Posted on 08/18/2004 8:41:56 AM PDT by ozidar
I recently received a solicitation for membership in the American Legion. I am eligible due to my service in the Air Force during the Gulf War era. I'm sure there are members here. Can you share with me some of the reasons for joining or not joining? I would really like to learn more about the organization. If you want to reply privately instead of publicly that's fine too.
Hope the American Legion in his area is more freindly then this VFW is up by me. The boose is cheap but if you didn't grow up in the area, your really not welcomed, even if your a Nam vet. As time goes by, I forsee it (this post) dying off.
Here in my neck of the woods (Arlington, VA) my Korean-era vet father (WWII "vet" if you want to include his refugee childhood) joined post #139 a decade ago, then found out it was basically a drinking club for geezers. He now confines his Legion activities to nearby post #85 (a generational schism in the past, the Vietnam-era guys go there).
It's academic to me. When I got out of the Navy in '88 I was told by the personnelman on my ship that I qualified by dint of the Gulf of Sidra action (I think I still have a few "I crossed the line of death" cruise T-shirts in storage somewhere) that my ship was involved in for the VFW but not the American Legion. Well whatever, as I have to stay away from drinking situations it must remain forever academic.
From what little I've seen, the aforementioned organizations could use a shot of new blood. Individual posts probably vary greatly around the country but I would say by all means check them out and if they don't suit you then, by Cracky, borrow a page from the rules for radicals and team up with your buddies to infiltrate them and make them over to suit.
As an "outsider", it was my impression that the Legion was slightly more formally organized. They got involved in sponsoring community activities like baseball leagues for teens. The VFW was more oriented towards the vets themselves, sponsoring events that gave 'em a "men's night-out with the boys". And while both groups drank beer, I think the VFW usually did the larger volume of business. But that very well could have varied in different communities.
If you're in AA or younger than 55 don't bother attending the facility; joining isn't that bad an idea, they may help your widow secure your 1/40th acre, no mule though.
Gee - I like your taste in names! LOL! Welcome to Free Republic!
I really do think it's liek anywhere else: depends a lot on the character of the characters. The VFW/AL posts near Ft. McCoy took me in, a total stranger.
Both served food and beer, both welcomed brethren under arms, both served the communities. The Legion is far better organized, I'll agree - and more vocal.
But, the vets of older wars are leaving us at a shocking rate. It's up to us, their successors, to keep on.
The American Legion is the worlds largest Veterans organization which accomodates all members of your family Sons, Daughters, Wife, grandchildren.. Scholarships are offered to all of the above.. There are a whole lot of other benefits also.
It is an organization that looks after our benefits and other interests of all veterans. We need all of the eligible veterans as members.
C D Cook, Commander
District 13 Alabama American Legion.
Not as such. There are ladies auxiliaries;
http://www.legion-aux.org/
There's also the Sons of The American Legion. I'm qualified for both, but I was SAL before I enlisted. An active SAL chapter isn't much different than the legion. Requirements to join aren't as stringent as for legionaries.
http://www.sal.legion.org/member.htm#memb
::bowing:: Thank you, thank you.
Heaven help the Jihadis, if someone decides to put an entire company of old pharts into battle. Old age and Treachery vs. youth and skill - they don't stand a snowball's chance...
The Ladies Aux would be a good thing for your wife..if you are married or you daughters.
Our unit last year made 60 lap quilts for the spinal cord unit at the VA hospital in Memphis. Made sure they had Christmas goodies.
Their lobbying group helps to net Vets better benifits.
If he's only an Gulf War era Vet, he won't qualify for the VFW. Hubby is Vietnam era Vet, and can only join the AM Legion.
Probably not eligible for VFW, unless you served in Thailand in support of ops. I don't know about at Anderson, I would think that would do it too, if you served there during the Vietnam war. However if you never served overseas, then you are not eligible for VFW membership, it is after all the Veterans of Foreign Wars. You are definitely eligible for Legion membership. Your period of service brackets mine, and I am eligible and was a member, but I let it lapse when I moved. Basically if you are eligible for the national defense service medal, you are eligible for Legion membership.
My Dad belonged to both, plus the DAV (a branch of which is visible from Mom's house). Check here for VFW eligibility (PDF file!) and here for Legion eligibility (also PDF, it's the application form)
Francis Scott Key Post # 11 - Bump Way to the top!
I like the Legion. They were the force behind the GI Bill and continue to support Veteran's needs. They also sponsor a pretty good baseball program. You don't have to only belong to one veteran's organization.
They have a website at http://www.legion.org/
Besides all the good reason to join above, there is one other: Hanoi Jane Fonda decals in the urinals. Whoever said "Coke is the pause that refreshes," never took a pi$$ at the local legion post!!!
Pride Runs Deep!
Gail, if your husband was in combat in Viet Nam then he most most certainly can join the V.F.W. !!! He should have received a Viet Nam Service Medal for combat service.
Here is the link for all those eligible veterans who have received a combat action ribbon for service overseas, who can join the V.F.W.
Viet Nam Service Medal
July 4, 1965 until March 8, 1973
http://www.vfw.org/pdf/eligibility.pdf
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