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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Cpl Daniel Sellers,
I'm a life member of the VFW. I joined relatively early in my career and the VFW was more active in recruiting me and more visible in the community I was living in at the time.
I'm a life member of the VFW. I joined relatively early in my career and the VFW was more active in recruiting me and more visible in the community I was living in at the time.
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I see the VFW and American Legion from organizational and an individual perspective.
Organizationally:
- Both organizations do a lot of good for their members and the nation.
- Both need to do a better job of changing with the times. Reasons to join the organizations in 1970 are different from reasons to join now. They have to provide value for a member beyond "it is your patriotic duty".
Individually:
- I am a member of both organizations but do not have the time as an active duty officer to directly participate in chapter activities.
- I am looking for networking, community, and ability to be part of an organization that helps individuals and the nation.
Organizationally:
- Both organizations do a lot of good for their members and the nation.
- Both need to do a better job of changing with the times. Reasons to join the organizations in 1970 are different from reasons to join now. They have to provide value for a member beyond "it is your patriotic duty".
Individually:
- I am a member of both organizations but do not have the time as an active duty officer to directly participate in chapter activities.
- I am looking for networking, community, and ability to be part of an organization that helps individuals and the nation.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM There are a lot of old school vets in my chapter, and it sort of makes me less involved, but their time is their time and I don't want to take that away. When it is my time, I will step up...
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SGT Thomas Lucken
Each Post, is what it makes of it's own! My VFW Post, we variety of members from all ages involved! Commander is 62, I as Senior Vice am 52, our Quartermaster is 31 and a female vet , our Judge Advocate is 26, just listing some of the officers in the Post.
When we do military rites, I have seen our ages range from 25 to 96 with the color guard! The Commander and I believe in all members being treated equal and enforce it, but most of our members know that and except it quite well.
There is reason we are all eligible for the VFW, and we don't knock anyone for it!
When we do military rites, I have seen our ages range from 25 to 96 with the color guard! The Commander and I believe in all members being treated equal and enforce it, but most of our members know that and except it quite well.
There is reason we are all eligible for the VFW, and we don't knock anyone for it!
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I am a member of both...both do a great job...I find the VFW has more benefits for transitional Vets.
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SFC Richard Haugh
Keith - When ready share your story Brother! On what a well ran VFW can and will do for its Veterans! Guys like US never give up of give in! Its AWESOME to see you on Rally Point... time to get the others on it!
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Lifetime member of the VFW. Currently with Anderson-Shea post 2046 Manchester, CT
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My view of the big-time vet organizations began with my being escorted from the building when I tried to visit a VFW post in Missouri in 1971. They didn't want any drug-crazed baby-killers. Like myself, apparently.
In the early 80's my opinion took a further dip when I was on the Vietnam Veterans of America Michigan council right after VVA got its Congressional Charter. For a couple of years every attempt we made to join with the other chartered vets' organizations was stomped on by the American Legion, VFW and a few other relative biggies. Most of our support came from DAV, MOPH, PVA and other organizations with lots of rubber on the road.
At our Founding National Convention we voted to adopt the motto "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another" and we have, for the most part, pulled it off.
By now the "old guys" in the big vet organizations are Vietnam vets -- todo solucionado. We, especially at VVA, have done our best to sponsor and mentor vet organizations for returnees from other conflicts.
So anyhow, I finally joined the American Legion last year. Haven't decided whether to renew.
(VVA Life Member #8)
In the early 80's my opinion took a further dip when I was on the Vietnam Veterans of America Michigan council right after VVA got its Congressional Charter. For a couple of years every attempt we made to join with the other chartered vets' organizations was stomped on by the American Legion, VFW and a few other relative biggies. Most of our support came from DAV, MOPH, PVA and other organizations with lots of rubber on the road.
At our Founding National Convention we voted to adopt the motto "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another" and we have, for the most part, pulled it off.
By now the "old guys" in the big vet organizations are Vietnam vets -- todo solucionado. We, especially at VVA, have done our best to sponsor and mentor vet organizations for returnees from other conflicts.
So anyhow, I finally joined the American Legion last year. Haven't decided whether to renew.
(VVA Life Member #8)
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SGM (Join to see)
It's a shame the way you were treated, and it's too bad we can't have an umbrella organization that allows reciprocal membership, rather than competing for the limited cash that retirees have.
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SPC Paul Prevost
It always bothers me deeply to hear of one set of Veterans disparaging another. I am glad to hear that you stayed the course. We OIF/OEF Vets owe a huge debt to the Vietnam era vets, you made coming home from our war a lot easier than you had it.
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VFW Post 1136 Wyandotte, MI. along with my husband. We are members because we enjoy the brotherhood of fellow veterans. I love talking to the older veterans from the other wars, so later I can share their stories when they are no longer here. I want to make sure these heroes from War World 2 and Korea are not forgotten.
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I'm a member of the VFW because veterans need a voice to stand up for them when veterans benefits, interests, and concerns are being discussed. I believe veterans voices are stronger and loud when we band together. The VFW gives a platform to come together.
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