What Veterans Organizations do you belong to and why?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:23:21 -0400

Currently a lifetime member of the VFW, also a current member of AUSA, Army Historical Foundation, the Ordnance Corps Association, and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. I'm most active with SAMC as they do a lot for our organization and community, to shed light on the positive contributions of service members. I believe the other organizations have done a tremendous amount of work for veterans both in the means of counseling, schooling, financial assistance, VA assistance, as well as doing their part on Capitol Hill. That's why I have chooses to donate to these organizations. Just curious as to what other Veteran Organizations you may be apart of and why? Or why you choose not to support these organizations?

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Jul 7 at 2016 10:24 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:24:51 -0400

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member ,
Thanks for the share. However, I do not belong to any organizations.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 11:11 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:11:46 -0400

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member I have supported The DAV for many years with contributions, but I am not a member. I am a Lifetime Member at large of the VFW, but have never been to a Post. I joined the VFW because a VFW VSO helped me with my VA claim.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jul 8 at 2016 12:14 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 00:14:34 -0400

Boston College Veterans Network. & VA Medical Health Care.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 8 at 2016 1:08 AM

MSG Pat Colby — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 01:08:14 -0400

While stationed at Ft McCoy, WI I was a member of the Melrose Legion. HANDS DOWN the best Vet group I was ever in. Active Community involvement was their key to success. I still have my hat.

While stationed in Hawaii I was in the VFW. TOTAL politics. I had 55 Non-continuous days of duty in Korea when I got promoted and I cancelled my next trip there (because I considered it a waste of TDY funds). When I told the VFW Post Commander of my dilemma of needing 60 total days to be a legit member, his response was to make me a Trustee of the Post. I attended one Trustee meeting and attempted to quit. They kept me on the paper for the next 4 months. The Commander tried his damnedest to get me to be a Lifetime member in the Post. I wouldn't budge. Based on my pending PCS, I could not in good conscience be a Member in good standing. I still have the hat that I never wear as a reminder of ethics.

Once I retired, I tried out the local Legion and once again, politics prevailed. The old timers got their "clicks" and were reluctant to allow fresh blood to assume roles. Due to poor management, they financially lost their Post HQ's and sold the building. It's still a bar/restaurant. The Vet regulars drifted away.. I have NO hat from them.

I was a member of the Eagles and the Elks at various duty stations. BOTH great organizations and Vet friendly but in this part of the Country, they are nothing more than bars with an exempt tax status. Their community involvement is pretty much a hologram.

Sad situation really. I miss the types of Organizations that make a difference...

Did you know that the Elks 100% funded the FIRST VA hospital?

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jul 8 at 2016 2:43 AM

SPC Kirk Gilles — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 02:43:39 -0400

I got a USAA credit card. Used to maintain my BRO membership. Most are for overseas and combat service. I kept Kansas safe for a year or two. No club for that.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 8 at 2016 6:55 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 06:55:44 -0400

I don't belong to any Veterans organizations. Never have. I have been out for over 30 years. I always felt that I was raised and then trained to be able to be self sufficient. I have no issue with anyone being a member of any of them. I am not a big organization joiner.

I do support (financially) The Marine Corps Association. Technically that makes me a member of it but I donate to them only because they do good work for active duty and reservist Marines in the form of education and recognition etc.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Jul 8 at 2016 8:26 AM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:26:03 -0400

Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA). Life Member since 1976. I originally joined for the insurance discounts. I still stay active responding the legislative call-to-actions for issues affecting veterans, retirees, and active duty members.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW). Life Member since 1992. A long standing tradition in my family is our fathers gifting a VFW Life Membership to their sons after their first combat deployment. My grandfather did this for my father after WWII, my dad did the same for me after Desert Storm and I did the same for my son when he returned from Iraq in 2010. I am the current Commander at the Maybee VFW Post 4361 in Maybee MI.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Life Member since 1992. The DAV asked me to join when I retired from the USAF. Although I am not disabled, I joined to help support the organization because of their reputation for assisting those who needed help navigating the cumbersome VA system. I stay active responding the legislative call-to-actions for issues affecting veterans, retirees, and active duty members.

