Younger veterans do t want to go to a place where it reeks of cigarette smoke and there’s nothing but a bar and pool table.
A few VFWs in my area have started adding coffee bars, wifi and multiple big screens.
And banning the nasty habit of smoking.
VFW and American Legion Posts had their purpose after both World Wars as social clubs for men of common experiences and as a means of camaraderie. As a veteran myself, I have no interest in attending or visiting any posts. I pay my dues to help support, but have never set foot in a post. I just don’t care and it offers nothing for me. The posts have long been bastions for the WW2 and to some extent Korea vets. They’ve never adapted to the younger vets, including the Vietnam Vets in the 80’s and 90’s. As with most things, their time has largely come and gone.
As a Non-Combat Veteran who served for six years during the cold war mid 1970’s I never felt comfortable joining an organization that was dedicated to people who served in combat during a war.
I figure why join an organization where all you’ll get is questioned about what you did or didn’t do. Even though I carried a weapon my entire time in the service I was never shot at or had to fire my weapon.
I just got my orders and went where the government wanted me to go.
Just the throw of the dice, I guess. Now that I’m in my late 60’s that’s all water under the bridge now.
The problem with wanting a club where only “combat veterans” are allowed is that you quickly run out of people to tell your war stories to.
I’ve read too much about fake vets joining - military phonies - not enough vetting.
Easy to vet members : DD-214.
P.S. I’m eligible (VFW) - not interested...