VET Organizations - Your Thoughts

[redsfan2]

I really don't have anything personal against any member of any of the organizations mentioned. A couple of guys from the Legion showed up at my brothers funeral and presented us with a flag and thanked us for his service. I thought that was really good of them. Like me he had never been in there that I know of .... but they still took time to come to his service.
Same for my oldest brother who passed away late last year. Two guys from the Air Force ... same thing .... and it meant a lot to his kids & me too.
My problem with the VFW was a misunderstanding. A guy I knew was a member and asked if I'd be interested. I said I'd think about it ... and then was told by another guy that as a Viet Nam vet I couldn't be a full member because Viet Nam was not a declared war. Still later .... much later I got a typical mail order form saying that the VFW would like me to join and when would be a good time to contact me. To paraphrase ... I said that since the VFW didn't consider me a "real vet" , I didn't see why they would be interested in me or vice versa .. and that a good time to talk to me would be when they considered me to be a "real vet". And I sent it back to them. About a month later a guy came to the door with the mailer. Asked if that was me .. and if I wrote that. I said yeah ... and he asked if I wanted to talk about it. I said is there somthing on there you don't understand ?? and when he said no ... I said then I guess theres really not a lot for us to talk aobut is there .... haven't heard form them since. and I guess thats OK with both of us.
Sorry this ran so long. No rant .... no anger personal or otherwise ... just no interest .... real or feigned either.

 

[deralte]

I belong to both the VFW and The American Legion and have been with them for years. They have many honorable causes which I support. I have never visited any of their posts because of the drinking. Its not that I dislike everyone that drinks, I just don't like drunks and they have plenty of them. I guess some of them are trying to forget their experiences. Its a lot like the NCO clubs in the service - thats where all the drunks hang out.

 

[lonejacklarry]

My problem with the VFW was a misunderstanding. A guy I knew was a member and asked if I'd be interested. I said I'd think about it ... and then was told by another guy that as a Viet Nam vet I couldn't be a full member because Viet Nam was not a declared war.

There was a lot of this going on in the late 60's and early 70's and was an embarrassment. Some of the WW2 and Korea vets did not think that the Vietnam experience rose to the level of their experiences-real or imagined. None of this was "official" but still occurred nonetheless. Yes, if you were the holder of the Vietnam Service Medal you could become a member.

I joined the VFW in 1969 and left in 1971 for the above reason and others. Many years later, I rejoined as things were a little different. While I cannot make up for the morons you encountered, let me apologize for your experience. Welcome back!

 

[PDL]

Don't have anything bad to say about the people in any of those orgs now. When I got out none of the vet groups wanted anything to do with Vietnam vets. Now that the older folks are dieing out they 'seem' to need us. Ain't gonna happen for me. Most of the ones I see around here are just looking for the .05 beers at the bar. But I'm probably just being angry. The guys are looking for folks that had similar trials and tribulations, so maybe I should give them the benifit of the doubt. No flames necessary, I know I'm stereotyping and it doesn't apply to all.
The one that I would/do have anything to do with is DAV, they are working for good things.
Go on the net, you'll find unitpages for just about any unit in the military where you can interact with people who share your experience.

 

[ect1222t]

I don't belong to any organizations. Not interested, don't want to talk or to "reminisce" about 'Nam, and just like the vets I know, just want to be left alone. -Ed.

 

[jlynch34]

Was in USAF back in 50's and have never joined any organizations - VFW American Leigon, etc. Was enlisted and never wounded...

Tom I'm like you, except put my time in the 60&70's, and never have considered belonging to any Vet organizations.

 

[walnutred]

Guys, you have to shop around. When my brother came back from Vietnam the VFW didn't want him for the reasons mentioned above. A couple decades latter he was living in another town and was approached by by a couple 'Nam vets about joining the local VFW. He was skeptical but looked into it. He joined and has been an active member for years now, mainly for the non-drinking social events. He's bed ridden now and does not get out but his friends from the VFW still stop by for their weekly poker game.

When I was discharged and my wife an I bought a house I decided I needed to get involved in the community. I looked at the VFW and found an organization that was basically being run as a private bar, with more Associate member than full members.

I looked at the local American Legion and found an organization that was very active in the community. A lot of fund raising stuff but that is because we give 4 scholarships a year, support a little league team, bought most of the computers for the schools computer training program etc. Our bar is only open after meetings on scheduled meeting nights.

Where I live the Legion is the one that is active in community events, where my brother lives it's the VFW. You have to shop around.

 

[imjin138]

I have belonged to both at one time or another, and belong to niether now. I am a life member in the 2nd Infantry Division association, and a yearly member of the Society of the 3rd infantry Division and a yearly member of the 7th Infantry Regiment Association.

I have been to some of the reunions and have had a good time, I don't drink much but I did enjoy speaking to the other members and their wives.

 

[br25004x4]

I'm considering joing the American Legion. At least they provide the honor guards here and always attend memorial day services here. They also provide all veterans with a free lunch on memorial day. I think also there are those members who join for the bar.

 

[CH47gunner]

I belong to two organizations.

Life member of the Disabled American Veterans and I also belong to the Viet Nam Helicopter Crewmembers Association.

I wouldn't join any of the aforementioned organizations for the same reasons as stated by other posters.

Bruce

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Korea was a "police action", not a declared war. I have heard the same things about the VFW and Vietnam vets elsewhere. In my case I went into the Reserves and later the National Guard after Active Duty, those were my veteran's organizations.