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

It seems to vary widely by post. There's at least one American Legion post in my state that has an active community, family friendly events, female leadership (not just female friendly), AND the regular crowd that likes to have a couple beers with fellow veterans. Sadly, they are too far from me and the closer posts I've visited seem nothing like it. That said, I've seen very little social media and zero local advertising so maybe the perfect post for me is nearby but as yet not found. There's a limit to how much effort I'm going to put into find it. Would love for each post to have a Facebook page that actually tells what's going on. Even if that night is just "the bar is open." I could follow all the nearby posts and if I start seeing things I'm interested in I could follow up directly.

I joined a local branch of the Legion and left because of the smoking, which is so bad that every time I went home, I had to wash or dry clean my clothes because of the invasive smell.

It's interesting and dismaying to see this phenomenon repeat itself. In 1971, just back from RVN, I was escorted to the door at my local VFW bar (oops, post) because drug-addled baby-killers who lost a war weren't approved by the REAL vets from WWII (and, provisionally, from Korea, sort of).

At the Vietnam Veterans of America's founding convention (1983) we adopted the motto "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another". The problem we face is that orgs like the Legion and VFW tend to attract a certain type of personality into the ruling ranks. VVA constantly was pushed under in Michigan by VFW/Legion types. The folks who supported us were the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and AmVets, along with a few others.

Now that "we" have long since taken over VFW/Legion, "we" have become the oppressors there.

Over a year ago I joined the American Legion, via the calling card you get in the mail. I filled out the form to transfer to the local office. Never heard a word. I bumped into someone that was a member, and gave him my telephone for someone to call. Not a word. I kept getting donation requests in the mail, and did not donate. I wrote a letter to their Headquarters concerning the issue and no reply. Needless to say, I did not renew. I sent the renewal form back, with a note explain why. Never heard a word.

Brothers and sisters in arms, I have an opinion that may fall on deaf ears and that is fine. The VFW and AL are both organizations that no one is required to join. I joined for the camaraderie and friendships that can and will eventually come. My family served in ww1-ww2-Korea-Vietnam-gulf war-Iraq and Afghanistan. I respect them all. I love the stories that are told. The ones that trigger and the ones that are heroic. Makes no difference to me. Tough skin and a good attitude will carry you thru a lot of the bullshit that comes with being a member of these groups. My stories are just as important to theirs. Although theirs seem to be more interesting and entertaining. My wife was not in the military, but she has lived it thru me. Our families play an important role in these organizations whether they believe it or not. For those that have been shunned, sit next to the Vietnam vet and just enjoy being by your brother or sister in arms. Small talk don’t always work, but just being there may bring out their feelings or they may make small talk. Me, personally, I like seeing new members. I don’t talk much at all, but I listen and learn. Sometimes just being there is enough for the older warriors. Smartass remarks May piss you off, but you can be just as salty. Enjoy the moment that you are part of history just as much as they are. Just my 2cents worth

Perhaps a first year reduced rate would make the facilities more accessible and allow newcomers to see the value.

I served 3 tours in Vietnam with the USAR. Though I donate to the VFW at least twice a year, I elected to join our local American Legion post, giving back to our community. I am proud to be part of a fine organization! No matter what your capacity may have been or where you served in the military, it's important to be PROUD. Do not let others demean you. You are not a loser or a sucker as we all served our country in uniform.

Back in the ‘60’s, neither organization wanted the Vietnam vets, my applications to both were never replied to. The first thing they need to do is to make serious apologies to Vietnam vets admitting they’re prejudice like the majority of society. We were depicted as violet, drugged up psychos in the media and not to be trusted. Next, they can stop asking me for donations in the mail…they’re looking down a dry well.

Funny thing when I returned home from Vietnam, I was turned away in their eyes that was ok, they did the same thing to my brother, to this day I have joined any organization, it’s all about the money not the veterans.

I was told that "VFW" stood for Veterans of Foreign Women"????? Go to Nam & see for yourself. The kids are not called Asian, but "Eurasian". The other joke is to let draft dodgers like Mr. Clump join.