We presently have two large veterans organizations. 1. The American Legion and 2. The Veterans of Foreign Wars. We do have a smaller one 3. Vietnam Veterans of American. I know the different "focus" of the organization but therer should be only one focus 'VETERANS'. It would seem that one organization would be stronger and more powerfull in fighting for the rights of all veterans or is it that the real reason we dont have one is because of internal power plays like it happens in large corporations as to who is going to be "on top" of the ship. Its a duplicate effort and we should only have one voice for veterans.
2006-08-19 12:05:38 · 9 answers · asked by Man of La Mancha 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
SO FAR THE ANSWERS ARE INTERESTING BUT JUST THAT....INTERESTING. YES, I KNOW THERE ARE A FEW MORE EXCELLENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO A GREAT JOB. THE REALITY IS THAT YOU CANNOT CHOOSE AND JOIN, EACH ONE HAS SOME SPECIFIC RULES, TAKE THE VFW, YOU MUST HAVE SERVED "IN COUNTRY'' DURING A SPECIFIC WAR AND OR CONFLICT....THEY LEAVE OUT THE DRILL SGT THAT SPENDS HIS TIME BACK IN THE US TRAINING THE SAME TROOPS THAT MUST GO INTO COMBAT....IS HE LESS A VETERANS?? WE NEED ONE JUST ONE ORGANIZATION TO REPRESENT US ALL, IN UNITY BRINGS FORCE....AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
I BET WE WOULD NOT GET A SINGLE OFFICIAL ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION FROM ANY OF THE TWO MAIN ORGANIZATIONS [VFW AND AMER LEGION]..........
2006-08-19 15:49:42 · update #1
You are absolutely right on that, because if we had one Veterans Organization, it would be much stronger. I am a member of the National Assoication of Uniformed Services and it is a great organization.
2006-08-19 12:16:49 · answer #1 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
These organizations have nothing to do with you, the taxpayers, or tax payers money. They answer to no government organization and what work they do, is volunteer work.
Each one has it's own charter, and usually are controlled by a pocket of vets from distant wars, both geographically and chronologically and that's where the rub comes in.
In the town where I live, the VFW post was dominated by WWII vets. Well, I've got to tell you, as far as the Korean and Vietnam vets were concerned, they hated it because they wanted to do certain things, progressive things, and the old timers shot it down, every time. I'm surprised these Vietnam guys didn't start a new veterans organization, but thy figured the old guys will be out of the picture before you know it.
2006-08-19 19:50:00 · answer #2 · answered by briang731/ bvincent 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These organizations are started by individuals. That the American Legion and VFW are both advocating for the same things does not mean their efforts are a waste. On the contrary..their efforts are multiplied. People can choose which group they wish to be affiliated with. This is how it should be. If an organization isn't fulfilling it's purpose it wont last. By the way, you forgot the DAV.
2006-08-19 19:19:21 · answer #3 · answered by RunningOnMT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
USMC General Smedley D. Butler on the subject
Proliferating veterans' groups vied with each other for the distinction of adding his name (Gen. Butler) to their letterheads. He tactfully declined invitations to join, offering his view that all such groups "must be nonpolitical, and should never be heard on the floors of Congress." In June, 1923, he sent regrets to the Marine Corps Veterans Association explaining, "I have very decided views on associations, and I am not a member of any but the American Legion, and most inactive, at that-only joining it because General Lejeune requested me to do so." He considered the Legion too political and undemocratic, with leaders who used it as a mouthpiece for big-business interests.
2006-08-19 19:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by ole_gimlet_eye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well there are more...
The Non Commisioned Offiers Association and the Army's Association of the United States Army. AUSA.
Personally...I think they are both organizations that high level retirees just get good paying jobs at and I don't see much good coming from them.
2006-08-19 22:23:06 · answer #5 · answered by TOPKICK 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out the members of the Military Coalition.
http://www.themilitarycoalition.org/Members.htm
While groups may have different focuses, they do work together to help each other.
Sometimes it may seem like they are caught up in politics, but the reality is, they have lobbyists, etc., to "play the game" -- who know how to get things done on Capital Hill.
2006-08-19 19:44:32 · answer #6 · answered by Love2Sew 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and start one. Nobody is stopping you.
Or go ahead and try to convince two or more of those you named to merge. Go ahead.
That's the thing about freedom of association. People can form whatever groups they want. What more could you ask for.
2006-08-19 19:12:07 · answer #7 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your thoughts on that but I still don't think any of us will ever be given the voice that we deserve.
2006-08-19 19:12:06 · answer #8 · answered by RedC. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
veterans hospitals in many areas are either closed or drastically under funded,,,
2006-08-19 19:10:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