Posted on Aug 15, 2014
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Our WWII Veteran ranks are very thin, and we are losing many Korean War Veterans now. Vietnam Veterans are in their upper 60s or 70s already. My point is, our stories and our history is shared across the generations in lodges and halls across the country, but fewer Veterans are joining these organizations post military. Who will tell their stories when they are all gone....who will tell our stories? Curious to others opinions on this subject! Thanks in advance! AATW!
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 238
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I was in a VFW for a few years and never felt connected. I was even alienated by some of the Vietnam Vets. I tried again years later and attended a meeting but there was no private area. I had my son with me who was 12 and he was forced to be it in a tiny office for the meeting. I felt uncomfortable there as everyone was drinking after. If there was a 'dry' VFW, I might have tried again. The world is changing but the Vfws are not changing with it.
I am a Desert Storm veteran and even find now that us Desert Stormers are not on the sam par as OIF/OEF veterans. I joined Team RWB and run with a group weekly
I am a Desert Storm veteran and even find now that us Desert Stormers are not on the sam par as OIF/OEF veterans. I joined Team RWB and run with a group weekly
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In 1972 when I returned from Vietnam, I took 3 vet buddies to the VFW in Omaha, NE and we joined. No one spoke to us after induction & we felt the same way you folks are feeling! Know what? We went and recruited 5 younger members each and they found 2 or 3 each and within a very short period, the Vietnam era vets out numbered and became the Post leadership. We did then and will always respect those that came before us.
Now, retired and at 67 a veteran of the far and middle east, I encourage you all to promote your vets organization by being interactive and show some leadership. Step up! I did and have been an active American Legion and VFW member for 42 years.
Now, retired and at 67 a veteran of the far and middle east, I encourage you all to promote your vets organization by being interactive and show some leadership. Step up! I did and have been an active American Legion and VFW member for 42 years.
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LCDR Bart Denny
Dan, I applaud what you did, I really do, both in Vietnam and in the years that followed. Here's a few things you might consider. First, in the Vietnam era, there was a draft and many guys served one tour and got out. While the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan lasted longer than even Vietnam, guys did repeated tours and the American footprint was smaller. What am I getting at? Well, I suspect there are far fewer OIF and OEF veterans than Vietnam veterans. In too many places in America, OIF and OEF were not as "real" as Vietnam was--they were far less affected. How many Americans don't even know anyone who went to Iraq or Afghanistan? Too many. I'm not sure the same could be said for Vietnam. What's more, I would take exception to the idea that younger veterans don't respect those who came before them. I guess I'm a little put off by the idea that people should have to put up with the same crap you didn't like. I'm probably reading you completely wrong, and if so, I apologize up front. It just always bugged me in 22 years in the Navy, that we'd tell younger guys, basically, I had to suck sh** through a straw (as if that were a badge of honor), so you can, too!
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CW4 Dan Cady
Bart, I meant that younger vets taking charge does not show disrespect for us older guys! When we RVN vets started to run our club back then we made sure NOT to disrespect any vet is what I was saying.
Issues are different and the service organizations can only change to meet the needs of the younger vet if the younger vet gets involved. Kind of a catch 22 thing! I can not imagine having 2 or 3 or 6 deployments to any combat theater and the toll it takes on a service member.
I have been so fortunate to be involved with servicemen and women from 2 or maybe even three generations! Still don't know why I survived and others around me did not but I do know that I love them all, those from then, those from now and those gone before me.!
Issues are different and the service organizations can only change to meet the needs of the younger vet if the younger vet gets involved. Kind of a catch 22 thing! I can not imagine having 2 or 3 or 6 deployments to any combat theater and the toll it takes on a service member.
I have been so fortunate to be involved with servicemen and women from 2 or maybe even three generations! Still don't know why I survived and others around me did not but I do know that I love them all, those from then, those from now and those gone before me.!
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LCDR Bart Denny
I get where you're coming from now. Thanks! I know when I was wrapping up my service, I thought it was pretty neat to be around some people who weren't born when I joined. Good group, these young vets. And you're right, this is a tough nut to crack, and a definite "catch 22."
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I am a recently separated combat veteran and have had the opportunity to visit a few different places here locally in Colorado. I've been to the VFW and the American Legion. When I went, I just felt so out of place. Although I was around fellow combat veterans, I just didn't feel the connection. I couldn't really discuss some of the questions I had regarding the Post 9-11 GI bill or any of the issues we new veterans are facing. I got the typical "Back in my day story..." and as a respectful American citizen I listened to them, of course, but didn't feel that I could relate. It wasn't until I joined Team Rubicon and Team Red White and Blue that I really felt that I was in my league. These are veterans just like me, around my age, and we all have the common goal of maintaining fitness and providing active service back to the community. I think our new veterans feel the same way. We want to still feel like we are in the service even though were not on orders anymore. I respect our older veterans associated with the VFW, American Legion, etc. I just don't think they are up to speed with our new generation of veterans.
