So you went online and joined the VFW now what?

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 15:57:10 -0400

Outside of joining to increase their political clout, what do you do?

For me, I just recently renewed and started the lifetime membership process for no other reason than the political numbers reason. VFW at the national level (like AFSA, AFA, American Legion, and whatever the sister service versions of those orgs are) do great work.

On a whim, last week, while leaving the gate, there is a VFW post literally right outside the gate and stopped in and "joined" that post. It really fit the image I grew up as a military brat of what the VFW was. A smoke filled bar. They even offered me a beer after the paperwork was done (which I declined as I was in uniform).

So now what? I don't really drink? I don't smoke and am actually allergic to cigarette smoke. They didn't even bother to tell me when the next meeting was or when the next event was. I did get a nifty keycard to get in the building.

So Team RP, what has been your experience?
Is this typical for a currently (or recently separated/retired) Service Member?
Senior VFW members, is this the welcome you want to give us?
Is the stereotype of the VFW being "old men drinking at a bar" really not a stereotype?
What does it say about a post if they don't have a "website" and/or active "social media"?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 14 at 2015 4:11 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 16:11:27 -0400

Sadly, this has been my impression of our local post also. I'll be watching for some replies on this one. I suspect they will be along the lines of "be the change you wish to see".

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 14 at 2015 4:12 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 16:12:29 -0400

I'm a VFW member, but not with an actual post. I AM about to get involved with my local American Legion post though. They do a lot of events and also have the largest chapter of the American Legion Riders (motorcycle riding group) in Arizona.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jun 14 at 2015 4:31 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 16:31:12 -0400

Member of VFW and American Legion local I am 1 of the youngest at e7 years old

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jun 14 at 2015 5:06 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 17:06:58 -0400

There is a VFW post within 40 minutes of my home. Sadly, this stereotype fits them almost down to the 70's-era carpet on the floor. It is a smoke filled bastion of racism, sexism, and alleged drug related activity. One member even went so far as to tell me I wasn't welcome since I didn't serve during Viet Nam.

That was shortly after I retired. Needless to say, I haven't even darkened the doorway of a VFW since.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 14 at 2015 10:51 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 22:51:22 -0400

I renewed my VFW membership as well, and I even upgrade to lifetime.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 14 at 2015 11:36 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 23:36:40 -0400

Joining something on-line, sight unseen is a bit like buy those x-ray glasses from the back of the magazine. There are posts and there are posts. Mine has a pretty good mix and a whole bunch of them don't frequent the lounge. Many of them just whack away at doing service officer grunt stuff. Some of them Honor Guard funerals. Some of them spend their afternoons selling Bingo cards and making money for the post. Some of them cook chow for the comrades on Spaghetti Night. Some visit vets in the Hospital.

Point being ... go to the meetings .. not just the bar.

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made Jun 15 at 2015 11:21 AM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:21:31 -0400

Ok well first let me welcome you to the VFW. Now I will tell you if your around a base you will find the bar having VFW. But most other VFW do not have bar's anymore and are very open and welcoming. Now as for not having a social media site I would say its because most of the guys there don't know how to set one up and nobody has offered to do it for them. Im the Jr. Vice Commander at my Post 5578 Madison WV. we do many great things we are known thru out the state for our Honor Guard yet we did not have a website till I set 1 up on facebook 3 month ago. The thing about the VFW is if you don't like something about the local post become a active member in it you will find those that agree with you and get a few younger members to join and then change it. Everything in a post is done by votes. Someone makes a motion someone seconds it then talk about it or not but there is always a vote and if you have enough people thinking like you then it gets changed. All you have to do is step up.

On another note in the sate of WV there are only a hand full of post's with bar's out of over 100. Scout's Out

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jun 21 at 2015 1:23 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:23:49 -0400

The VFW here in McKinney TX is a non-smoking facility. The folks there have been fantastic about keeping me in the loop on up-coming meetings and events. I specifically picked the Lone Star Post because of the motorcycle club. After your description I guess I got lucky purely by way of happenstance.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 25 at 2015 4:32 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:32:52 -0400

I joined a VFW Post for the opportunity to serve veterans. I chose one that didn't have a bar. It has a calendar of events like visiting the local VA hospital and collecting food and clothing for active duty members as well as veterans. Next, I'm joining an American Legion post that is forming for the explicit purpose of fighting a community that is attempting to bar development of a national cemetery for veterans.

So, no, not all veterans posts are the same. We join the ones that suit us...

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 16 at 2016 12:20 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:20:49 -0400

I joined a Legion post several months ago, they have no building and conduct their meetings at the local VFW post. They pay the VFW $50 a month for a 1 hour meeting once a month in their hall. The bottom level of the VFW building has a "Canteen". Several of our Legion members are also members of the VFW post, including the VFW post commander himself. Last night I arrived at the VFW hall about an hour and a half before the meeting as I went straight there from work. I thought I would visit the canteen for the first time for a few beers before the legion meeting, and hopefully see the VFW commander there about joining the VFW. I hit the door bell and got "buzzed" in, and walked up to the bar. It was exactly the stereotype VFW bar complete with stale smoke and wood paneling. Immediately the older lady bartender who I assumed was an auxiliary member asked if I was a member and I said not yet and that I was here for the AL meeting. I was told that only VFW members and guests of members can be in the bar. I responded with that I hoping to see so-and-so and join today. She got real defensive like I was arguing with her and told me to go ahead and sign in. I apologized for the misunderstanding and was about to sign in when one of the old guys at the bar made a smart-ass comment as I walked by (not going to get into what was said). Instead of signing in I just walked out the door. Not exactly a warm welcome to a younger veteran wearing an Army cap seeking to become a member. I admit that I was pissed at what just happened, but realize it just ain't worth it. The place is just a hole in the wall smoky bar with a handful of old drunks who go there everyday and make it their private club. Outsiders, vets or not, are not welcome. What surprised me the most was the rude reception for a legion member whose organization PAYS rent to meet upstairs. Here I was, a Post 9/11 vet, showing up to have a beer and become a VFW member, and got a cold reception. Needless to say I will not be joining the VFW.