Why aren't more soldiers and veterans joining the VFW and American Legion?

I have heard all the comments, it is just a place for old people to drink and smoke. They don't get me. They are not current.

These may all seem like good reasons not to join, but the truth is that these organizations are the reason veterans have their benefits today to begin with. The VFW and the American Legion are not only a social place, but unlike all these Johnny Come Lately Non-For-Profit organizations popping up all over the place, the VFW and the American Legion are the only two organizations that not only have national legislative groups, but also legislative groups in all 50 states and around the world. That means that they are the only organizations outside of the Service Officers for your state or County that can fight for your benefits.

But these organizations are not so out of date as many might think. The problem is not that the VFW and American Legion don't have access to current technology, but that most of the older members don't know how to use it, so if younger members don't join, than the organizations might die off, and while it may not seem like a big deal now, it will mean a lot down the road. To give you an example of the kind of work the VFW and AL does, anyone who follows congress knows that this last year they passed a day care giving bill for 70% and above rated veterans, that bill started with the VFW in NY, and was passed up to the congress through our legislative group. We fought both on the state and national side to see that pass.

But the VFW and AL are more than that, in the VFW we have the National Home for Children, which houses Widows, Orphans and struggling families of deployed soldiers, we have a car program where we give out cars for veterans, active duty and their families, we build houses for veterans, active duty and their families in need, we give grants and assistance to veterans, active duty and their families. We help with funeral costs for those that can't afford it. We do scholarships for students. Many service their community through food banks, emergency shelter, voting banks, affordable rental places. During Memorial Day we go out and place flags in cemeteries that Active Duty Soldiers don't have access to in order to remember those that paid the ultimate price. We march in parades and perform ceremonies in towns and villages all across the country where active duty units are not located to remind people of the sacrifice and service of our service members of the past, present and future.

Before you turn your back on your local VFW or AL, get to know them, spend time with them, and if you think they can do better, than join and help them do that. In my area, I joined, got them involved with the Arts, got them to upgrade the building and become more active in the community, because of this we have been able to increase membership, help more veterans, and service more of the community. Like anything else these organizations are only as strong as the members, and believe me if they die, there will be no one to fight locally, state wide or nation wide as they do for your benefits.

If you are like me and all about helping veterans, there is no better place than these two organizations, because with a national organization on your side you can effect great change.