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TSgt Scott Hurley
SrA Holly H You need to ask who the service officer is, since they are the ones that know about the VA benefits including the GI bill. The posts did a disservice by not telling you who they are.
You are right about the the older generation of vets. As they get older the new vets need to take over. Since both the VFW and the American Legion are the loudest voices for the vets on capital hill. Joining some of the newer organizations like IAVA, do not know if it has national charter which is authorized by congress, do not have the same voice. So they rely on the VFW and Legion to be the voice. If younger vets do not join them, then that voice dies and the vets are not heard. Even from the new organizations.
You are right about the the older generation of vets. As they get older the new vets need to take over. Since both the VFW and the American Legion are the loudest voices for the vets on capital hill. Joining some of the newer organizations like IAVA, do not know if it has national charter which is authorized by congress, do not have the same voice. So they rely on the VFW and Legion to be the voice. If younger vets do not join them, then that voice dies and the vets are not heard. Even from the new organizations.
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There was a stigma attached to being a 'Nam vet back in 1970. I was screamed at by a young woman working at a kiosk in the San Diego airport when I was purchasing smokes and candy bars...I thought she was insane and wondered how she ever got that job working with the public. A few hours later, I was spat upon at SF International airport just as I entered the concourse...I think it was a fellow traveler, I can't be sure...at the time, I thought it was just someone being really, really crude spitting on the carpet...it never occurred to me that it was my Marine Corps uniform that ticked him off...it wasn't till I arrived at my parent's house that I discovered spittle on my back.
I went back to work at the large aerospace company that I'd left two years earlier and there was a LOT of anti-war sentiment in the daily conversations. There was also talk about draft dodgers being allowed amnesty. I ventured an opinion that they should be lined up and machine-gunned. Not exactly politically correct even for those days. I got some weird looks. In order NOT to attract unwanted criticism of my service to my country I decided that I wouldn't talk about it. No one wanted to hear my stories, anyway.
I didn't associate with other servicemen and women because they weren't talking about it either. I didn't even know which ones had served, but I had a pretty good idea who didn't.
I believe there was a general concensus amongst 'Nam vets to put the war and our experiences out of sight and out of mind. I worked hard to keep myself occupied so I wouldn't have to dwell on the past. PTSD made that difficult to do. I thought I must be going crazy because of the rage that erupted (over minor stuff) and the nightmares I experienced.
I was alone and isolated...not a good combination. My self-esteem was at rock bottom. Those first ten years back were NOT good ones.
So...to make a long story longer, why would I attend a VFW or any other organization at that time?
I do attend the annual reunions of my old unit, and find solace and healing there amongst my brothers who understand our predicament.
I went back to work at the large aerospace company that I'd left two years earlier and there was a LOT of anti-war sentiment in the daily conversations. There was also talk about draft dodgers being allowed amnesty. I ventured an opinion that they should be lined up and machine-gunned. Not exactly politically correct even for those days. I got some weird looks. In order NOT to attract unwanted criticism of my service to my country I decided that I wouldn't talk about it. No one wanted to hear my stories, anyway.
I didn't associate with other servicemen and women because they weren't talking about it either. I didn't even know which ones had served, but I had a pretty good idea who didn't.
I believe there was a general concensus amongst 'Nam vets to put the war and our experiences out of sight and out of mind. I worked hard to keep myself occupied so I wouldn't have to dwell on the past. PTSD made that difficult to do. I thought I must be going crazy because of the rage that erupted (over minor stuff) and the nightmares I experienced.
I was alone and isolated...not a good combination. My self-esteem was at rock bottom. Those first ten years back were NOT good ones.
So...to make a long story longer, why would I attend a VFW or any other organization at that time?
I do attend the annual reunions of my old unit, and find solace and healing there amongst my brothers who understand our predicament.
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MOST "clubs" haven't kept up with the times - furniture is extremely outdated...management leave much to be desired...Lighting is horrible...sound systems are substandard (if they have any) ...in the MAJORITY of those "clubs" in which I have visited...Many (not all) extremely set in their ways and unwilling to make the leap into the 21st Century. Don't forget the poorly lit parking lots...BUT...on a Positive note... the liquor prices are still the same as they were back in the 70's.
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"Fewer" should be used instead of "less" with nouns for countable objects and concepts. Thus, “I should drink less coffee,” but “I should eat fewer doughnuts.”
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TSgt (Join to see)
Your comma after "coffee" is misplaced as well as your period after "doughnuts". Next time you should probably post an opinion or set of facts relevant to the original post instead of an English lesson.
