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Have you ever thought to join a Veterans' Organization?


KevinBeyer
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Hello, All,

 

While posting information on various Veterans' Organizations both defunct and active, I began to wonder if anyone reading these posts has ever given thought to joining an active organization as a result? I know that there are many members of this board who are veterans. Have you thought to seek out your fellow compatriots and join their organized ranks? There are many benefits to membership, least of all joining together with people who share an experience that isn't shared by a majority of the population.

 

I, myself, am not eligible for membership as I have never served. I also do not descend from anyone who participated in armed conflict in our nation's past. But, what about you, the other members of this community?

 

Looking forward to your response.

 

Kevin

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Manchu Warrior

I get a letter ever other month or so from the American Legion asking me to join and sometimes I think about doing it. Someday I might also join the Sons of Union Veterans but I have just never gotten around to looking into it.

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I've been a Life Member of the American Legion since 2001... and have served as Post Sgt at Arms, as well as now being District Service Officer (helps vets & their families with the VA & DoD etc.).

 

Most GIs of my war era-generation (Vietnam) have not rushed to join up with the Legion. More seem to go toward VFW if they served in-country.

 

A lot of the current membership are WWII and Korea, only one is Desert Storm, and no OIF-OEF yet.

 

Some Posts are dying off, literally - especially without VN vets taking their place in ranks.

 

So, although the guys in my Post are mostly 10-30 years older than me, I enjoy their company and feel it is my duty to be there when they're gone.

 

We handle the annual poppy day (with our Auxiliary ladies), and the Veterans Day parade and some other related activities.

 

Some posts in larger towns or more active ones, do a lot more.

 

Our Post was one of the first organized in America... and we have a long history.

 

I'm trying to keep it alive.

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I've thought about it - have never been approached by any of the local organizations, though.

They may not know how to reach you. Or, anyone you might know who is in one of them, might think you've decided against it already?

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Do you have any idea how the various organizations recruit new members? I was surprised that none of them provided info during my retirement transition and I never see anything in our local paper about membership when they post information in the Sunday Edition of the Vet's section.

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What exactly do these various organizations offer in the way of benefits to vets? What does one gain by joining? A news letter? A lapel pin? A bar to hang out at and trade war stories? Something more substantial?

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Manchu Warrior
What exactly do these various organizations offer in the way of benefits to vets? What does one gain by joining? A news letter? A lapel pin? A bar to hang out at and trade war stories? Something more substantial?

I have not joined the American Legion but when they send me the forms they also send a news letter and according to that they offer all kinds of benefits. If I come across one I will be sure to post the information.

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What exactly do these various organizations offer in the way of benefits to vets? What does one gain by joining? A news letter? A lapel pin? A bar to hang out at and trade war stories? Something more substantial?

 

I think you hit on the major point that has caused so many of the various posts to close. The idea of a "social club" never translated to the Vietnam and later generations. They typically wanted to be able to go out to various places - not just a single club. Yhe demise of the enlisted, NCO and officer clubs in the Services are both a result - and a cause - of the same thing.

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Stinger Gunner USMC

I'm a member of the:

Disabled American Veterans

American Legion

Marine Corps League

 

I've also thought about joining the VFW and/or Sons of Union veterans or Sons of the American Revolution. The dues start adding up though!

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The legion was the force behind the GI Bill of Rights. They still maintain programs for citizenship, scholarships, etc.

 

The membership gets you the magazine. Some think the membership is little more than a magazine subscription. Others are more active, participating in their post or state department. The national conventions are worth seeing.

 

And the library is a great place for information on veterans issues or historical research. It's easy to pick up the phone and call them with a question.

 

 

 

 

What exactly do these various organizations offer in the way of benefits to vets? What does one gain by joining? A news letter? A lapel pin? A bar to hang out at and trade war stories? Something more substantial?
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One factor -- maybe major, maybe minor -- in there being fewer new members for the vets' organizations AND for officer and NCO clubs in the military is the gchanges in DRINKING patterns. In many small towns with little or no by-the-glass liquor service, the VFW/Legion post became the main watering hole. But there are fewer "dry" counties and towns nationwide and even in restricted jurisdictions restaurants now generally are allowed to serve liquor (with food). Moreover, younger generations drink less (quantity/frequency) or would sooner drink at home.

 

In the military, the anti-booze movement shut down the "Happy Hour" extra-cheap drinks, having lunchtime beers (plural) and units gave up hosting/encouraging "boys' nights out" with the influx of females. Also the military cracked down on DUI, on post and off -- zero tolerance. Overt drunkeness became verboten and the many, many alcoholics in the old Army (?Navy, USMC?, USAF?) were no longer carried along until retirement.

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I remembered I received letter from VFW. It said "Thank you for your service to our country.... etc...." And it listed Benefits for joining. But ironic, I never served military and I was 17 years old! I wondered what made them sending me letter.

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Do you have any idea how the various organizations recruit new members? I was surprised that none of them provided info during my retirement transition and I never see anything in our local paper about membership when they post information in the Sunday Edition of the Vet's section.

What we have discovered here, in a town where patriotism was always a fundamental element in the daily lives of nearly all the population, is that the newspaper itself is no longer nearly as receptive to posting that kind of information as they once were... to say nothing of reporting readily available news from the front.