American Legion. Member since 1993. I joined when I moved to Michigan for the cheap beer. I stayed because the Post had good people who became good friends. I served many years as a Post Trustee as a way to thank the Post for allowing my chapter of the U.S. Military Vets MC to use the post facilities to meet before we bought our current clubhouse.

National Association of Uniformed Services (NAUS). Life Member. I joined because NAUS is very effective as a voice in Washington D.C. for veteran, retiree, and active duty issues affecting the military.

U.S. Military Vets MC (a 501c(19) Veterans organization). Life Member (earned...not bought). I joined because the thing I missed most about my time in the military is the camaraderie, cohesiveness, and the brotherhood found in small military units.

Remember, especially in politics, there is strength in numbers. If you don't belong to some sort of veteran's advocacy group, you should reconsider. Your membership dues support these efforts to keep the Government from screwing us. Your voice, via call-to-actions, is heard and amplified through these organizations. Your phone calls, emails, letters, etc do help much more than you might think they do.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 8 at 2016 8:59 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:59:11 -0400

I Belong to the VFW Because I can, I served in Desert Storm and Desert Strike In Theatre. I Belong to the American Legion because I can, I served during time of War. I used to belong to the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association until I let my Membership Lapse and I used to belong to the Old Crows Association (Electronic Warfare Specialist) until I let my Membership Lapse.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Jul 8 at 2016 10:24 AM

MAJ Alvin B. — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 10:24:47 -0400

I am a Life Member of many Veteran Service Organizations (VSO). Why? Because to me it seemd the right thing to do.
I joined these organizations in a show of support and solidarity, -- an attempt to is some small way, pay it forward. [To date I have not used any of the services available form these organizations. However, that will likely change at some point in the future.]
For those keeping track (if memory serves), I am a life member (or paid for life member) of the: VFW, DAV, AUSA, AFA, AFSA, ROA, and MOAA.
I am also a Life Member of the follwoing military affiliated organizations: Military Intelligence Corps Association (MICA), Regimental Signal Corps Association (RSCA), Association of Old Crows, Military Order of the Carabao, Military Order of World Wars (MOWW), Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA), 361st Infantry Association (WWII) [Life Member and Past President], and Honorary Life Member of the Special Forces Association (SFA).

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Jul 8 at 2016 10:25 AM

MAJ Alvin B. — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 10:25:35 -0400

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 8 at 2016 1:22 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 13:22:00 -0400

Don't,I felt out of place and received badly upon returning from Vietnam in the late 60s,probably my fault was carrying a lot of baggage at the time and had a lot of problems readjusting ,since then had no interest in local Veterans organizations,but I do belong to the Blue Badge,Ivy Dragoons,Army Historical all done on line feels better this way for me anyway.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jul 8 at 2016 2:10 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 14:10:52 -0400

VFW - closing in on my final lifetime member dues. The local American Legion post / leadership is a disgrace. It's no different than what I grew up with as a youngin' in Missouri. At the nearest posts there's more auxiliary members then veterans. What's messed up is that they extend that auxiliary membership to the cons doing community service there. NOT THAT EVERY post is like that, but that's where I am at. VFW also because I have two campaign medals. We're in a more elite gun club! Also, a member of AUS.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2016 5:45 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 17:45:24 -0400

Life Member and past post (multiple posts) commander of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America and the Disabled American Veterans' association. I joined each of them at a time when they filled a particular niche.

Response by SGT Warren Crutcher made Dec 18 at 2019 11:19 PM

SGT Warren Crutcher — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 23:19:42 -0500

I belong to American Legion which I am really debating on not renewing after several years with them they do not seem to have any active posts. All they do is run a bar to raise money. Also a Member of Wounded Warrior Project. They do absolutely nothing in the Dallas Area so it was kind of a waste. I am also a member of Paralyzed Veterans of America. They are at least trying to get my 90% rating up to 100% so I can get my House and Vehicle mods done that I need.