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GySgt William Hardy
You reminded me of the story of the class reunion. The class had problems locating former teachers but finally found Mrs. Smith the Senior English teacher. This one girl comes in and see Mrs. Smith and goes straight over to her and says, "Why Hello Mrs. Smith. What's going on?" Mrs. Smith turned gave her that squint eye look and said, "Young lady, did I not teach you never to end a sentence with a preposition?!" "Want to try it again/" The young girl looks at Mrs. Smith and says, "Hello, Mrs. Smith. What's going on Bitch!"
There is a time and place for everything and this is not an English classroom.
There is a time and place for everything and this is not an English classroom.
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1SG John O. One part is there is no need because veterans of especially the Asian campaigns felt bad upon coming back. Then there is the idea that there are bad feelings towards the services in the last few years.
It seems there are very few warriors for our cause these days and a lot of this work to help each other out is been done by veterans with very little help from Washington where it matters.
It truly is appearance over substance and the effects of that will be felt for a long time...
It seems there are very few warriors for our cause these days and a lot of this work to help each other out is been done by veterans with very little help from Washington where it matters.
It truly is appearance over substance and the effects of that will be felt for a long time...
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SSgt Phillip Ruddock
another reason is that a lot of the "old timers" don't really care for or accept the new type of veterans. changing to a new style is not something they want.
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SSgt David Patrick
I think it has alot more to do with the image of the organizations. The majority of the members people know or see are much older, and they tend to have an idea of these places as smokey old bars for vets. It's like the Elks Lodge, or the Lions. That's something their grandparents did, but it doesn't seem modern enough to be current or relavent to them.
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Sgt William Ganem
I am a member of both the VFW and AL but I am not an active member for a few reasons. Everytime I go to a meeting their is a lot of pressure to become an officer for the post, and the meetings do not seem to accomplish much. Also I do not see the difference between the VFW and AL other than some dispute that the two organizations had in the early 1900s, but to me they are the same type of service organization with a different names. I am proud of my service and the service of other veterans of all eras. I enjoy being around other veterans and working to help others but I am not a big fan of the piss cutters and mini medals and the like. I would rather have a polo shirt as an identifying piece of clothing. I also tend to be more active in other service organizations that offer higher levels of physical activity and sense of accomplishment such as, the Semper Fi Fund / Americas Fund, Push America, Travis Manion Foundation and more.
In the end the image of VFWs and ALs are of smokey bars and a lot of politics that just are not that appealing. I am passionate about veterans' issues but there seems to be too much infighting in these older service organizations. With all that being said, I am grateful for all the work the men and women who came before me accomplished to better the lives of veterans like myself; however, I feel that the landscape of veteran advocacy and policy making has changed drastically and that these two organizations have not changed enough to meet the demands. Obviously, we live in an unstable world and the need for service organizations is high as our men and women are sent into harms way every day and we need to be ready to welcome them home and offer them the opportunity to successfully transition and millions of vets have utilized these two organizations for that purpose. It is our job to continue to strive to make things better each and every day and the VFW and AL have done so in the past and we will see what the future holds.
In the end the image of VFWs and ALs are of smokey bars and a lot of politics that just are not that appealing. I am passionate about veterans' issues but there seems to be too much infighting in these older service organizations. With all that being said, I am grateful for all the work the men and women who came before me accomplished to better the lives of veterans like myself; however, I feel that the landscape of veteran advocacy and policy making has changed drastically and that these two organizations have not changed enough to meet the demands. Obviously, we live in an unstable world and the need for service organizations is high as our men and women are sent into harms way every day and we need to be ready to welcome them home and offer them the opportunity to successfully transition and millions of vets have utilized these two organizations for that purpose. It is our job to continue to strive to make things better each and every day and the VFW and AL have done so in the past and we will see what the future holds.
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VFW and Legion halls are nothing but barrooms. I don't plan on spending my day drinking, so they have little to offer me. VVA and PVA seem to be focused on actually helping vets navigate the VA, so that's who I support.
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SFC Dennis Aalid
My American Legion Post refuses to even apply for a liquor License! Our income is derived from operating a Bingo Hall. So not all posts are that way. Please do not judge an organization on one experience! If help with VA is what you want, I suggest you check out the DAV (Disabled American Vets) Each group has a certified person to deal directly with the VA! They are all vets too and really care about getting you help, especially applying for disability!. Check out DAV.org to get the address of the Chapter closest to you. Good Luck!
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SGT Loren Hammons
There are some in the VFW and the American Legion who feel the exact same way, they now the VFW for the drinking and the bar and bingo. The work of the VFW largely goes un- noticed, There have been individuals in these organizations that have contributed greatly to the benefits we have today. God bless my dad for every day fighting for your rights and try to protect your benefits. Today's younger veterans see the negative and want to do more. This generation of veterans will be heard and heard loudly. We have American Pride!!!!!
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