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

Although I understand the reasoning behind most orgs not wadding into politics (endorsements, statements), the recent actions of some political "leaders" towards the armed forces & veterans of past wars as being "Suckers & Losers", the organizations hold significant influence across their communities & nation & when political action directly harms not only our veterans but the morale & efficiency of our mem & women serving today, this is not the time to be silent, to be seated, but to unite & fight again for past & current members of our armed forces.

We have a Veterans Coffee House that offers all services to any vet with an HD including family members. We meet regularly every Wednesday and the only requirement is to be there. No dues and we have about 60+ every meeting. We also have different speakers, VA rep and donuts and as much coffee you can suck down. I’ve been going for three years and never miss a meeting. I see these types of organizations popping up all over with different names but the same. It’s not looking good for the VFW and Al

As far as the VFW is concerned, I will never sign on with them. In 1969 after nearly 3 years in SE Asia, I tried to join a VFW Post in a Major City in Ohio and was rejected because "we do not accept Vietnam Vets". Years later as membership was falling off due to older Vets dying, I was then asked to join. Well.... screw 'em. I was not good enough for them in 1969, they are not good enough for me now! From what I've read in other comments, they did not learn anything since the 1960s. I'm really sorry to hear that my fellow Vietnam Vets. are now treating younger Vets. the way we were treated. Wake up guys. These youngsters are every bit the Veterans we are. Treat 'em with the respect we should have gotten back then!!

I got involved with the VFW for several months, the unfortunate experience was that many members inside these organizations are still biased, racist and lack knowledge of the newer members from Desert Storm and more recent conflicts. Many outsiders not veterans have exploited their potential as a nonprofit business!

I joined the American Legion for one year. I paid the dues, and donated, but if you did or didn't donate, all they wanted was you to donate more and more and more money. That was all I ever received were mailings begging for more money. I didn't receive any invites to any meetings, NEVER ONCE did I even know about any meetings, or meet anybody else, in fact, I don't have any idea of what I was supposed to do but donate more money. I don't mind donating, but since that's ALL it was about, NEVER AGAIN.

I was in Nam 70-71 and never joined either organization because it did not seem necessary. However I serve as the WA State Chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve with is a Department of Defense office that recognizes supportive Guard and Reserve employers. We have a robust employer recognition program that once a year recognizes 15 employers that are nominated by their Guard and Reserve employees for the outstanding support they receive. This is real world recognition and if you are interested in volunteering for an outstanding organization please check out http://www.ESGR.mil and then contact your State ESGR office for additional information.

For the most part both the VFW & the American Legion are nothing more than a saloon. As such you will need to spend a lot of time there before you're accepted.

Less focus on alcohol, (the first thing you see is the bar) and more outreach to help the less fortunate.

Service in Vietnam is not a badge of honor. The war was unwinnable and strategically a backwater and exemplified how the Cold War Policy of "Containment" was improperly applied to a conflict that was nationalistic rather than ideological. The promulgators of "Containment" like George Kennan, Dean Atchison and others warned the US not to embroil itself in a war in Asia - a warning that was abysmally disregarded by the Johnson administration. A meticulous study of American foreign policy in the 1950s demonstrates how American statesmen were held hostage to a policy that to be vindicated need to be militarized The legacy of Wilsonialism persist to this day and is embodied in American Exceptionalism that strives to achieve hegemony in the modern world. American soldiers are killed regularly by the misapplication of the policy of Containment.

Concur with LtCol Janis. My Dad was WWII USMC and held the American Legion in very high regard his whole life. After my Navy retirement I found that the local American Legion Post had no regard whatsoever for me. Sadly, as valid and valuable as I view the objectives of the American Legion, I concur that survival for the Legion, like all "generational" things will pass.