Posted on Oct 28, 2017
VFW, American Legion Left Behind By Younger Veterans
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Many Post 9/11 veterans feel disenfranchised with traditional organizations where members fit the stereotype of sitting around drinking and telling war stories. For most, they would much rather be engaged in the local community with new organizations such as Team Rubicon and Team Red White and Blue.
In defense of traditional organizations like VFW and Legion, they do provide veteran benefits services that most of the new organizations do not. Benefits assistance is a main staple for the traditional orgs to increase their membership numbers, and many veterans would be left in a world of hurt had their local veteran orgs not helped them get their benefits.
So where do we stand as veterans at this time? How can traditional veteran organizations like Disabled American Veterans (DAV), VFW and American Legion evolve to stay relevant in the lives of this country’s newest group of veterans? Do you feel the same way?
In defense of traditional organizations like VFW and Legion, they do provide veteran benefits services that most of the new organizations do not. Benefits assistance is a main staple for the traditional orgs to increase their membership numbers, and many veterans would be left in a world of hurt had their local veteran orgs not helped them get their benefits.
So where do we stand as veterans at this time? How can traditional veteran organizations like Disabled American Veterans (DAV), VFW and American Legion evolve to stay relevant in the lives of this country’s newest group of veterans? Do you feel the same way?
VFW, American Legion Left Behind By Younger Veterans
Posted from disabledveterans.orgPosted in these groups: 
The American Legion
DAV
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
War on Terror
United War Veterans Council
The American Legion DAV Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) War on Terror United War Veterans Council
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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This is a great article and I think it brings to light many issues between Veterans and Veteran organizations. I, for instance, don't belong to any Veteran organization. As a "younger" Veteran, I have always perceived veteran's organizations as places where the "older breed" of veterans hang out. Despite our country being in armed conflict for almost 2 decades, I never felt we belonged amongst the ranks of those who lived through the World Wars, Vietnam, Korea, etc.
Another issue is unless you actively research these organizations, very little is known about them or how they operate. What is their purpose? What are their goals? I know I see a few outside the local Walmart every so often collecting donations. But otherwise they remain a mystery to me.
Per the article, it said that newer veterans prefer organizations that are engaged in the local community. What does that even mean? While I have heard of organizations like the VFW and American Legion growing up, I have never heard of Team Rubicon or Team Red White and Blue. What is their contribution to the community that makes them so appealing? Do they plant trees? Read books to children? Coach little league?
I come to RallyPoint to converse with other Veterans and fellow Servicemembers. This is the only thing I would expect from other Veteran organizations. But if they were trying to "bridge the gap" between the older generation and the younger generation of veterans, I would probably recommend military themed activities as a connection. Maybe a Range Day, a trip to military memorials or museums, etc.
I honestly wouldn't expect a veterans organization to have much community involvement since the military is a community unto itself. But, if they did, I would say things like assisting with Toys for Tots charity drives, maybe speak to prospective recruits about our military experiences, etc.
Honestly, if veterans organizations want to continue growing, I would suggest some form of Veteran outreach program. After all, how can they expect to carry their organization to the next generation if there are veterans like myself who remain clueless about the organizations.
Another issue is unless you actively research these organizations, very little is known about them or how they operate. What is their purpose? What are their goals? I know I see a few outside the local Walmart every so often collecting donations. But otherwise they remain a mystery to me.
Per the article, it said that newer veterans prefer organizations that are engaged in the local community. What does that even mean? While I have heard of organizations like the VFW and American Legion growing up, I have never heard of Team Rubicon or Team Red White and Blue. What is their contribution to the community that makes them so appealing? Do they plant trees? Read books to children? Coach little league?
I come to RallyPoint to converse with other Veterans and fellow Servicemembers. This is the only thing I would expect from other Veteran organizations. But if they were trying to "bridge the gap" between the older generation and the younger generation of veterans, I would probably recommend military themed activities as a connection. Maybe a Range Day, a trip to military memorials or museums, etc.
I honestly wouldn't expect a veterans organization to have much community involvement since the military is a community unto itself. But, if they did, I would say things like assisting with Toys for Tots charity drives, maybe speak to prospective recruits about our military experiences, etc.
