Posted on Apr 8, 2015
Veterans: Have you joined the American Legion or VFW? Why or why not?
142K
795
478
91
91
0
As I wrote this, responses to that question were arriving every minute from the "Vietnam Veterans Only" group on Facebook. It seems my question hit a nerve. Take a look at a random sampling of the responses in the image...
Can you imagine my surprise?
I was fortunate that, when I completed my tour of duty in Vietnam, I was assigned to a post in Hawaii where there was little hostility between the military and civilian communities. Thus, I was spared the abuses that many Vietnam Veterans experienced on their return to CONUS (the Continental United States). I am appalled to learn that my comrades could not find sanctuary even among other veterans. It seems “The Greatest Generation” wasn't as great as I once believed.
On Veterans Day and Memorial Day over the years, as we passed Veterans soliciting donations in exchange for a “Buddy Poppy”, my wife would ask me, “Why don't you join?” I merely shrugged and replied, “Those organizations are for 'real' soldiers. They don't want any REMFs hanging around.”
REMFs are Rear Echelon Mother F*****s, the ones who served “in the rear with the gear”. To be more precise, they were the commanders who sent troops in harm’s way, often disastrously, without exposing themselves to danger. So no, I wasn't one of those and, in truth, there weren't many “rear areas” in Vietnam. Base camps, such as the one to which I was assigned, were located all over the countryside and every perimeter was a front line. Also, in addition to administrative duties, I was a platoon leader for the base camp security force inasmuch as I was a trained infantry officer. Thus, my real reason for not joining, I suppose, was that I never felt the need.
Things changed as news broke about the scandals within the Veterans Administration. As we learned of Veterans dying while languishing on secret waiting lists and other systemic failures, I decided that I had to do something. We were taught as Soldiers to take care of one another on the battlefield. How could we do any less in these circumstances?
I joined both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and attended a couple meetings for both. The VFW post in my community seemed better organized, and I began focusing my attentions there; however, I intend on devoting more time to the American Legion once I'm settled into the VFW.
We visit patients at the Veterans Hospital in Long Beach and the Navy Hospital near Camp Pendleton 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. Like all other VFW posts, we contribute to our national organization and the homes they maintain for widows and orphans of Veterans who have fought in foreign wars.
I'm sure the activities vary from one post to another, but there hasn't been any drinking or smoking at mine (yet).
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.
Can you imagine my surprise?
I was fortunate that, when I completed my tour of duty in Vietnam, I was assigned to a post in Hawaii where there was little hostility between the military and civilian communities. Thus, I was spared the abuses that many Vietnam Veterans experienced on their return to CONUS (the Continental United States). I am appalled to learn that my comrades could not find sanctuary even among other veterans. It seems “The Greatest Generation” wasn't as great as I once believed.
On Veterans Day and Memorial Day over the years, as we passed Veterans soliciting donations in exchange for a “Buddy Poppy”, my wife would ask me, “Why don't you join?” I merely shrugged and replied, “Those organizations are for 'real' soldiers. They don't want any REMFs hanging around.”
REMFs are Rear Echelon Mother F*****s, the ones who served “in the rear with the gear”. To be more precise, they were the commanders who sent troops in harm’s way, often disastrously, without exposing themselves to danger. So no, I wasn't one of those and, in truth, there weren't many “rear areas” in Vietnam. Base camps, such as the one to which I was assigned, were located all over the countryside and every perimeter was a front line. Also, in addition to administrative duties, I was a platoon leader for the base camp security force inasmuch as I was a trained infantry officer. Thus, my real reason for not joining, I suppose, was that I never felt the need.
Things changed as news broke about the scandals within the Veterans Administration. As we learned of Veterans dying while languishing on secret waiting lists and other systemic failures, I decided that I had to do something. We were taught as Soldiers to take care of one another on the battlefield. How could we do any less in these circumstances?
I joined both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and attended a couple meetings for both. The VFW post in my community seemed better organized, and I began focusing my attentions there; however, I intend on devoting more time to the American Legion once I'm settled into the VFW.
We visit patients at the Veterans Hospital in Long Beach and the Navy Hospital near Camp Pendleton 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. Like all other VFW posts, we contribute to our national organization and the homes they maintain for widows and orphans of Veterans who have fought in foreign wars.
I'm sure the activities vary from one post to another, but there hasn't been any drinking or smoking at mine (yet).
