Is there much of an effort to recruit younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan? Or does the old stereotype still hold - that the posts are mainly a place for World War II and Korea vets to whittle away the time until they’re carted off to the nursing home?
I also remember hearing once that they were initially reluctant to accept Vietnam veterans, seeing as how they supposedly lost the war. Is there any truth to that?
And what are their membership requirements? I know the VFW is limited to those who served overseas, but howabout the American Legion? Do they accept all veterans, regardless of when or where they served?
I don’t know any current Legionairres, but all the officers in our local Legion in my high school days (ca. 20 years ago) were Vietnam vets.
The American Legion accepts anyone who has served honorably during time of war.
At my former AL post, most of the members were Vietnam Veterans. A few were of the Panama / Gulf War generation, but we made up about 20% of the membership. While under the threat of closing due to low membership, several of the younger set tried to recruit the local military population. (This post was located only blocks away from National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.) No dice, and the post was closed in December.
At my new post, it’s pretty much the same. Mostly older members from Vietnam (and even some Korean war). But the younger vets are represented as well. There are at least 3 members I know who are currently on active duty (the requirement for membership is not limited to having served during combat, but one can be on active duty status during the current conflicts to satisfy membership requirements). Also, family members are allowed in either as guests or as members of the Sons of American Legion. Several other family members also are "members’, but their membership is more like a grandfather clause than official membership.
As far as the stereotype, I would sort of disagree. Granted, there are a lot of older vets who hang out there for the better part of the day, but they’re not necessarily all drunks. It’s just a nice place to go and hang out with your peers rather than sit at home alone all day long. I have met several people from older generations who, without my participation in the Legion, I would have never considered speaking to. They are all great people. Further, I find it is easier to socailize at a Legion Hall than the average bar. We all have a common bond, and just randomly opening a conversation with somebody there is easier to do than any downtown bar.
Just my opinion, but I find it easier and more comfortable to socialize at the Legion than anywhere else.
I at least WAS a member of the VFW, when I lived in a dry county, it was one of only two places within 30 minutes to drink. I was also a member of the country club 