How the VFW is turning around its image, saving itself from closing posts, declining members

For years, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts have been closing across Michigan, as membership in the veteran organization dropped.
In the 1990s, there were around 130,000 members in Michigan. In 2021, there were about 35,000.
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[@robertw5391]

When OIF/OEF Vets go a lot of them are told they are not welcome. Old guys can keep their Smokey bar till it fails. Newer Vets want to volunteer and be helpful, not be angry drunks. My 2 cents.

[@semperfi-1918]

Not the expirience ive had there are atleast 3 younger vets that are part of my local vfw and were looking to recruit more. And the 3 are heavily involded with the vfw. And im working on getting my membership moved since i moved.

[@fbicontacted7690]

None of those things they're trying to do are going to help. It's still an unsaid old white male organization. The white female bar tenders and Auxiliary members have an attitude towards female and minority veterans. Not the place for me or most of the people I served with. It's a good place to play bingo, get drunk if you want to smell like an ashtray afterwards.

[@fbicontacted7690]

Agreed! If they don't say you're not welcome they sure in hell act like it.

[@navyav8r653]

I can't agree more. I joined when I was in Taps class and paid for a lifelong membership that made me a member at large. I've dropped into different posts over the years for their meetings, and it felt like a bunch of old men reliving their military days. I found they all lend themselves out for corporate nonsense and openings of a golf course. So much could be done with the resources they have available. With old retired men running it, they just don't do much on the ground level

[@geoffreydavis9019]

Lmao….. I’ve seen post close for getting rid of the canteen and the communal gathering every day. If you want religion go to church! The vfw is not Red Cross if you want charity work go volunteer there!!! The vfw was astablished to be a communal gathering place for vets that came home from war and for vets!!!! Mine has become a small building were a meeting is held once a month, and for what? To collect money for various charity’s, then volunteers for events for the Comunity. Dues and money should go to the communal functions for the vfw membership, but instead it’s used for the command staff to go on trips, and promoting themselves up to the state level, while raping the vfw members pockets. If you have never had the intention of comrodery and want the vfw to spend there money on you your dead wrong. The best men I’ve known are those so called drunk setting at the canteen. Most of the vets now are members of the moose ( a bar).

[@semperfi-1918]

100% as a combat vetran i can say we dont always talk war however... sometimes vets can only vent to vets. 1800 suicide line doesnt nessisarily wrong just not goona help in alot of cases. Its the face to face talk that helps.

[@kirkel101968]

When I got out the military in 1989, I was told I didn’t qualify. Why? No War between Vietnam war 1975 and First Gulf War 1991. This is part the reason there numbers are declining. 😢

[@showmeyourdaleel6568]

You qualify for the legion. The VFW requires in country combat zone service or in Korea.

[@DavidLangLeadership]

@@showmeyourdaleel6568 Not exactly. If you have received Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay or have been awarded a U.S. campaign or service medal, you qualify.

[@showmeyourdaleel6568]

@@DavidLangLeadership your right Korean service after the Korean War qualifies

[@hangarby10]

IHere's a suggestion for recruiting: REPLY back to inquiries and get with the times! I tried three times to different, VFWs in San Antonio TX region; could never get a reply, return message, etc. I went to another, nearby VFM meeting and they were all just arguing about financials, etc. I'll use my volunteer time elsewhere.