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
Camaraderie
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Command Post
Millennials
The American Legion Camaraderie Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Command Post Millennials
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 202
28
28
0
Reading these responses I think that I might need to seek out my VFW or AL and check it out. Up until reading this I have always felt that I didn't belong. The thougts i justified this feeling was telling myself because I am a girl they won't accept me since most are from the older generation that still views women in the military as weird, or that I am a girl that was a mechanic, or that I only spent 6 years in and choose to get out for my daughter as I was a single parent that I somehow wouldn't meet their standards of a true veteran. There are probably more but these seem to be the recurring ones.
After reading I think this would solve an endless discussion between my husband and I on how can we help our fellow vets. I think may also give us peace of mind to be around people that still share the same pride and honor around it have no one to share it with.
Thank you!
After reading I think this would solve an endless discussion between my husband and I on how can we help our fellow vets. I think may also give us peace of mind to be around people that still share the same pride and honor around it have no one to share it with.
Thank you!
(28)
(0)
PO2 Matthew Ward
CPT Jack Durish Sir, yes you did. I am Gold Legacy Life Member of the VFW in the Department of Oklahoma.
(0)
(0)
PO2 Matthew Ward
PO3 (Join to see) Sister, don't let those guys stop you from joining, if that Post will not accept simply because you are a female then try to make contact with the District and State Commanders, this last thing the VFW National or Department is a "civil" discrimination law suit.
(0)
(0)
PO2 Matthew Ward
PO3 Dawn Austin There some Operations during that time frame, just depends on where you were at during that time.
(0)
(0)
PO2 Matthew Ward
Capt Seid Waddell Sir, you should since I joined the VFW there have been National CinC's who are Vietnam Vets.
(0)
(0)
28
28
0
I have to both, but on a personal note, I don't personally care if you are a POG, or not, a self described REMF (Currently "Fobbit") or Toc ranger and what have you. We all put the uniform, we are swore an oath, we are told what to do and sent.
I have seen good posts out there and my take that every post be it VFW of AL, are very different, even though they belong to a national charter. We have all sorts of veterans, in my personal experience, have had my frictions with all sorts of veterans, which if they say something I don't agree, they will definitely hear my opinion, as well as the reason. No one can compare wars, the circumstances, the enemy, all have different details, but it could have been the same hell for some.
I firmly believe that if you have served for years, and or have been deployed to a war zone, is that there is a real disconnect with most civilians, with aggravating circumstances if you return home to a very liberal city, say San Francisco, or Boston, New York City, is different on that sense, but the underlying sentiment of the self professed "experts". They are a dime a dozen and if you look in my other posts, I carry crude ugly videos and pictures of what our enemies done to civilians, as an ace of spade to show if needed went the "want to see proof"
These 2 organizations are a lot more helpful in finding like minded individuals that you can be having fun with, not only because you can speak you mind explicitly, they will join you with their stories. It is finding peace and quiet, surrounded by fellow soldiers.
I have seen good posts out there and my take that every post be it VFW of AL, are very different, even though they belong to a national charter. We have all sorts of veterans, in my personal experience, have had my frictions with all sorts of veterans, which if they say something I don't agree, they will definitely hear my opinion, as well as the reason. No one can compare wars, the circumstances, the enemy, all have different details, but it could have been the same hell for some.
I firmly believe that if you have served for years, and or have been deployed to a war zone, is that there is a real disconnect with most civilians, with aggravating circumstances if you return home to a very liberal city, say San Francisco, or Boston, New York City, is different on that sense, but the underlying sentiment of the self professed "experts". They are a dime a dozen and if you look in my other posts, I carry crude ugly videos and pictures of what our enemies done to civilians, as an ace of spade to show if needed went the "want to see proof"
These 2 organizations are a lot more helpful in finding like minded individuals that you can be having fun with, not only because you can speak you mind explicitly, they will join you with their stories. It is finding peace and quiet, surrounded by fellow soldiers.
(28)
(0)
CW2 (Join to see)
Excellent observations; you hit the nail on the head--if you meet the organization's membership criteria then you belong as a member regardless of the duties you were assigned to perform in the military. There is no duty position on a TDA or MTOE document titled as "Unnecessary Unit Member", we all have an assigned duty to perform which enables our unit to succeed in its mission.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
The word "Fobbit" is so annoying. I get it, combat arms guys like to run their mouths. I run my mouth back. Thick skin people.
(3)
(0)
PFC Jonathon Luken
Also just because you were a fobbit doesnt mean you didnt do guard duty or get mortars dropped near you.
(3)
(0)
25
25
0
I am a life member of the VFW, and on a year to year basis with the American Legion as well as the DAV. I do what I can but feel that there is more to be done by all of these groups. We have the few drunks and smokers in some of these organizations, but they are few. God bless the Veterans from Korea, Vietnam, And the current conflicts, you all deserve more than you get. Thanks for your service.
(25)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google