Posted on Jun 11, 2014
Who Here is a member of the VFW or the American Legion? If so who are you with and why?
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Both groups do a great job of supporting military members past and present. Who do you feel is a better group for you and why?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 55
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I'm a member of both groups. I'm the second vice for Thomas Tucker Post 204 in Susanville, CA. I'm a member because my husband (another Marine) and I needed the people aspect of the military that civilians just don't have. I'm an officer because I want to make our post more active in the community.
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SSG (Join to see)
That's the attitude needed! Can have a healthy membership base without showing the community what the post does! As we all know, military is an active classification to have in ones resume! That plus 'making it happen' are examples of what will make or break a post's level of membership and how participative they are.
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I'm not currently a member of either but the older I get the more I see a need for them. Coincidentally I'm going to the local Legion Hall tonight to scope it out.
I used to think they were just for the older generations of vets but now I realize it doesn't matter if I can hang out there or not we need to support both as they are the largest lobby for Vets in Washington.
I used to think they were just for the older generations of vets but now I realize it doesn't matter if I can hang out there or not we need to support both as they are the largest lobby for Vets in Washington.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Fortunately for you PO3 (Join to see) you are now becoming the 'older' generation of vets...wisest advise I have had when entering 'their' establishment, buy the most Senior Oldest guy a drink...and you'll never have to buy drinks again...bad move if you are a recovering alcoholic, and never bring your hot wife to the bar....
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LCpl Clif Crosswhite
I agree with PO3 Samuel Walters I always thought it was for the "old guys" my brothers father in law who is a Vietnam Vet has been asking me to join after reading this and reading yalls response I'm gunna go down and join up with his chapter
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PO3 (Join to see)
Update: I visited our local American Legion Platt National Park Post #148 last night. The folks that attended the meeting last night were indeed older vets. The youngest vet there was in his 60's. But they were excited to see me and were very nice. They expressed the hope that I would join and more younger vets would get involved and take over as officers, etc. So I am joining up. I even went to work today and personally went around recruiting all the younger vets I know to get them active and to join. We shall see how it works out! I will most likely join the VFW on a national level too since we do not have a local VFW in my area.
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I am a Life Member of the VFW. My Post is a non-alcoholic, non-smoking post. We focus more on giving back to the community doing color guards, funeral honors, etc.
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I can't find the thread in which I originally stated my opinion about VFW and American Legion, but this past weekend I left my kid's soccer game and took an alternate route home due to traffic. I discovered an American Legion post that was holding a barbecue, so I pulled in and got myself some pulled pork and peach cobbler at 10am. During that time, I noticed a number of people my age and YOUNGER (omfg), and struck up a conversation.
This post is apparently one of the more respectable posts in my area, according to its possibly-biased members. They don't engage in bouts of drinking, they only meet once a month, and their focus is on the community and veterans. The young guys, OEF and OIF vets, don't feel out of place or disrespected, and their commander makes it a point to stomp it flat if he sees it or hears of it.
So I paid my dues and will be attending a meeting next week. I'm willing to give it a shot and man enough to admit I'm wrong, if that's the case (jury's still out, gotta wait until the 20th).
This post is apparently one of the more respectable posts in my area, according to its possibly-biased members. They don't engage in bouts of drinking, they only meet once a month, and their focus is on the community and veterans. The young guys, OEF and OIF vets, don't feel out of place or disrespected, and their commander makes it a point to stomp it flat if he sees it or hears of it.
So I paid my dues and will be attending a meeting next week. I'm willing to give it a shot and man enough to admit I'm wrong, if that's the case (jury's still out, gotta wait until the 20th).
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PO2 Corey Ferretti
That is awsome you found a post like that. I have joined a VFW and legion both were more worried about the drinking then veterans issues. I started a PTSD support group at a legion and everyone was on board then a month later i got a phone call that said that i cant have the group there anymore because they were worried about someone getting violent or having a flash back. I have not been back to a legion or VFW since.
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SSG Tim Everett
Glad you posted on this, as I couldn't find it.
I went to the Legion meeting last night. Somehow volunteered myself for their colour guard because they didn't have enough to be able to march in a parade. Good thing I can do D&C and manual of arms in my sleep!
I went to the Legion meeting last night. Somehow volunteered myself for their colour guard because they didn't have enough to be able to march in a parade. Good thing I can do D&C and manual of arms in my sleep!
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SGT Thomas Lucken
Each Post and it's members are what they make of it! I say that, because my Post is very active and involved not only in the community the Post is in, but the surrounding area!
We are a Post 70 people with a wide variety of active members from as young as 25 to as old as 96. I have done military rites where I am the youngest at 52, but also the oldest for a color guard in our Post at 52. Our Quartermaster is a 31 yr old young Lady and does quite well.
We are in a dry town and don't have a bar per say. We do have a soda machine with beer selections in it. :-) Only a couple of times a year, do we have any events with beer involved. One is our Grand Raffle in June, which is our big money maker.....
