Posted on Mar 3, 2016
Why Are the Younger Veterans Avoiding the Veteran Service Organizations?
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I went to the VFW with my father in law this past weekend, and I have to agree with what this article is saying. The current draw of the VSOs is not targeted to my or younger generations. When I went, I saw things like bingo, raffles, and a single pool table in a room that smelled of stale smoke. I think VSOs can do great things, but they need to update and target the younger generations as well as the older veterans. I know I am one person, but maybe I can help drive change that will increase participation in at least my local organization.
Why Are the Younger Veterans Avoiding the Veteran Service Organizations?
Posted from observer.com
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The American Legion
Millennials
Posted 9 y ago
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I am a life member of the VFW and my last post was really good they had a lot of younger guys running it but for the most I have seen it is a drinking club and with all the smoking will I am allergic to cigarettes and so is my wife so we do not go. An on the drinking part well I don't like being around drunks and they do not know when to cut them off
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SGT Mary G.
Don't hear of that often! So am I allergic to cigarette smoke, even the lingering smell of it on clothing. So there are a lot of activities and people I have always avoided as much as possible. When no smoking inside was finally implemented outside the military, it was near to impossible to go to classes without having to walk through students gathered outside the entrance to a building, smoking. It required a few deep breath and charge on through action!
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Maybe it has something to do with a missing generation during the Cold War? They aren't combat veterans, and didn't serve during a time of combat so don't qualify to be members when that is required for membership. That would be after Viet-Nam before Kuwait (Iraq I) August 91. Although, sometimes serving during Granada is considered to have been serving during a time of combat. I served with only one person who had participated in Granada.
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