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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Both the VFW and American Legion are "drinking" clubs. I don't drink, so I don't join or go.
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Those groups are created after WW2 and have been irrelevant since text messaging, toll free long distance calls, emails, social media and this site exist. Don't need a moose club for veterans when we can all talk to each other here. Just my thoughts.
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CSM Bob Stanek
PO1 (Join to see) I need to correct you on your timeframe. The VFW was formed in August 1914, while the American Legion was formed in March, 1919. So both have been around over 100 years. But their issues on membership issues have developed since the 1990s, alot being developed by Vietnam era members who were very determined to restrict membership.
Family relations doesn't seem to be a priority to the leadership, kin my opinion. Otherwise, I agree with your comments.
Bob S
CSM (R)
Family relations doesn't seem to be a priority to the leadership, kin my opinion. Otherwise, I agree with your comments.
Bob S
CSM (R)
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If the older members are hassling the newer members they have 2 ways of dealing with it, One way is to bring it to the attention of the officers and let them take care of the older members, 2 don't be afraid to stand up for yourself, if you do they will ether back off and treat you better or it could make it worse, that being said at that point you can go back to bringing it to attention of the officers in charge, they don't want members being pushed out so they should handle it for you.
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MSG Brian Wiscott
The older members that hassle the newer ones are comparing Apple's and Oranges, they are comparing 2 different wars that had to be fought in two different ways War is War.
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Cpl Rosemarie SantaAnna
it effects my breathing, health and Lungs.
also puts a STINK on my hair & Clothes!
also puts a STINK on my hair & Clothes!
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I was told that I was eligible for an "associate" membership, I gave the bar tender her beer back and left. They can close for all I care. Seriously, All I had to do was read what everyone else said below and immediately concur with most. My old man, U.S Army Korea, even treated it that way. I think the "boomers" named themselves the greatest generation.....So I'll simply refer anyone else to do the same. Say's it all...I'm a Cold War Vet, I'm eligible for nothing, I'm accepted no where, ....so be it!
Fuck them back!
Fuck them back!
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I agree with everything the Major said and like to add one more. RENOVATION. Most of these buildings are very old and outdated. The few I visited had the feel of a DIVE Bar. Not very welcoming.
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I also understand and have been told I’m not a real vet, because first I am AF, even though I served in Afghanistan and did a lot of things that most of them haven’t done. I wasn’t disrespectful I just let three know who I was about and made a decision to leave or go and let them be.
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PO2 Mike Vignapiano
The "old-timers" are not very welcoming. I served 12 yrs and was told I'm not a real sailor. It wasn't said jokingly either.
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MSgt Brandy Epps
PO2 Mike Vignapiano they had their things they went through and yes we are not the same, that’s a good thing. We are all on the same team and the VFW and legion were both created in a different time and era so I don’t go if I get offended by their lack of info or lack of respect.
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PO2 Mike Vignapiano
That's what it is, lack of respect. Desert Storm wasn't a picnic and neither was anything in the Mid-East.
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AS A VIETNAM COMBAT VET , I WOULD GET A LOT A GRUFF FROM THE GREATEST GENERATION WW2 VETS SOME NEVER SERVED OVERSEAS OR WERE IN COMBAT. THATS WHAT I REMEMBER MOST , ITS A GENERATIONAL THING. AM LEGION AND OTHER ENTITIES SHOULD BE MORE SUPPORTIVE FOR ALL VETS. MY OPINION.
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It depends on the post and who the leadership is and what they are doing. I visited an American Legion post in Pompano Beach, FL several times and was very impressed with the events, regular schedule, and members. Then I moved, I visited the local post here (elsewhere in FL) and it was mostly auxiliary and they could not be bothered with visitors - we were an interruption. So...both myself and my friend left and haven't gone back.
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