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

When the bullets fly and shells explode around you,and you fire back, declared war or not, you're in a war ! VFW and other veteran organizations should recognize that for the veteran contributions whenever he serves, especially where the bullets fly and shells explode around him !

There is not an organization in my town that I would be eligible to join and I quit driving at night, so everything else is out. I do have great conversations with other veterans in VA waiting rooms.

I will never join VFW. Mainly for the reason I didn't serve overseas, but the pervasive attitude is why I really won't. I'd rather be around veterans who don't thump their proverbial chests all the time and belittle my service because it's not the 'nam.

Reciprocity would be nice. I volunteered at my local chapter for years, but never received support for community events I held. Pretty lame leadership.

Women aren’t readily accepted either. If you aren’t in the “clique “ same thing. Being judged. HARD PASS

I have a lifetime membership for the VFW. I have never been to any of their meetings and only been inside twice. Can't stay very long as it smells of cigarettes. I do not like the smell. Same goes for our American Legion. I let my membership for there expire.

I )am a Navy Combat (Yes Combat) Vet, Delta 1969-70. I go to some VFW Posts and am looked down on as I am not a "Real" combat veteran. You don't want me - I am not going to waist my time.

My first experience was with my highly decorated WWII veteran dad. Mom and dad went to the local VFW once a month dinner and dance. When I went in and did a tour in Vietnam, came home, dad took me up and signed me in. He wanted me to sign up. They refused. Dad tore up his life membership card in front of them. 6 months later someone knocked on his door. It was a VFW officer from the big headquarters, wanted to interview him about that incident. Reluctantly he did. Well a month later the hall was closed. They had removed all the officers. A month later HQ reopening it with their own people and inviting everyone local there. They held new elections. Reopened. Still dad did not go back. In 1991 I applied for VA disability and was denied. In 1995 I was at a co workers party where his neighbor was there. In a brief conversation I found out he was a VFW service officer. He said bring your documents over next week to his office. I did. As he thumbed through it he looked up and said where ya been? This is good stuff. He filed. 11 months later I get 40%. He says we’re appealing that. 10 months later I’m 60%. Now the Delma. I’m in the National Guard. So I had to waive VA pay when I drilled. So after 9/11 our BN was activated. As luck had it I was held back as rear acting 1st sgt. My next VA appointment the doctor suggested a sleep study. From that I was issued a CPAP. After my AD time I was eligible for promotion to CSM having command time. However I was boarded, and max years of service plus non deployable with CPAP, I was retired.
I am a lifetime member of VFW. My local has no WWII members left. A dozen Vietnam veterans but mostly Desert Storm and Afghanistan. They do a lot for the community also. In fact the current service officer is also my financial advisor who recently filed an upgrade for me and I hit 90%. Then filed TDIU and that was my Christmas bonus last year. In Texas I am now totally exempt from property taxes. $8 car tabs, virtually no tolls, free hunting fishing licenses. Oh and our local American Legion is strong and active. They actually sub lease a room in the VFW hall. 75% of their membership is post Vietnam.

The older Veterans are in many cases the only ones stepping forward to be officers and take positions of responsibility. Where was the younger Veterans haven't really showed a desire to take leadership roles in the Legion. But, this has been a fact since I joined the Legion in 1982. I was discharged in 1969, and yes I am one of those "nam" Vets.
I didn't join earlier because of the same reasons todays young Vets aren't joining because the "older" Vets more or less shunned us.
Solutions? I don't think there is one unless you can offer a good incentive like a deal on Lifetime memberships for Veterans of a certain younger age group. They legions must be more involved in programs within their communities. Softball tourneys with the local schools participating, same for soccer, lacrosse, etc. Get girls involved in school programs.
It is my belief that younger Vets would become more involved if there were more local youth programs for them to coach, mentor, and attend schools on Veterans and Memorial days, or volunteer for talking with school history classes.
There are a multitude of Legion jobs available to younger Vets to work with local elementary and high schools.
The Legion focuses on National programs for sports and Oratorical contests. Start more local programs, that could eventufrally possible be worked in thigh National Legion programs.

Bill Braniff
East Millinocket, Maine 04430

Seriously the only reason that I will not visit is because of indoor smoking.Period The members seem to think that they are living in pre 1980 rules.In door smoking has been banned everywhere on Federal property since Reagan made it so.And yes they're some what Federally Funded.