What can improve the veteran orgs for the 21st century? I read some might add a day care and cyber cafe!!! plus what are the reasons why you wouldnt join the VFW??? the VFW I am at is dieing out, isnt good when there is only 1 person under 50 there!!!

In the past certain veterans organizations gave the impression of being rigid and resistant to change of any kind. As a consequence many veterans who may otherwise have joined opted not to do so. While the situation has changed for the better the effect of previous impressions is still being felt, as seen in the age of many current members. As this viewpoint is could possibly start a debate, please note that it is observation of the past and not a judgment of the present. Both the Legion and VFC are fine service organizations and are both excellent advocates for veterans services.

Most all fraternal type organizations are having membership issues.
Folks just have too many things going on.
Sad part of our complex society.
The problems from the VN days are long gone and were somewhat inflated in some cases.
I belong to both as well as others, and have the same observations a you.
VN guys got to be big movers in most of these for a whie, but we are beginning to lose steam.
We are mostly in our 60's now.

I would agree that many of the "problems" of the past were more urban legend than reality. On another note, isn't 60 the old 40?...at least that is what my wife and I keep telling ourselves.

They can start by changing their "old man's drinking club" image.

After that they can start focusing on helping veterans and securing their organization's future for those of us currently serving.

Most VFW Posts are centered around their clubroom/bar, not supporting the VFW's many worthwhile missions.

As a life member of the VFW I could go on all day about this topic...

quote:

Originally posted by doswood:
What can improve the veteran orgs for the 21st century? I read some might add a day care and cyber cafe!!! plus what are the reasons why you wouldnt join the VFW??? the VFW I am at is dieing out, isnt good when there is only 1 person under 50 there!!!

Open the membership to the Cold War vets who never actually saw combat. I spent from 74-91 training to go to war with the Russkies, including three years in Germany.

gumbydammit: Your profile dates indicate you are eligible for the American Legion. I'm in and look at my dates. Your also classified like me as a "wartime veteran" because of your service dates. Thats why you can join the American Legion.......if your service dates are correct in your profile.

BTW, it was the wars / interventions of 1982-1984 and the escalated terrorism at the time I believe that puts you in the "wartime veteran" status

I belong to the American Legion. I was referring to the VFW.

dmharvey, yu hit the nail on the head. Well said.

Well, Speaking of the VFW, When I return from Nam in 67 the VFW WOULD NOT let me join. Said nam was not a war, therefore I could not join. I told them to stick it up their ***. Then a few years agao the VFW did something against the vets (I don't recall what it was but they lost a lot of members for it).
They the VFW bug me always to join and they get the same answer from me, Oh..I'm good enough now huh?

I have interacted with a few organizations, not on deep levels, but somewhat. They are normally active with funerals, hospitals, and parades, and of course with the 'old man's drinking club', but that is normally it.

The major issue is that they haven't connected with young people.

I have a couple suggestions. First, they need to unite on a larger level. Individual clubs are fine, but that works against unified effort or unified programs.

Second, they need to connect with deployed units. By adopting a deployed unit (preferably a local unit), they would immediately connect with a new membership base. Connections could be correspondence, assistance during pre- and post-deployment, family support, and mid-tour leave support.

Third, they need to focus on business networking. Everyone leaves the Army eventually, often earlier rather than later these days. Shifting to a career (rather than retirement) focus in the organization would attract younger members.

What does everyone else think (if anyone is even watching this ancient thread)?

dday76
I like alot of your ideas, I am a new member to vfw, hoping to make a difference!!

As an Iraq War Vet and the youngest member of our Post officers at 34 yrs. old, I am proud to serve as the Post's Jr. Vice Commander. I feel honored to be part of a group that has served in foreign conflicts. I also feel it is my duty to continue to serve, in a fashion. If it hadn't been for those before me, I may not have had the opportunities and benefits I do today.

I admit that it can be difficult to bring in veterans of recent conflicts, many of whom have young families. Most Posts don't have a lot of younger members mainly because they have to give up some of their free time, which most don't have a lot of. VFW recruiters should highlight the organization's ability to lobby for veterans benefits when pursuing younger members.

Although this may not have always been true in the past, I believe nowadays the VFW generally cares about veterans. For me, after getting medically discharged from the Army, that was important. Plus, I believe the prestige of belonging to an elite group of overseas veterans also is a powerful lure. But the biggest attraction, at least in my case, is the VFW's activism within the local community.

I am very proud to have served in the military, but I also firmly believe it is my obligation to give back to my community through the VFW. Myself and the members of my Post want our community to realize that the VFW is still alive and strong as ever.

Currently myself and the Sr. Vice Commander are trying to organize a monthly event to help attract younger members. We have live music, food, and the wonderful opportunity to interact with potential members. We try not to take total advantage of the situation and turn it into an aggressive pro-recruiting drive, we want it to be a nice event for the younger crowd to unwind. If they happen to have any questions or want to join our organization, we want it to be of their own accord. During these events we even provide round-robin daycare service.

The Sr. Vice and I firmly believe that it’s important for VFW members to make younger veterans feel welcome in our Post. We try to dispel the stereotype that often drive potential recruits away, that of a smoke filled bar where the old war horses sit around telling war stories and gripe about their aches and pains. Only through interaction can any Post grow and not become stagnant and die out, due to lack of interest.

