VFW/American Legion: Should drinking be permitted in these places? It is a place ease transition and Alcohol won't do that for a vet.

The VFW as we know it today would not exist without alcohol.

The traditional VFW and Legion posts lean more towards the older generation veterans like myself that are in a much different place, than the newer generation that is just now transitioning from the military and trying to forge a new path for themselves. Getting into the VA, going back to school, or trying to find a job. Sitting at a post drinking beer is just not what they are needing at this stage in their lives.

If a Post wants to serve alcohol let them. If a Post finds that they are lacking membership and that community would prefer to have a dry Post and by being dry would increase membership, then that Post can make the decision. Although these VSO's have a National chapter they are ran independently by the elected officers of that Post. The National headquarters for these VSO's should never have the power to make Post wide decisions. Something that may work in San Diego, CA wont work for a Post in Portland, ME.