What would make American Legions and Veteran of Foreign War posts more appealing to join for you?

I am a member of my local American Legion, post 81 in Cleveland, TN. I remember when the Vietnam vets first started going to the Legion they had the same complaint. They didn't feel welcome by the old guys. Some of it, I think, is people come to the Post expecting to be accepted and treated like they were when in Service. The problem is these posts are led by GIs turned into civilians and under civilian rules. They have been having it their way for a long time. Now we all know the civilian world is different and it takes time to adjust. Keep going to the post but even more importantly get involved. There are usually many things you can do at a post. I was made Chaplain almost immediately. I think my seminary degree had something to do with that. My point is there was a need and I filled it. I know we were taught to never volunteer but if you want to feel like a welcomed member volunteering is the way.
One program most people are not aware of is the Honor Guard. These folks go to funerals for veterans and provide the military part of the proceedings, including the 21 gun salute and flag folding ceremony. Our group is constantly busy and it needs volunteers right now.

I think this is the most ironic thing as I talked to a Vietnam vet about the VFW and he said he would never join because he was told he wasn't a real vet because he served in Vietnam and not a real war like WWII or Korea. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

SP5 Renee Reif - Can you please stop quoting Hugo Black? He was an active member of the Ku Klux Klan. This is well documented and FDR tried to play stupid when it was exposed. You sound rather foolish and ignorant when you post hashtags like "stopwhitesupremacy and then repeatedly quote a white supremacist.

OK guys, everybody just calm down. I'm not going to dispute any of the above "non-welcoming" encounters, I am loathe to question a veteran's integrity (though lately....sadly, I've had plenty of reason to), but this is nothing new. I've heard the stories going back decades.....WWII vets were vilified by Vietnam guys for claiming they weren't "real vets", now I'm hearing that Vietnam guys are doing the same to Desert Storm / post-911 vets, etc. Perhaps if I'd been around in the 50's, the WWII vets would have had the same stories about WWI vets snubbing them, I don't know. But as Commander of the local Legion, I can tell you it has NEVER happened by a Vietnam Vet since I've retired and joined. If you think about it, it makes no sense that even if Vietnam guys were treated this way by WWII guys (and they may have been....today's service members have grown up in a totally different environment regarding public support of the military, than the Vietnam guys did), why would they want to inflict that on others, esp when their orgs need members?
Remember, for Vietnam guys, there were no parades, no airport welcoming groups, no orgs like Wounded Warriors Foundation, Children of Fallen Patriots, Folded Flags, etc. IF they were lucky, they didn't get harassed or spit on by the ignorant college clowns protesting them. Many of these reason these orgs (and the support received by Desert Storm vets....the first action after 'Nam) exist is primarily because at the beginning of hostilities 'Nam guys collectively said "never again", and that was the start of the huge support the military has had since. So, knowing this, why would they do the same to us when it comes to joining VFW or Legion?
Now, I know we have to account for human behavior, and of course I'm sure there's some of this going on by some very short-sighted and clueless Vietnam guys, but it's as ignorant a behavior as those protesting college students actions and I would call them on it when it happens.
Most military members are not "shrinking violets", so if you encounter such resistance, ask them how they were treated upon returning, and after they tell you, then point blank ask them why they're doing the same to you. It will shut them up, I promise.
As to the original posters comments about more community involvement being a possible solution, I can tell you that it is a catch-22 situation. With many members in their 60-70-80-90s, we can't do more without young blood, their bodies just aren't capable anymore. So we do a Memorial Day parade/ceremony for combat fallen, and the local school does a program, and the school does a Veterans Day program honoring us. That's about as much as we can do with the dozen or so active members (out of about 60 on the rolls). When confronted about participation, many members will say "I pay my dues!", as if that's enough to keep public support / involvement, support local vets in need, conduct some fund-raising, etc. One last thing....orgs like the Legion, VFW, etc are the MAIN lobbying orgs to Congress, which keeps vet issues in front of your Reps / Senators and protects funding for them. Please, find one, stand up for your service, and join. Many hands make light work, even if you only do one thing in a year, it'll matter.

SGT Chris Padgett I can tell you the ones in the Norfolk Virginia area that I visited a few years ago were NOT welcoming to a 20 year Air Force retiree.

Outstanding, local focus is what it takes to be effective in recruitment.

The American Legion I belong to at first was full of a bunch of Drama Queens. Joined the VFW a few years later. Now we do have some drama queens, but much better and we do a lot for our veterans and local community. Much more rewarding. I really think it depends on the post.

SGT Robert Haynes - SIDE NOTE to Sgt Haynes, it is interesting (and sad) warriors like you who served during what could have been the worst war are not as respected. Not only did soldiers and sailors like you 1) have the courage to serve during this time, 2) you PREVENTED this conflict, and 3) *if* such a conflict would arise, what individual fighting would be involved in such a conflict? I salute you and your brothers and sisters!

The VA considers them all a real war! Even serving in the rear while in RVN qualified as Vietnam veteran. So the men who offer negative comments should be asked their MOS!

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen When and where did these people serve? Korea was never a declared war, and they don’t think Vietnam qualifies either, are they WWII veterans? Those are approximately 100 years old now.

SGT Ken Bell I have no idea. This was back in 1976 time period, so I'd suppose WWII and Korea.

Curiously, I heard the same thing from WWII/Korea vets when I got out in '73. They were not interested in Vietnam veterans. I don't think it was a prejudice against "our war", I think it is a generational thing. People tend to hang with people of a similar age and similar experiences.