was a woman meant they wanted me to serve as secretary or get involved with the "Ladies Auxiliary". I volunteered at a spaghetti feed and it was pretty condescending (We've got it covered). I also checked into the Band of Brothers chapter here and asked "why don't you make it the Band of Brothers and Sisters?" Chuckles from the member staffing his recruitment table at a local event. "Of course, you're welcome." Sure. Also, the American Legion with its military pomp and circumstance meeting exercise is pretty droll. I get honoring the MIAs but, beyond that, I left the service and that saluting/marching crap behind. I think the organizations are stale and unnecessary. The AL community minded event involves a student essay contest to "prove your patriotism"? Geezus. MAGA supporters have ruined that one. The AL needs an overhaul.

Actually do something for Veterans, instead of always asking for money.

The problem dates back many decades and is disgusting today as much as it was after WW2 Vets came home. It needs to change or it will die because us Vietnam vets are getting older and can't do what we once did.
As far as female vets go all that's been said is correct. I'm married to a Navy Veteran and she can tell stories about being unwelcomed and seen as undeserving. She got hit on by older members constantly as if they thought they had the right. We met thru the Legion and married a few years later. More than a few times I've had to have a come to Jesus conversations with members about their conduct.
I've been a member of 3 different posts and on the executive committee of all three and commander in two for 2 years each. My post has worked from a new direction the last two years and our membership has shot up.
We serve veterans and their families, especially surviving spouses. I have a certified service officer and VA enrollment/travel office people in my Post quarterly. We do a free breakfast quarterly for vets and their families quarterly.
We produce a Post newsletter every month and send it to all those with emails and to those that stop by. Our meetings are structured as they are suppose to be but welcome and encourage members input. Our executive committee meetings are open to all. We have no secrets and prove it.
If you want to grow be transparent, welcoming, and inclusive. Get your members to strike up conversations with those who are wearing a hat indicating they are vets. Invite them to come to a meeting and have dinner if you serve it at meetings.
There are NO female veterans, black veterans, Hispanic veterans, etc. There are only veterans and until you do business with that in mind your Post will die a slow death. If you don't want to join your local post, contact me I'll be happy to have you as a member!

OK, so I am also a Scout leader, and if you look at the membership curve for the VFW, the American Legion, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Elks Lodge, the whatever the organization is - they have the same membership curve since the '70's - downward. This isn't a VFW or American Legion issue - it's a cultural issue. People are not interested in being part of a 'service' organization - they don't want to 'belong' to a group that does things, they want to do things themselves or do nothing. Look at the donation curve for charities - you will see the exact same curve. There has been a deep cultural change in America, and the veteran groups are feeling it the same as the others. Not sure what the implications are, but

Our local VFW post is an empty hall that rarely gets used for anything other than the monthly official meeting. But there are daily meetings of the old men in the basement bar that looks like a speakeasy, with walls yellowed either from the dim lighting or the decades of cigarette smoke trapped down there, to drink, smoke, play cards and bullshit. If there's a POC in there, I haven't met them.

When I walked in there, I was the ONLY woman who was under 60, and the only woman who wasn't behind the bar serving drinks. You can imagine how uncomfortable I felt, very quickly.

The old-white-mens-basement-bar look really isn't the best way to get veterans today from a military that has embraced diversity as a strength.

How about both organizations be more than just a bar?

MAJ Robert H. For me it revolved around three specific areas:

First a quick history on who I am. I've been a lifetime member of the Legion since 1977 or so. The VFW sometime after that. I was qualified for both since I was recognized as a Vietnam Vet at the very end of the conflict.

1) I attended a number of meetings at the local AL meeting and felt like the odd man in the crowd even thought I talked to the others. I'm not a beer drinker and that appeared to offend a couple people because I won't accept their offer.

2) I contacted the AL and offered to volunteer for their Honor Guard. I served as an Honor Guard member on Active duty multiple times and thought I could assist with the local group. I made three different attempts with the Post Commander and NEVER once received a call back.

3) I recommended engagement at on of the meeting to send out monthly emails to members. The Post commander did for about six months and stopped. So now, I know nothing of existing events. That was over three years ago.

4) Finally, I grew up with the American Legion and VFW with my fathers' service. We did multiple family events and picnics. Nothing like it these days. Bring the family in and you'll get new members.

I'm still a member, but sure don't feel like a member.

Bob S
CSM (R)
PS: I agree that there is an attitude of superiority from many of the existing Vietnam Vets. Too bad as we all serviced to protect this great county.