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Site Owner/Operator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Today @ 6:31 PM
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Nietzsche (4/15/2008)
Rigger82 (4/15/2008)
Back when I got into the VFW right after exiting service it sucked. The post I attended had what seemed to be a policy that 'if you're not grey and retired, shut up'.Since then, after the late 90s started seeing so many of the WWII/Korea troops falling off they started really worrying about thier numbers so the attitude has changed (AND I should say that each post is different) but it really left a bad taste in my mouth on the VFW and havent found one locally. American Legion is ok, Ive hung around the AL guys and its all good there, its the VFW without the FW. The DAV is one that I am a life member of... dont attend the meetings but I support and keep tabs on whats going on, but if you're not disabled, that one isnt for you anyway. For my time and money (anyone see this coming?) I focus my time and energy with the 82nd Association because I still find the high speed low drag attitude is just more fun to work with. Unfortunately, there's probably some universal truth to that statement. I served a year tour as the post Quartermaster (i.e. accountant...essentially) and strongly disagreed with some of our expenditures. For example, the Commander mailed out postcards every month reminding members of our meetings (because the third Thursday of every month is apparently a difficult concept to grasp). I pointed out that the $900+ we spend in postage could be better and more relevantly spent. He basically said STFU. I sort of liken the initial VFW experience to being the cherry; nobody really gives a damn about your opinion until you've served your time. I take it with a grain of salt. After all, most of them are legs! I do think that everyone has to put in some time before being able to really flex the new idea muscles but you should have been able to bring that up and be respectfully addressed...
 
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82nd_Raider
Group: Community Supporter
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| I'm just glad the I joined the 82nd Assoc. (thanks to Mark's gentle prodding). It only took me 43 years to make the move. The problem is that my "local" chapter is 57 miles from my home. In Long Island traffic, that is a tuff 57 miles. I am thinking about the VFW, but am not ready to commit.
All the way, sir!!! 
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Site Owner/Operator
Group: Administrators
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Ted (4/15/2008)
I'm just glad the I joined the 82nd Assoc. (thanks to Mark's gentle prodding). It only took me 43 years to make the move. The problem is that my "local" chapter is 57 miles from my home. In Long Island traffic, that is a tuff 57 miles. I am thinking about the VFW, but am not ready to commit. You can belong to both and you can even do every other meeting if the distance is an issue. Ask them to try to provide the minutes of the meeting in the newsletter or via email so you can keep informed. There is no rule that you have to make every meeting. You can definately be a good member if you stay informed and you try to get to key meetings and events.
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Regular Joe
 
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 6/4/2008 3:44 PM
Posts: 363,
Visits: 1,705
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| Each is good. Each represents us at the national level and each is a powerful lobby. All have banded together on many issues affecting veterans benefits. Legion has specific dates for membership, VFW has no dates but requires a campaign or service medal to qualify or CIB /CMB. That's the difference. Both are chartered by Congress. All are correct in their statements that each post is different. Some are very active in the community, some are watering holes for them what has a taste for less expensive drinks. You may have the opportunity to make changes when your time comes. Join both now. You can't go wrong and you are helping all of us just by your membership. I've held membership in both for going on 38 years and have held offices and committee chairs from member to national level. Like life: there's some real goof guys and some flaming assholes and posers. You'll find that out, but don't let a few jerks give you the wrong impression about the organizations as a whole and what they do for us.
 Ein bier, bitte.
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