My father served during peace time, but he was very active in his local veterans association up to his death. He had a lot of good ideas that brought many new members in. But, when he was looking for ways to bring in younger members, the older veterans were not interested in doing so. So, I think there are ways to appeal to younger veterans, but maybe in many cases the older veterans are reluctant to do so.
“The VFW represents tradition, sacrifice and patriotism,” said Ted Talbot, 80, a U.S. Army veteran who joined Post 4898 in 1948 after returning home from World War II duty in Honshu, Japan. “I think the reason posts are closing, the reason there are fewer members, is because there is less of all three of those qualities in society today than there used to be.
When I returned from Viet Nam we were not exactly welcomed with open arms at the VFW. I was actually mocked that I really didn’t serve in a “real war” as the stalwarts of the post claimed. Needless to say there has been a huge disconnect between me and the VFW. I still smart from that remark
I wanted to join.
I was told that my Cold War / Gulf War naval service did not qualify.