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

It’s funny that the Vietnam vets were treated poorly by the guys from WWII and Korea, now they do the same to the younger guys. I say join. I’m a member of both. We need to take the ball forward. Not everyone is hostile towards us.

I agree with you 100% The elders are set in their ways (regardless of prior military or not) and as accepting to younger recruits. I think that both organizations should accept all instead of having certain requirements. Not all get deployed. For whatever reason. To me, it doesn't make you less of Soldier, Sailor, or Marine. But in some if not most if you didn't serve across the Pacific or across the Atlantic or across any open sea then you ain't. In reality it's the wrong thinking. By allowing former and or current military in, we can work and become one. Maybe having just 1 price for both organizations might help. Maybe have more programs out there. Theres no sure answer. Simply put try a survey and see what needs to be improved or how to get new members. I know for me I would go to meetings and be more social in the local American Legion vs just paying my dues for the state I live in at the main headquarters

Thank you for the up vote Maj Robert Hoover

I also know that the SAL( Sons of Am Legion)operate a lot of the events. It does not matter to me as long as the membership numbers rise. IMHO, I think the AL has some really great dis counted benefits, but they spend a lot on mailings that could be used for other programs.

I just joined as lifetime member for VFW and DAV tried to join Lifetime member at American legion it's way too expensive, so set up yearly membership for auto pay. I never go just a member just in case I get bored and want to go later on.

I remember I went to American legion and asked for help with my claim they assigned me someone and he was drinking while doing my paperwork I had to re do my claim and we needed help we had our power shut off I asked for help they didn't help I was a member after that I left them alone

1.Cut the religious crap. These organizations are supposed to help all vets, not just the ones who follow your subset of religion.
2. Cut the asskissing of politicians. I don't care that you don't like <insert whoever here>, vets come in all political affiliations (Democrat, Republican, whatthefuckever) and the smack talking of certain subsets puts people off.

Any organization of veterans no matter where you served should have respect for other veterans if they don’t eventually they will end up closing the doors this needs to happen the older veterans are not going to be around forever my dad was a lifetime member of American legion and the vfw in ohio in all of my years I have never heard of such things happening when I would go on leave to these places with my dad I was treated with the utmost dignity possible

‘I must confess my mixed attitudes or opinions of many of these Veterans organizations are or more accurately put, very possible of my own makings. Many Veterans (some of who have been mentioned as a negative factor withing Vet. Org.) more than likely most have had similar experiences and developed attitudes as I did or have. Due to my assigned duties (MOS) in Vietnam, plus consequently being attached to an Infantry Division, created IMO enemies on both sides of the (fence) conflict. Members of my squad and others being of like designation were about the only ones I could, at the time, refer to as “brothers in arms”. In fact, myself and the others like me had almost as many injuries, beaten, stabbed, clubbed assaulted with firearms by U.S. personal as we received from our common enemy, Charlie. All Chuck ever did was shot, blow us up or kill us. But, Forbidden or at our own peril, to never entered some infantry unit club, common club or beer garden, or any open gathering, even the coveted & rare cook outs with stakes, free beer, entertainment etc. If we were recognized even without rank or ID designation on our fatigues, then more than likely all hell broke loose. Not whining or trying to gain the “PLOM” (poor little ole me) sentiment, it was what it was. Accepted and dealt with as a reality, in some instances their actions were maybe justified, not judging. Mainly our only recourse was to dwell within or with our own kind as much as possible. Was difficult to do when away from one of the base camps. To have assignments that required stays at RONs, FSBs, or some units rally areas was precarious at best. While on perimeter guard at a FSB, during a ground attack, our APC was pinged a couple of times from the rear. My point is the mental attitude of isolation, rejection and constant awareness around others of our forces was very evident when I returned home. Not to mention the having to deal with stench of the public attitudes or perceptions of us “horrible old baby killers” even from my own siblings and relatives. A few years after I come home a friend of mine, a Navy veteran, invited wife and I to attend a VFW Bingo party. It was OK, lots of fine folks, very friendly and nothing was brought up to ridicule or condemn Vietnam or its Veterans. I joined and never had any bad incidents or encounters about who done what or where, despite my attitude of distance and reluctance to “be one of the guys”. Having to fight within myself the “ole bones” of my Vietnam experience coupled with added perceptions that I was a freak or some sub-human being that society had declared I/we were. I begin to run from the situation, state to state, town to town looking for who knows what, I visited several of the veterans org. Never allowing myself to be part of any, I would always get that feeling of rejection due to something being wrong with me, in turn blaming the organization for being snub, stuck up, clannish, etc. resulting a few times in physical un-pleasantness. Which I was and am not proud of. Short version of this novel, moving ahead some 40 years. Returning TX , life member of the VFW, AL, Purple Heart Society, DAV, I find that much has changed over the years. I have gained the ability and skill to combat and beat off much of my old feelings and attitudes, not removed but have lessened their intensity. There are many Veterans just like me out there. Attending the meeting of especially the VFW and AL, I still have the loss of the deserved sensitivity for many of these new age veterans. As they talk or tell the tales of their experiences, I sit there with thoughts of VN and say to myself, “you ain’t seen shit” “that’s a crock of shit” “ wished I’d had you back in the day, I’d show you blab la blab la”. I’d introduce myself to the gate keeper and in my minds eye, I would see a desk dude with the attitude of Heap big Warrior, large and in charge of the card checking. Logically and actually, these are all good folks, having served honorably and rightfully proud, the problem is within me. I would imagine to younger vets I am a snob, stuck up, arrogant, thinking I was Sgt. York or some other heap big warrior. I assure you that is not true. The most important point I must make is, all new Veterans have patients with the older vets. Don’t give up and make decisions hastily that these Organizations are not for you, or all the Vets there are not what you expected or hoped for. Try to find out what era these farts were involved in and make some questions about their experiences. Don’t come on so strong with what you did or where were. I hope me explaining my situations and how, why I feel and reacted can help to create a comradery with all veterans. The times are sadly creating a barrier between all of our citizens with differences, Veterans are and always will be a distinct class of people. Patriots, givers, ready to do what is necessary to preserve and prosper in the Unique Status you have so rightly earned and deserve.

I am a member of the American Legion because I served during Granada. I like my Post and the member there. The accept women veterans with open arms although there have been some Posts that would not even acknowledge me 20+ years ago. My post does a lot for the community and the members.
As for the VFW, I am not eligible although I would have been had I spent 30 days in Berlin with my cousin or brother TDY when they were there. I could have hung out with my cousin in his office learning what it was like there since we had the same MOS and he had more stripes than I did. A bit of training and it would have floated and I would have been eligible for the VFW.
However, no way would I have ever wanted to join the VFW. It sucks. I remember when I saw VN vets being belittled by their family members and WWII vets who were members about not being real Soldiers, Marens, etc. Being told that VN was not a WAR. One young man was told he didn’t belong in the VFW and his service didn’t count…the young man had lost an eye, an ear and an arm. The VN vets, many barely 21 were called crybabies and other things by the WWII vets. I got rediculed when I was tending bar and bought a young returning VN vet a Welcome Home drink.
When the VFW realized it was going to die out, it opened its doors to the VN vets. The old vets had to do something so they swallowed their pride and let the crybaby VN vets in. Now, in some Posts the VN vets have adopted the WWII attitudes and have to let the young vets in in order to keep their precious posts running. It is a shame they have that attitude. I still have a bad taste in my heart about the VFW. My brother is 9 years younger than me and he joined on his Berlin service on his DD414. He likes his post. I won’t give any post my money or the time of day. Perhaps it was the fact they were in a bar and the beer speaking those many years ago. I don’t think so.