Posted on Apr 8, 2015
Veterans: Have you joined the American Legion or VFW? Why or why not?
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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
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I never joined the American Legion, and was told that I could not join the VFW because I was only a Vietnam-Era Veteran, since I had never served in country. I immediately joined the Disabled American Veterans and paid for a Life Membership. I was medically discharged in 1988, and I have never been to a meeting.
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I've been to a few VFW and AL events, and simply put, their lack of interest in me promoted a lack of interest in them.
When I needed their help at the VA, the AL rep past me off to the VFW rep who treated me like I was trying to scam the VA, just because I wanted to resubmit a claim, lost by the VA. I found it very disheartening that the person who was there to help me, spent the whole time discouraging me, even though I had all my documentation right there, at the ready.
When I needed their help at the VA, the AL rep past me off to the VFW rep who treated me like I was trying to scam the VA, just because I wanted to resubmit a claim, lost by the VA. I found it very disheartening that the person who was there to help me, spent the whole time discouraging me, even though I had all my documentation right there, at the ready.
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I joined both also as a 26.5 yr vet with tours of Korea and Afghanistan. I was told by the commander that women do not belong in their VFW and I would never be elected to an office. I worked like mad at that post and when elections came I ran but received nothing. After trying for another year I saw the light and gave up. It is the only post close to me so I now just am a social member and let the boys have their little boys club. I am the only woman member of this post as they ran the second woman member off also!!
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I joined both when I first retired. Went to a couple of meetings and a picnic. Didn't form any bonds and ended up drifting away.
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I recently joined the American Legion. I'm a Vietnam Era veteran who doesn't have a lot of money, so I have to make decisions on what is the most important to spend my money on and the cost of the VFW (auxiliary) and American Legion wasn't the most important. I got an offer from the home office of the American Legion that I could afford, so I did join the Legion for a year. If the price goes up again next year, I won't be a member anymore. No, I did not join a post as the closest post to me because it's not one I am interested in because of some of the members.
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I am a DS/DS vet. When my unit returned from the sandbox, everyone but me, got a membership form in the mail from from the VFW and the AL. I remember seeing all the applications in their hands. Kind of a kick in the balls that everyone else had them but me. Many years later, I did get applications from both. That sting of being overlooked back then is still with me.
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Current life member of American Legion and 82nd Airborne Association. Been to numerous facilities across the states with great experiences and some just disorganized. Best experienced had was the southeast Veterans facilities where we attend meetings and afterwards have a drink and smoked outside with a bonfire going on type of thing. Since living out west haven't been the same with different mentality and all and zero connection where this one tends to easily forget about who's at the facility and everything else. Just don't hold memory of just anyone and especially now these days.
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When I joined the VFW in 1970. The WW2 guys kept buying chips for me. I couldn't ask for a better place to join. It's closed. they all died. I have fond memories.
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