Stingerwooten
It seem to me that your doing good. But I'm a Vet that did not go to the Iraq war so dose that not make me a Vet or? I feel as if there is a new kind of Vet out there, that is coming to light. I'm a Cold war Vet did 13 years check my profile, and if I come back to the states I still get the some old looks.So what do you have to say about that? don't get me wrong I'm not trying to start a war?

if I may interject........

Cavbunny, if you have the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (like your profile say you do) then you are eligible to join the VFW.......

VFW eligibility chart-Medals authorized for basic eligibility

I didn't go to Iraq either and I am a vet.....

in my view since you have a AFEM, you are a wartime vet.....

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars are so much in the news....thats what makes them so "sexy' right now.....sexy as in they are in the spotlight...and they deserve it.

I't their time.......don't worry, another campaign will come again soon......

quote:

Originally posted by FormerEmbassyMarine:
if I may interject........

Cavbunny, if you have the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (like your profile say you do) then you are eligible to join the VFW.......

VFW eligibility chart-Medals authorized for basic eligibility

I didn't go to Iraq either and I am a vet.....

in my view since you have a AFEM, you are a wartime vet.....

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars are so much in the news....thats what makes them so "sexy' right now.....sexy as in they are in the spotlight...and they deserve it.

I't their time.......don't worry, another campaign will come again soon......

Thanks for the info FormerEmbassyMarine. your probly{?} right, but were I'm living there's on VFW here in Australia and if your not a Vietnam Vet then your not looked on as not being a Vet so. it just leaves a bad taste on my mouth and I tend to stay away the place witch is like the American legion but called the RSL here.and again I'm NOT trying to start a war.Thanks again.

I would like to share the response from the Arizona State Commander regarding a Resolution submitted requesting support for recognition of Cold War casualties.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/Comma...nderLetterToMe02.jpg

Since then, I was able to contact an interested member of the VFW located in Europe!

He recently submitted the Resolution asking support for the majority of Cold War casualties. It was approved and forwarded to the National Convention to be held in August 2007.

If approved at Kansas City, it will support a request for an Executive Order be intiated to recognize the majority of fatalties, and an unknown number of wounded that currently not authorized the Purple Heart according to guidelines. The period 9 May 1945 to 25 April 1962.

After that date all killed and wounded personnel by foreign hostile acts were authorized the medal because of two Executive Orders signed by Presidents Kennedy (11016) and Reagan (12464).

After being contacted by Europe, I submitted the following letter to the Arizona State Commander:

Reference the book, Cold War Clashes: Confronting Communism, 1945-1991 by Richard K. Kolb, Editor, VFW, published in 2004.

Page 161 shows a photograph of Lt. Wilson, and below, KIA: Lt. James Wilson became the first confirmed hostile fatality of the Cold War in Germany when he was shot to death by a Soviet sentry in Berlin on March 3, 1946.

The following page, 162 shows a photograph of Major Nicholson, and below, KIA: Maj. Arthur D. Nicholson Jr. was the last American killed by Soviet hostile action in Europe. He was shot to death by a Soviet sentry in Lugwigslist, Germany on March 24, 1985.

I appreciate the information shared by the VFW, but I feel as a veteran organization, it lacked the completion or follow through regarding recognition of fatalities during the Cold War. If you would care to notice the two officers were assigned to the same area, killed by the same source, the same month, but a different year.

Both served their country to the limit, but the scale of recognition is out of balance. Lt. Wilson was not posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal. Major Nicholson was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit, and the Purple Heart medals.

The book states there were 382 fatalities experienced during the Cold War. Research shows the majority of hostile acts leading to the majority of killed, and an unknown number wounded occurred during the early period, 9 May 1945 to 25 April 1962.

According to guidelines identified below, in order for a member of the military to be eligible to be awarded the Purple Heart during the early period stated, one must have been engaged with an “enemy.” Other than the Korean War, United States was not engaged with an “enemy.”

References: AR 600-45, dated 22 September 1943; 3 May 1944; 27 June 1950; and AR 672-5-1, dated 20 July 1956.

President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 11016, “Authorizing Award Of The Purple Heart”, dated 25 April 1962. It identifies circumstances that authorized award of the Purple Heart without a formal declaration of war.

President Ronald W. Reagan followed by signing Executive Order 12464, “Award Of The Purple Heart”, dated February 1984. A number of circumstances were retroactive from March 28, 1973, including while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force, and as a result of an international terrorist attack.

Because of the two Executive Orders, members of the Armed Forces were recognized after 25 April 1962 for their ultimate sacrifice, and wounds. While others met their fate or wounded were not during the early part of the Cold War because there was no official “enemy” other than during the Korean War.

I have been corresponding with a gentleman in Europe regarding the subject. He was kind enough to submit a Resolution to the Department of Europe VFW. It will be introduced next month for consideration during the VFW National Convention.

As a citizen of Arizona, I am asking the Arizona VFW for its position regarding the unbalanced scale of recognition for military personnel that gave lives or spilled blood through their contribution to prevent Communism? (END)

I have yet to receive a response. What does it take to get veterans involved?

Robert E. Johnson

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Robersabel,

They would not let blacks in. iN OUR CITY THEY AR STILL SEGREGATED. TO HECK WITH THEM!

I have a bit of the same problem, I served from 82-91, (Germany 84-87), I attempted to join both the legion and the VFW and at both was told I could become part of the womens auxillary but not an A member cuz I was female. See abit of prejudice here??