Any young people in the VFW?

Question

I was oversees for OEF and am technically eligible to join the VFW. But, I'm only 27. Are there even any young members? Is there really any point in joining before I'm 60?

Answer 1

I joined after Desert Storm and I was 30 at the time. I'm 45 and I am a life member, but I still don't really go to any meetings- I feel very out of place because everyone is like 60-75 years old and all the activities revolve around them. There are benefits for joining such as travel, rent a car, and hotel discounts.

Answer 2

Hey, thanks for serving!

I've been a member of VFW for about 30 years now and hope to be for another 30. It is a great organization. Yes, there are young people in the organization, but not as many as we need. We (us old guys) need you young guys to come in and take the reins. New thoughts, new ideas, new legs, and new attitudes are sincerely appreciated. We are slowly getting the young people in with programs such as giving free membership for the first year to active duty veterans.

What happened was we were mostly supported by WWII and Korean War vets, so there was the period of about 1970-2000 where most of the members would probably be in your classification of "old." But as we Vietnam vets started to enter the VFW system the age slowly started to drop. And, the slow attrition of our WWII vets caused some of this drop as we lose around 1100 a day to passing on. But now, we Nam vets are getting up in the years and it is time for you guys from the Gulf War, Afganistan, Iraq, etc., to step up and help us help veterans. That is the total key to joining and why to join. Our mission is to help other veterans and their families and the number of activities ongoing around the United States by the VFW is unbelievable.

I hope you join to help better our organization and keep it going for our brothers in arms. I have truly enjoyed my service with VFW having served in a number of officer positions (currently a Chaplain), as editor of several veteran newspapers and as head of an Honor Guard where I performed a couple thousand funeral services for our heroes.

What can you do? Well, there are always physical needs at the VFW Post that old troops like me just can't perform any more. Also, you could get involved in fund raising such as the Poppy Drive to help our veterans. Or, if the Post has an Honor Guard, you could join it and help honor the passing of our brothers.

Finally, in answer to the question of whether you should wait until you are 60. Frankly, my main concern if you troops serving in the past 10 or 15 years don't join now the VFW may not be in existence when you are 60. I will be gone, as well as many of my fellow volunteers. We need you now!

God Bless America and our troops in harms way. And, again, thanks for serving our country.

Answer 3

I would say there are young members but not as many as would be nice. I have been a life time member since I retired from the Army but don't go to the club often. Most of the people who hang around my post are WWII navy vets and don't particularly like Vietnam vets of any service. Don't know about my son, he's done two tours in Iraq with the Army.

Answer 4

The local VFW is populated with lots of WWII and Vietnam vets. They are really supportive of the youngins. Some of the female vets are in line for the leadership positions as well.

Answer 5

YES!!! The VFW needs young blood to join up.

Answer 6

I joined after I got out and I was only 27. I've belonged all these years, although I don't go there. My dad was a commander, so I supported the local.

Answer 7

I joined them and the American Legion before i was 30 we need more young people to fill those ranks. SO bring a friend with you.
Semper Fi

Answer 8

i was asked to join too, but as a 30 year old female, i didn't feel comfortable either. maybe in a few years, but for now, i keep busy with work and family stuff.