I have been going to the American Legion meetings for about 2 years now. I am starting to see why they are falling apart and don’t have much support from local veterans. It appears they struggle with multiple issues, and only veterans can stop the decline. The Veteran Service Organizations (VSO’s) are the main lobbyist for veterans’ benefits. The VSO’s are key to the success of veterans getting and maintaining their benefits. They also do public projects, volunteer to do road cleanup, support and have youth groups, have auxiliaries, and support local veterans and their need. The VSO’s do a lot of good for veterans and the community, but that is declining. The issues have been growing for years. There are so few veterans who want to join and participate in the activities the VSO’s promote, hurting all veterans.
Local VSO’s are closing at an alarming rate, the biggest issue is the lack of participation. We are a part of the problem by refusing to adapt to the needs of the younger veterans. The VSO’s were at their peak after WWII and Korea. As we have started to lose our WWII and Korean war veterans the Vietnam era veterans started to take over. Part of the problem has been the resistance to change. The elder statesmen from WWII and Korea have been resistant to the changes, and it appears the Vietnam era veterans are following suit. I know this is a controversial statement, but it appears to be factual. I have heard where the WWII veterans would treat the Vietnam veterans awful because Vietnam was not a “war” according to them. Because of this some Vietnam era folks quit trying to be a part of the organizations and never went back. But now the Vietnam folks who came back are viewed as the Grumpy old men by the new veterans, and the tradition continues.
One of the major issues we see today is the clash of the differing generations. The Vietnam veterans don’t understand the new veterans and the new veterans don’t want to sit around with a bunch of people who they feel don’t want them around. A lot of the younger generation veterans don’t want anything to do with a military associated organization even if they found the time. For them it is difficult to work a full-time job, have a family, and volunteer with the VSO’s. On top of that most VSO’s do not have anything appealing to the newer generation of veterans. That needs to change if the VSO’s are going to survive. There are few internet cafes, game rooms, or just places to hang out that are catered toward their wants and needs. Most VSO’s are a bar with a part time restaurant where people sit and drink, talk crap, and a place to not be judged and feel safe. The issue is some of the new vets don’t drink and don’t want to be in a room with a bunch of folks who just sit around drinking and make rude comments. I had one friend, who is an Iraq war veteran who went to a VSO for dinner, trying to support fellow veterans and deciding if he wanted to join the VSO. After dinner was over, he sat there to check it out. An older veteran looked at him and said… if you’re not a member get out! He was not asked to join the VSO, he was not told politely we are closed for non-members, he was just told to get out. It might surprise you, but he did not join or ever go back. In my opinion this is not acceptable and giving the younger veterans a reason not to join. This behavior gets out and is a part of the decline and participation in membership. It needs to be known that the elder statesman who rudely talked to my friend is not the norm, he is an outlier. It has been my experience that most members are good people who want to help their fellow veterans and the community.
For the VSO’s to survive they will be needing new members. It appears they will continue to go under if some changes are not made. If you are a veteran, please consider looking into a local VSO. You can be the one to change the culture if you are willing to be around a lot of good veterans and some grumpy old men. They need your help! The VSO’s are in business to help veterans and keep the idea of service before self-alive in the veteran community. By supporting the VSO’s, you are supporting other veterans, helping keep the benefits we have earned alive for future generations of veterans.