Honestly, if veterans organizations want to continue growing, I would suggest some form of Veteran outreach program. After all, how can they expect to carry their organization to the next generation if there are veterans like myself who remain clueless about the organizations.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
As an active member of the American Legion, Post 208, Millis, MA and one who has served 6 terms as post Commander We do have an active Post. Our members include, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War and other current war service. The Post also sponsors a Boy Scout Troop, and We added cub Scouts and Girl Scouts which meet at out post building. Civic Organizations can use our facilities free of charge. We also have a Veteran's coffee which is entirely social every Thursday morning all year which is open to any Veteran of the US Armed Forces, You don't have to be a Legion Member to attend, just a Veteran. We also, for any resident of town that is on active duty with the US Armed Forces pay His membership dues as long as He or She is still on active duty. We also provide Blue star banners free to any family that has a family member on active duty in the US Armed Force or a Gold Star banner if a family Member died during their service.
We are involved on Community activities and both the Police and Fire Departments in Town have adopted us to support the Post and its members. We do have field trips for example a WWII Museum in Natick, MA, a trip to Battleship cove in Fall River, MA where the USS Massachusetts and several other warships are tied up, The New England Air Museum just to name a few. We have had guest speakers such as the lead Pilot on the Soy Ton POW Rescue Mission into North Vietnam, an Army Doctor and Colonel that was forward deployed with Special Forces in Afghanistan and He brought His Brigade Commander with him Most the events are filmed by the local Cable TV station for public exposure. Our Post maintains a Facebook Page We also have visits to the local schools which has been going on for years. The schools are very receptive and have invited us over and over and We have always responded. We have given public speeches about Military service and have never refused any request to do so. We do have a community that very much support its Veterans Recently We also have become a Purple Heart Community and have signs on the main roadway entrances to the Town.
Many of our American Legion Members also belong to the AMVETS post in town and a few to the Town's local chapter of the MOPH, Military Order of the Purple Heart.
We do seek younger Veteran's and need them to take over and they are always welcome. Our bond is our common service not which war or when We served.
We are involved on Community activities and both the Police and Fire Departments in Town have adopted us to support the Post and its members. We do have field trips for example a WWII Museum in Natick, MA, a trip to Battleship cove in Fall River, MA where the USS Massachusetts and several other warships are tied up, The New England Air Museum just to name a few. We have had guest speakers such as the lead Pilot on the Soy Ton POW Rescue Mission into North Vietnam, an Army Doctor and Colonel that was forward deployed with Special Forces in Afghanistan and He brought His Brigade Commander with him Most the events are filmed by the local Cable TV station for public exposure. Our Post maintains a Facebook Page We also have visits to the local schools which has been going on for years. The schools are very receptive and have invited us over and over and We have always responded. We have given public speeches about Military service and have never refused any request to do so. We do have a community that very much support its Veterans Recently We also have become a Purple Heart Community and have signs on the main roadway entrances to the Town.
Many of our American Legion Members also belong to the AMVETS post in town and a few to the Town's local chapter of the MOPH, Military Order of the Purple Heart.
We do seek younger Veteran's and need them to take over and they are always welcome. Our bond is our common service not which war or when We served.
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I’m an American Legion member. But, honestly, any organization that gathers SM’s and Vets in one place has my positive vote.
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I belong to Team RWB and Am Legion and VFW.... I am not in good enough shape to play much with Team RWB, but enjoyed some of their happy hour or dinners. Am Legion is my most active org. DAV did my VA paperwork in the past.
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SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
I am with you on the running. Not sure all the body parts would be in the correct places afterwards. My group also does FB. I do that, so I learned where the met-ups would be. More Am Legion and VFW post will need to go FB and electronic because that is where the members are located.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint - I agree with that and our Legion post does have a Facebook page and contributes posting to other sites as well. We also have a good relationship with the local news media and the local Cable TV station for great coverage. We also have a Veteran's coffee which is entirely social and open to any Veteran of the Armed Forces. For any active duty Member of the US Armed Forces within the town our Post will pay their Membership dues as long as they are on active duty. Add to that Community events and speeches including the schools in town We do get a lot of positive response. The picture here is one of the events with Veteran's on round table discussion with Students at Millis High School to speak of the Military experience. The History Department of the High School sponsors this annual even at the school.
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