Just a question, was wondering for you guys who go the the VFW and the like, what's the youngest guy you have there? I've had a membership with the VFW since I got back from Kuwait but I've never been to one of the actual posts. The guys who signed me up said alot of people just come to talk and volunteer. Wouldn't mind doing it but have a feeling I might not fit in too well due to my age lol.
Anyway was just curious

My mother-in-law is a member. She will be 98 next July.

VFW here is a bunch of alcoholics

Here too

alcoholics go somewhere else for their meetings.

VFW has always been a low count bar as far as I've ever known. Never knew anyone who was an actual member. Even though they are supposedly a veterans organization.

I think the American Legion does actual veterans stuff but I may be wrong and they got a bar, too. Usually a little better class of a bar, but not always.

the vfw & legion sponsors all kinds of community oriented programs, annual scholarships, and help veterans & many times non-veterans who need help. my dads been a member of the same vfw post since returning from vietnam & after he had knee replacement surgery they put up a railing on his porch steps,
the bar flys that sometimes frequent legion & vfw bars are unknowingly supporting their communities.
also many have bingo gatherings & its a way for the older folks to get together & socialize. some are dives for sure, but not all of them.
i always enjoyed the hanoi jane urinal targets lol

Here too, just a booze hall for drunks.

The post I am in has about 84 members most of which are my age (74) or older. About 12 show up for monthly meetings and when we have events 2-4 per year in the community we have about 15 that volunteer.
We provide color guards, funeral last rites, lead parades in a couple communitees, provide official flag disposal, have two different essay events for middle school age and HS age students. There are stipends for those winners.
As to being young would you be out of the age range I would say yes. We have not been successful in recruiting new members for many years so our average age continues to increase.
I am a person who does not drink but many do, as do most adults in our mostly German background communities.
I am also a member of the VVA which is the Vietnam Veterans of America,which last year at their convention voted to not let other veterans join so we are a last man standing organization with just under 100k of members.
The VFW and Legions have done many good community based events but with higher costs and advancing age those events will become less and less over time.
The other thing that is taking place is there are very specific veteran's groups being formed for very limited opportunities to join or be a member. There are several wounded veteran's orgs, purple heart orgs, combat vet orgs, military branch of service orgs, biker vet orgs etc. These all serve to splinter the veterans, but they are more attrative to younger vets from what I see.
Bryce

Around here its the legion that does community stuff.

I am a life member of VFW Post 3944, Overland/St. Ann, and we are a very active post in the community, from showing our over 100 yr old model T in local parades, to supporting our local veterans home and hospital. Yes, our post bar does a brisk trade, and is open to the public. I and several other members don't drink, but nobody holds that against us! LOL. We sponsor Scout Troops, Patriots Pen, a scholarship program, and many programs for disabled Veterans, and widows and orphans. Our funding comes from our weekly fish fry, monthly chicken fry, meat shoot and 2 bingos a week. We have been honored by being named "All American" post 7 years. a row.
When I came home from the Nam, a lot of the deuces, WW2 vets, didn't really want us around their post, but as they died off, attitudes changed. If you're a Vet, and not a member, give us a chance, you might like us.
VFW Service officers do more to get vets help and ratings than anybody.

I'll be making a post about the new program called the "PACT ACT", Watch for it and please read it! It's very imprant to ALL VETS!

These Veterans groups over the past few years have closed down or consolidated due to the younger vets not joining up. Trust me, they want you. They want to hear your stories. There is always one or two that will give you some razing but its all in good fun. Take a photo album in of your deployments and duty. Those "old" vets love it on seeing changes over the generations and they will open up to you.

At age 51, I'm one of the youngest of my American Legion post. I've been a member for three years. I too thought it was for old guys but reality hit me hard one Memorial Day parade in town. I was standing there as a veteran with my 6 year old daughter watching the Legions Colour Guard limp by barely making it down the 1/2 mile parade route to present the Colors and place the wreath at the three war monuments in town. I felt like crap standing on the sidelines. As a younger veteran we have to stand up and continue to support our Veterans organizations. I've since stepped into being a member of that Colour Guard. Its an honor. Almost every town has that stone with WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam & Gulf War/GWT names etched on it who made the ultimate sacrifice. Join just for them if nothing else. They need you to make sure that they are never forgotten. Those Veterans who've completed their final mission, make sure you are there to render the final solute as TAPS plays in the background. All of us who have served in the last 30 - 40 years need to step up to the plate. The Vietnam vets were eventually accepted into the VFW's and Legions. Its those Vietnam Vets who've been handling the duties, now its our turn.

Our VFW post is pretty active. we have one WWII member left, the rest are korea, vietnam, and recent vets. I think my wife is the youngest active member(38). we use to go to a lot of meeting and I was a commander a while back(43yo). lately we havent been to many meetings because of beign busy, but we do miss it. we have aprox 100 members and 12-15 show up at meetings.

If we hear about a local vet in need we help them out, also do some community stuff too. one of our members use to go into the kindergarden class and teach them the pledge of allegiance and they would get a certificate. im hoping that still goes on. What i liked most was just connecting with other vets and hearing their stories!!!

I went to one meeting of the local group many years ago.

They were all REMF's and all they wanted to do was drink and lie.

I had nothing in common with them so I never went back.

Went once after I retired that's all I needed to see

WE have some younger veterans. We are also from a smaller town, but we do what we can for our community. Our youngest member on our Honor Guard is 70.
I never let being different stop me from helping.

Garryowen

Go see what its like where you live. I think all areas are different. Check out the American legion also. Ask around maybe there is another group you fit into. I don't belong to any groups. I never belonged to any military ones .It just does not interest me.