Why are fewer young Veterans joining Veteran organizations (VFW, American Legion) post military service?

I'm a member of VFW, but I've never set foot inside of a post. It might be time to rectify that.

I am a Life Member of VFW Post 7686 Alamogordo NM. I have served as the Post Surgeon as well as the State Communications Officer. I am proud of my affiliation with the VFW. I have personally known and worked with Past VFW C&C Tommy Tradewell who is a fantastic resource and a wealth of knowledge. With that said I too have experienced less than warm receptions at several posts around the country. When I first moved to South Carolina for instance i decided that I was going to transfer my membership to one of the posts here in the Columbia Area so that I could stay involved, I wanted to make a difference. The post I joined sadly was the Poster Child of the Old Veteran Organization Stereo Type. They were barely open, they could barely get enough people to show up to the meetings to have a meeting (including the officers). They were completely stuck in the past and no amount of prodding, talking, kicking or bitching would get the powers that be at that post to do much of anything. For God sake they are closed on Memorial day and Veterans day.Out of the 20 or so people that you could find sitting at the bar maybe one or two would get up and introduce themselves to someone they hadn't met. If a young person came in most would turn away and huddle together so they could pretend they didn't exist.

I bring this up because this is one of the big things that is broke with these organizations.

In contrast at My Post 7686 which I transferred my membership back to after my experiences here.

You walk in and half the bar at least says hi, the Canteen Manager comes around from her perch at the end of the bar with a smile and a hug (Miss you Miss Judy), Checks your ID and sets you down at the bar. once you are seated half a dozen old codgers scoot over and shake your hand, introduce themselves and offer to buy you a drink. After 1700 the Air Force rolls in from Holloman AFB and the party starts old vets and young vets alike milling around, listening to the Juke Box which Plays everything From Hank, Willie and Wailin to Eminem, Disturbed,and Lynkin Park. By 1900 there is a band or Karaoke setting up and folks are getting on the dance floor.

The meetings are generally Standing Room only cause the old guys get there first and either take the chairs or come in riding their own. ALL have equal voice no matter where you served, or what branch you come from. We are all Comrades.

I am not saying that 7686 is perfect I am not saying that we don't have tiffs and arguments but push comes to shove we are a family and all are welcome. This is what these organizations should be. For the older generation of vets to behave the way they did at the Post in SC is pitiful and that is the very reason that they are on their way to closing their doors for good.

We have a Choice to make as Veterans do we want to allow these great organizations to crumble and die? Do we want to lose the resource, the advocacy and the proud tradition? If not then we need to do something all of us together Old Vets and New. Old Vets you need us, sadly ya'll are dying out at an alarming rate, it is time to pass the torch while you can still provide Mentoring and guidance. Quit resisting the change that needs to happen, add some new music to the JukeBox, get a FaceBook Page (find a high speed you vet to run it and keep it up to date... give him/her a job make'em feel included) Plan Family nights (Wii Bowling is always a hit) you have to give the Young Vets with Families a way something to bring them in, Have Dinners, adopt your local National Guard or Reserve Units, Be there when they leave, be there when they come home and every minute in between.Young Vets, Get involved! Be respectful and soak up every bit of knowledge and wisdom you can squeeze out of those crusty old guys. Bring your Ideas, don't be sacred they may be old and cranky but 9.9 out of 10 have hearts of gold and more knowledge and experience in their bald gray heads then you will every have.


Bottom Line Folks We got to work together in our present to preserve our future.

They are not joining the VFW or DAV as the kids these days are being given everything free. They have no idea or respect for the fight that previous vet have done to bring these good benefits to all vets. They will be sorry when the older vets begin to pass on and no one is around to continue the fight.

Most VFW's and legions are big on cantinas and smoking. Dark and not very family friendly. The VSO's are going to have to adapt if they are going to survive. Family centric communities centers are the answer if they wish to continue. After school or even create their own charter school in the post. With the life experience present in our veterans a desire to be above the best and a won't tolerate political correctness attitude, we could become a force for good all over the country. We swore an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, our battles haven't stopped, they enemy lives amongst us and its creed is progressivism.

Some more mature women vets saw no reason to join either - at least in my era.

I will be joining the VFW, right now it is a money alignment issue.

Its a shame if current Veterans are not joining and participating in these organizations. I joined the VFW and became a lifetime member after my first deployment to OIF 2003. I stay as active as I can, and enjoy very much talking to those who served before me. I volunteer my time at the Veterans Retirement homes as well seeking to gain wisdom from my forefathers, less we never forget their sacrifices. A legacy we need to reenforce with the current generation of service members.

Not so long ago, I tried to join the vfw in my hometown. They acted as though I was a spouse trying to wear my husband's rank despite it being my name clearly on my documentation. "I'm sure you are proud of your husband ma'am but that doesn't make you a vet."
Considering I was home on con leave after finally making it home after being wounded in Afghanistan this did not go over well. Left such a bad taste in my mouth I have no plan to associate with the group further.

I joined an American Legion and was very disappointed. The only thing these guys wanted to do was drink. Before, During and after the meetings and most events were centered around drinking. I also continued to see the "good ole boy" system in place. There were a few that were in the know and the rest of us didn't have a clue what was going on and they could not remember my name no matter how many times I told them. I was very disappointed in the organization. Now that is only one; I am sure there are some good ones out there.

I can speak of three examples that I know of:

1. In certain areas - Reading, Massachusetts for example- the Am Leg and VFW have merged, because so many members who had been in from WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam are passing away - that by merging they managed to save the organizations.

2. When I received my VFW card from the Emerson Hovey Post (Portsmouth, NH) in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War - when I came back on leave from the PGW to Portsmouth, and I showed up to say Thanks - I was turned away at the door.

3. And as alot of RP members have seen/and given the info - too many Am Leg and VFW's are seen only as Bars. And we - current vets -aren't willing to spend our days drinking. We have alot more bridges to cross over - i.e. finding new careers, seeing the world as tourists, getting degrees, etc....