 

It has been a deep disappointment.

 

Best thing is (in my opinion) to make it your business to check out at least VFW, and the Legion if not also you be qualified for DAV - on your own. Each one is a bit different in emphasis.

 

VFW accepts ONLY troops who have served in-country during wars. Legion accepts ONLY troops who have served during war eras in-country or not, during very specifically outlined dates and years.

 

In the old days, and still today in some quarters, the Legion also had an organization for kids who wanted to be involved. And of course, all service groups (I believe) have very lively ladies Auxiliaries in which wives (or husbands I suppose) can become involved... as my wife is.

 

Many service organizations locally associate themselves closely with CAP or ROTC, and/or with the regional Guard and Reserve units.

 

In a sense, these groups exists to preserve the memories of our common histories as military personnel, in order to provide social interaction and political action when needed, in our communities and nationwide if need be.

 

Which is why NO elected official would dare snub an invitation to speak before us... come election time. Many politicians make it their business to have regular contact with us, and are themselves veterans.

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One factor -- maybe major, maybe minor -- in there being fewer new members for the vets' organizations AND for officer and NCO clubs in the military is the gchanges in DRINKING patterns. In many small towns with little or no by-the-glass liquor service, the VFW/Legion post became the main watering hole. But there are fewer "dry" counties and towns nationwide and even in restricted jurisdictions restaurants now generally are allowed to serve liquor (with food). Moreover, younger generations drink less (quantity/frequency) or would sooner drink at home.

 

In the military, the anti-booze movement shut down the "Happy Hour" extra-cheap drinks, having lunchtime beers (plural) and units gave up hosting/encouraging "boys' nights out" with the influx of females. Also the military cracked down on DUI, on post and off -- zero tolerance. Overt drunkeness became verboten and the many, many alcoholics in the old Army (?Navy, USMC?, USAF?) were no longer carried along until retirement.

I have found that to be the case also.

 

Our local VFW is considered the "drinking" group, and the Legion the "dry" group... but that has more to do with maintaining the liqour license than anything else. Needless to say, there are more members of the VFW than the Legion here. :D

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Good info. I guess I've sat on my butt for long enough - I retired almost 5 years ago. Time for me to reach out the the Legion and VFW in my area. Thanks for the incentive...er, kick in the tail. :lol:

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I became a Life member of the VFW earlier this year. I always wanted to be a member of an organization like that since I was a kid, and now that my military career is at it's Zenith, why not? Now to become an active member is another story. It seems that the American Legion is a lot more active in my area than the VFW.....

 

I suppose the fact that I am a tea-totaler makes me a minority in the VFW, hehehehe....

 

-Ski

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I'm a Life member of the Marine Corps League and belong to a Detachment that started in Houston in 1923. We face a continuing problem with recruiting new members. We have an OIF and a couple of Desert Storm veterans but most are now Korean War or Vietnam era vets. The WWII guys are passing on or getting too old to participate. There surely is a different attitude about Vet's organizations today than there was after WWII. I have also belonged to China Post#1, American Legion but let that lapse. Lots of good insight in this thread.

If you're an eligible vet consider joining the Legion or VFW or if you're a Marine find the nearest League Detachment and join and get involved. There are definite benefits that accru from belonging. Help keep these fine outfits alive. They have done much for Vets and for the Country.

OoooRah! Semper Fi.....Bobgee

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I'm a Life member of the Marine Corps League and belong to a Detachment that started in Houston in 1923. We face a continuing problem with recruiting new members. We have an OIF and a couple of Desert Storm veterans but most are now Korean War or Vietnam era vets. The WWII guys are passing on or getting too old to participate. There surely is a different attitude about Vet's organizations today than there was after WWII. I have also belonged to China Post#1, American Legion but let that lapse. Lots of good insight in this thread.

If you're an eligible vet consider joining the Legion or VFW or if you're a Marine find the nearest League Detachment and join and get involved. There are definite benefits that accru from belonging. Help keep these fine outfits alive. They have done much for Vets and for the Country.

OoooRah! Semper Fi.....Bobgee

Semper Fi...

 

I really came to believe it was my DUTY to pick a group to be part of... especially when I discovered so few VN guys in our Post.

 

If we let fail what took our ancestors so long to build, it will be on us to explain why and make up the difference... is how I feel about it. Plus which, I just enjoy being around other GIs... particularly ones who can't bust me when I become insubordinate! There's a lot I just do not have to explain when in their company. :D

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First, I want to thank everyone for their service to our country. I chose a different path and I've always regretted that I didn't join up. I serve the nation in my own way assisting research for the Department of Energy.

 

Second, thank you to everyone who reads this section and to those who responded. The Veterans' Organization section receives the least amount of traffic on the website. So, it is gratifying to know that there are people who are out there looking at what is posted in this little corner of the web.

 

Lastly, for those who are considering joining a Veterans' Organization, please take what has been said by the members here to heart. Even if it is just for the social aspect, these groups have a lot to offer. Like anything else, though, you get out of it, what you put in. Even if you just make a phone call to inquire about services, I am sure the contact will be appreciated.

 

Kevin

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I am a Life member of the DAV, and member American Legion. I think both organizations do a lot to help vets get the benefits they have earned . They also make a strong voice for us in Washington.

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