Veterans of Foreign Wars

Are you a member? What is your opinion of the VFW?

I have been a member since 1952. I dropped out of our local post because some members refused to prove their eligibility. Since then at least one has been ejected because he had altered his DD 214 to show service in Vietnam. There are others that just refuse to produce proof-period.

In our New York State Overseas Veteran news paper (Published by NY State VFW) The number one legislative concern is; On this vital issue:
1. Support Flag Amendment and keeping God in the pledge.

Surely there are more important things?

180

he is now gone and it seems like the place is more of a cheap bar and rental hall then anything else these days. Sadly he would be very upset with them. They even tossed out a local Catholic War Vets group from meeting there. I don't know the reason but all their stuff is now stuffed into my town office, where I store my files.

I don't understand why people support stupid feel good amendments that would take years to pass and in their inception didn't include the provisions now added.

One would think veterans issues, Agent Orange, Gulf War syndrome, veteran housing, hospitalization and nursing home issues would be top priorities.

I take it you saw the fiasco of the Vets group that owned a skyscraper in Poughkeepsie, whose rentals were farmed out and it was managed by a few upper level members of the group.

the Poughkeepsie event. Our local post seems to be a place to go and steal money. It happens about once every five years. Tickets are a big item. Lot of money drifting around.

4. Increase the number of veteran nursing homes in the state.

Not forgotten in all fairness!

180

and I'm a little confused. I have the bonafied credentials to be a member and intend on staying one but I guess I'm just involved in a little generational twilight zone. Since I'm just a pup, I'll sit back and bide my time, but what a potentially powerful force for good for our veterans. I'm easily confused but I'll sort my thoughts out. Sorry for the ramble but my plan of action has not been established yet. And thankyou for your service to our country.

I notice sales of the "Buddy Poppy" are falling. I do not buy them anymore ever since I discovered our post mis-used the funds. That sort of thing must be stopped. It is time for the younger Vets to step up and set things right.

I spent many months in a VA Hospital. Many of the old Vets struggled daily assembling "Buddy Poppies" I think they were paid a penny apiece. Many times in later years I sat outside selling buddy poppies for my post. One young man stopped by. He was driving a ratty rusty old pickup truck with three little kids in the truck with them. He paid five bucks for his poppy. To see this type of financial gift being misused was my last effort re-poppies.

180

(PS- Do not ever let 180 take the Helm! Hee hee hee! Actually I am a decent seaman. And thank you for your service Chief.

180

I'm a member at large, my Post # is 14000. There's a VFW Post just down the street from where I currently live, but I,m not sure about giving up my member at large status.

180

I was Junior Vice Commander but when the Commander and I tried to turn it more family oriented and less bar oriented we met a lot of resistance. I ran into problems with the bar manager when I questioned purchases and he said I wasn't a good member because my wife hadn't joined the Ladies Auxiliary. His brother who hadn't served was an associate member which they had created so family members could drink cheap. I found the little shit made it undesirable for me. However there were godd hardworking members who did work for Veterans but they had already been intimidated by this goon and let him run his own show with the bar. I later moved and haven't gone back. I had a run-in with another post leader who was complaining about the lack of support from the GOPers but disparaged Clark and Kerry. I guess you just have to check it out and see how your post operates.

an American Legion member (They used the VFW club as there were not enough Legionnaires to have their own club.)He worked his way into every thing, got his wife a job tending bar and so forth. Then it was discovered (As I suspected) he had never even been in the service. Last I heard he left the area in shame.

The VFW should clean up their own mess and they should stay out of the politics and God stuff.

IMHO

180