Posted on Oct 28, 2017
Would you join The American Legion or the VFW? Why or Why Not?
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I joined both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and attended a couple meetings for both. The American Legion post in my community seemed better organized, and I began focusing my attentions there.
We visit patients at the Veterans Hospital in DC and Northern Virginia to cater events for them, sponsor student competitions and award prizes for scholarship, sanction Boy Scout units, and provide honor guards for Veterans' burials as well as community events. One of our most valuable services is helping Veterans apply for VA benefits and shepherding them through the red tape jungle.
To be honest, there are a few WWII and Korean Veterans still hanging on, but Vietnam Veterans seem to predominate, at least among those who attend meetings. I'm especially happy to see younger veterans fresh from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq joining. Hopefully, we can help them network for education and job opportunities as they transition to civilian life.
I certainly won't be displaying the behavior Vietnam Veterans experienced when they attempted to join, and I won't permit it to go unchallenged if others try.
We visit patients at the Veterans Hospital in DC and Northern Virginia to cater events for them, sponsor student competitions and award prizes for scholarship, sanction Boy Scout units, and provide honor guards for Veterans' burials as well as community events. One of our most valuable services is helping Veterans apply for VA benefits and shepherding them through the red tape jungle.
To be honest, there are a few WWII and Korean Veterans still hanging on, but Vietnam Veterans seem to predominate, at least among those who attend meetings. I'm especially happy to see younger veterans fresh from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq joining. Hopefully, we can help them network for education and job opportunities as they transition to civilian life.
I certainly won't be displaying the behavior Vietnam Veterans experienced when they attempted to join, and I won't permit it to go unchallenged if others try.
Posted in these groups: 
The American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 45
Cpl Jason Feimster For many years, I donated money to the VFW, but was not a member. I became a lifetime member about five years ago because they helped me with my VA claim. I am a member at large, and have never been to a post.
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I would join both as they support the veterans is so many ways including the families of soldiers, sailors and airmen who paid the ultimate sacrifice. They are advocates for veterans benefits as well.
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SP5 Renee Reif
SFC Jim Ruether - another thing that I'd like to point out is that the flag is an object that represents something, represents freedoms that not everyone truly benefits from. Same as the pledge-these things are SYMBOLS that represent freedoms-and it is THOSE FREEDOMS that we should be protecting, NOT symbols. In addition, I refuse to say the pledge and kneel for that and the flag. When all of us benefit from what those SYMBOLS represent, then I may have reason to stand for them.
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SFC Jim Ruether
SP5 Renee Reif - My two Vietnam Uncles both belong to the VFW where I don't or cant.. My two uncles stood up for me and said if this club wouldnt serve their nephew who was a veteran too but not from a foriegn war then they would grab about 18 or so club members and we'd find a bar where we could all drink together. The VFW changed its mind in a hurry and althought I am not a VFW member I enjoy having beers with my uncles and a dozen guys I work with on road construction at my VFW......
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SP5 Renee Reif
SFC Jim Ruether - that's great that your uncles stood up for you. Problem is, they shouldn't have to.
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SFC Jim Ruether
SP5 Renee Reif - The thing is that it only takes one negative voice or one negative act and a group will follow along. I just tried to help this VFW that was slowly heading for bankruptcy. By doing good deeds my name came up and I was recognized for doing good things for the clug, by promoting the club with fund raisers, Vet meals on wheels, art work showing their own units in combat in the Solomon Islands, Korea, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Desert Storm, ets. I cooked and served many meals to be eaten at the club and the next thing you know is the club is showing a profit and its getting new carpeting donated from a local furniture store. I worked hard to help make the club function and grow. I wasn't the Lone Ranger eith.. By setting a good example more vets participated and we were a team, a squad, a platoon, a company. We honored local individuals in our clubs with flags flown over their FOBs now proudly displayed in the club. Vets would come into the club and when asked to join you could hear the vets say why not instead of why should I.
I see that you went to OCS or Officers Candidate School. Did you get your Bars? It takes a lot of hard work and studying to graduate. I stayed in the enlisted ranks myself and just like my uncles, cousins, and my dad, we or I was the backbone of the ARMY. Thanks for your service to our country. It will have been as much a stepping stone for those Americans who follow in your bootsteps as it will by those who lead from your example.
I see that you went to OCS or Officers Candidate School. Did you get your Bars? It takes a lot of hard work and studying to graduate. I stayed in the enlisted ranks myself and just like my uncles, cousins, and my dad, we or I was the backbone of the ARMY. Thanks for your service to our country. It will have been as much a stepping stone for those Americans who follow in your bootsteps as it will by those who lead from your example.
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I was a VFW member, and I can only speak for the Posts around me. Biggest Bunch of unprofessional's I've ever had the misfortune to meet. I tried, gave it time, joined the house committee, became adj. all they really liked to do was fight among one another, disrespect one another drink and gamble. yup illegal gambling was normal SOP. they even argued about who did more for the veterans. So around my area Let them Die out, as all they do is give Veterans a back eye
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SFC Jim Ruether
We had the same thing going on here until a few of the more staunch uncompromising veterans passed away and more cooperative younger vets joined the club. Now its fun to go there for the food specials, parties and programs.
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SFC (Join to see)
Just an update, Since then i moved back north to NH. Looking for someone to ride with i joined the Legion Riders. What a Great grp. total 180 from that grp in Fl. I've gone to a couple of regular legion meetings and yup politics is still their but NOTHING like that post in Winterhaven Fl. In fact on a couple of rides we have stopped in a Legion/VFW and members there have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome. Im so glad that Post 4289 in WinterHaven Fl is not the norm.........
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