“Does VFW had any legal power, or is it just a social and support organization?”
Our local American Legion has worked closely with the elected county sheriff to identify gestapo cops.
For example, a state cop thought it was great fun to harass AL members. The next day the sheriff and his associates met with the commander of the state police post. The cop in question was removed from his duties and left the state a few weeks later.
There is no legal connection between veteran groups and the sheriff, but the two have societal connections to enforce the customs and conventions of local mores.
The connections are strong because many sheriff deputies are members of the legion. In turn, many veterans in the AL are members of the sheriff’s auxiliary team.
This relationship is why it’s important to elect a constitutional sheriff who will protect the local community from assorted a-holes.
“The connections are strong because many sheriff deputies are members of the legion.”
That’s really good!