The American Legion and VFW will almost certainly die off. Will it really matter to younger veterans?

I went to my local post and was ran off. They don’t want younger members they treat them like crap. I walked in and was immediately made to feel unwelcome.

PO3 Doug Connell - Did you make a follow up contact with one of the post's leadership to make them aware of your reception? It could be that once they are aware, they could address the issue. Just my 2 cents.

Considering it was the post commander who I talked to told him I had an electronic DD214. He told me I could leave until I went and printed it off. Then told me that I had an attitude.

PO3 Doug Connell - Looks like the attitude is top down. Sorry leadership.

1stSgt Chris Schmidt - my Legion is in Texas where my parents live, they are both board members my mom being the Treasurer/Finance person and my dad I believe might be chaplain this year. My father was commander one year. But I would say I get treated nice because of my parents, I'm not sure if I'd be treated similarly if I was not connected to them, have I seen a female commander in my 9+ years as a member? No, I haven't. Is it because there isn't an opportunity or because I think they wouldn't get voted for by those members mainly male that have been with the post a long time.

What's funny I went to feed the hungry which was sponsored by the VFW and some of the men that came, mind you I had a baby strapped to my waist, were literally like where is your mom? Apparently, I look like a teenager or something. When I said no, I am a Veteran who is volunteering they were taken aback...Like that is something they don't see often.

Spot on.

First thanks for joining, second don't give up, or give in. I had it hard at first, but I showed them it works and now I get great support from the members. This last year we had our first African American Female County Commander, and while some of them were not sure at first, at the end of the year she was far more respected than before. We have to remember that nothing good comes easy.

Glad to have you in the VFW Captain! Don't be dissuaded - volunteer for a position no one else will do and then make a difference! Pretty soon, you will look around and those holding you back will be gone!

MAJ (Join to see) - I totally agree, Major. I just had this discussion with my wife. Online communication is nice and all, but nothing beats a face to face conversation. I told her that I joined Rally Point because it provides me an opportunity to talk to other veterans, some with different experiences, no matter the subject matter. But there is something more fulfilling about talking to someone over a beer and plate cheese sticks. Whether we are talking about veterans' issues or what our winter projects are going to be, there is just something about an in-person meeting that surpasses an internet posting. I think that's much more personal to be face to face and with our younger generations face glued to their smartphones, they may not be geared toward that.

Rallypoint is great, but it doesn't feed homeless Vets, or get them a hotel room, or a haircut. RP doesn't drive a Vet to his VA appointments, or serve coffee/donuts there every week. VFWs and American Legions... do that, and much more, in thousands of Communities all over the USA!

MSgt David Hoffman - I wasn't making any assertions about RP members, MSGT Hoffman, and in no way was I disparaging anyone on this feed, personally. And you are right - members of these VSOs do the things I described. I have yet to see, though, the Rallypoint platform, itself, turn into an organizing platform for charitable endeavors is all. (I'm sure, BTW that are examples of that out there.) The VSO itself is chartered to support these activities and has a physical location in a Community. So the leadership, communications and follow-through are facilitated by that relationship between the VFW and the VA, or the other Veterans group, or the Veterans in need themselves. VFWs and American Legions and the conflict-based groups... are a catalyst for charitable action - bringing together members, resources and partners. This is all I am getting at.

MSgt David Hoffman - BTW - it is the same oat our Post - we have close to 1,000 members but 30-40 people who are regular volunteers and about 8-10 core people who are running this place on a daily basis. That's a whole other conversation!!