Hell our young members organized and ran a event this past fall to raise 6000 dollars for the Post! The Commander I put word out to the older members: "Stay out of the way, and let them run it".....
We are a Post 70 people with a wide variety of active members from as young as 25 to as old as 96. I have done military rites where I am the youngest at 52, but also the oldest for a color guard in our Post at 52. Our Quartermaster is a 31 yr old young Lady and does quite well.
We are in a dry town and don't have a bar per say. We do have a soda machine with beer selections in it. :-) Only a couple of times a year, do we have any events with beer involved. One is our Grand Raffle in June, which is our big money maker.....
Hell our young members organized and ran a event this past fall to raise 6000 dollars for the Post! The Commander I put word out to the older members: "Stay out of the way, and let them run it".....
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I'm a Freemason and most Military lodges look out for the Vets. I've only visited a couple Military Lodges. I've looked into both Orgs and them seem like they both are great Orgs. I'll look into joining one or the other soon!
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SSG Maurice P.
I'M A A.F.A.M FREEMASON...I'M A LIFE MEMBER OF THE VFW I BELONG TO THE AMERICAN LEGION ALSO...IM A ODD FELLOW AND A SHRINER
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SGT Thomas Lucken
One thing to remember Terry, most VSOs do have Service Officers to represent Veterans with the VA. Most of the VSOs also have Legislative branches in DC to fight for Veterans rights! Does the Freemason's do that?
With those same VSOs, they will represent you at VA if you request it and don't have to be a member of that VSO. I use the VFW, since I have been active with them over 20 years! I am a member of the Legion, but not to content in their operations!
With those same VSOs, they will represent you at VA if you request it and don't have to be a member of that VSO. I use the VFW, since I have been active with them over 20 years! I am a member of the Legion, but not to content in their operations!
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A Vietnam Veteran talked to me one day while I was volunteering with a local Boy Scout Troop at a fundraiser about joining the VFW and after discussing about the many things the VFW does for non-member active/reserve duty service members and veterans I figured I'd join.
Since joining and stepping in to take on some patriotic volunteer opportunities and talk with other veterans about their experiences not only in combat but since then has been a thoroughly appreciated benefit...something money cannot buy.
But speaking of money, I do not like paying money to organizations forever so the lifetime membership of the VFW beat out the paid up for life option the American Legion offers.
Plus, as the oldest (surviving) veterans organization (that does not focus on only one race that is), there's a certain amount of enjoyment knowing so many of our veterans have been part of since 1899.
Since joining and stepping in to take on some patriotic volunteer opportunities and talk with other veterans about their experiences not only in combat but since then has been a thoroughly appreciated benefit...something money cannot buy.
But speaking of money, I do not like paying money to organizations forever so the lifetime membership of the VFW beat out the paid up for life option the American Legion offers.
Plus, as the oldest (surviving) veterans organization (that does not focus on only one race that is), there's a certain amount of enjoyment knowing so many of our veterans have been part of since 1899.
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I've been a lifetime VFW member since my first deployment. I just thought that joining the VFW was what you were supposed to do when you got home.
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SFC Michael Hartwig
American Legion Post 49 Pequot Lakes, MN since 1993. Also will be joing the VFW when I return home.
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SFC Michael Hartwig
And yes it is the thing to do because your membership helps fight for all Veterans Benefits
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Commander: VFW Post 450 Alsip, IL,
Secretary: Navy Seabee Veterans of America Island X-19 Alsip, IL
Member: American Legion Post 755 Manteno, IL
Associate Member: Marine Corps League Kankakee, IL
there wasn't an option to "Select All"
I joined to continue my service after I retired, to give back for what was given to me, for the camaraderie, and a cheap beer every now and then...
Secretary: Navy Seabee Veterans of America Island X-19 Alsip, IL
Member: American Legion Post 755 Manteno, IL
Associate Member: Marine Corps League Kankakee, IL
there wasn't an option to "Select All"
I joined to continue my service after I retired, to give back for what was given to me, for the camaraderie, and a cheap beer every now and then...
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I am a member of VFW, American Legion, and AMVETS. All three are excellent organizations and represent our Nation's Veterans well in Washington. There is no right or wrong answer as to which is better; it's up to the local posts and the individual member... I would say choose the one (or ones) that you are most comfortable with and whose programs are most in line with your own interests.
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SGT (Join to see)
I am a member of the American Legion. I am with them solely because after I joined the Army I was visiting my hometown bar...er American Legion and my father was a member. So I joined up for a cheaper dinner. Not to say I don't support the American Legion or that I am not happy to be a member. But thats just the truth of it. But I spent much of my early childhood hanging out at the American Legion and the VFW so I have seen the good and the bad and the ugly in both places. I will likely join up with the VFW next time I am in my home town.
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I belong to the VFW, its worth it because of the bond with past Veterans and belonging to a bigger cause promoting espirt de corps within the country. Its no better honor to volunteer and perform functions within VFW, such as bingo, meetings and parades. Duty Honor Country. Retired but still Serving.
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