For You Marines

[Pete]

For You Marines - and anybody else who is eligible for a verterans organization.

http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=272069

It is sad because they do so much good work in the local area. I see tons of Semper Fi stickers on cars in the Fayetteville area.

All organizations based on military service and lacking in membership.

Every veteran should belong to at least one veterans organization. You may not work in the organization or go to meetings but numbers count when the group tries to get something done.

OK - off my soapbox.

Pete

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Pete

Every veteran should belong to at least one veterans organization.

You know I agree with you for the most part, however a lot depends on where you are and what makes up these organizations. I have found a lot of difference among mindsets up here in Vermont where the difference between a military retiree and a military veteran are so stark that you would think that we did not serve in the same military. I actually joined several organizations when I got here but I left all of them and moved my membership to the national level for just two. It may be just my shallow view on things but I think it is part a parcel of what happens to some of us that spend their active years in the military and come away broken and that is we seem to define ourselves in terms that reflect what we did as being who we are. Veterans on the other hand, regardless of how admirably they might have served, define themselves in broader terms where the military was but a brush stroke or two on the canvas of their history. Of course that is not true for all, but it is certainly true up here and perhaps that is because of the liberal nature of the State. Consequently there is a very provincial view of the world around them and in a State that prides itself more on social welfare than self determination and individual responsibility for ones actions, it makes it very difficult to sit around with the "vets" and listen to them bitch and moan about what Uncle Sam owes them for missing a couple of prime years of opening deer, trout, or turkey season. Just my opinion.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

... I actually joined several organizations when I got here but I left all of them and moved my membership to the national level for just two. It may be just my shallow view on things but I think it is part a parcel of ..... Just my opinion.

And I agree with you. While you didn't find a good fit in your local area you maintain two national level memberships.

If every veteran joined at least one vets organization the numbers would help with Washington issues.

While I don't do much in either, I belong to the Legion and SFA. I help with their numbers and fund raisers.

Pete

[82ndtrooper]

Based on Col. Jack M's assesment I have a short story regarding a KANG soldier.

Two years ago on Derby day myself and another buddy that I served with while assigned to the 82nd Airborne were eating and drinking at an Applebee's shortly after the race. A man walked in with his U.S. Army PT uniform on with a gold chain hanging around his neck. He walked up close enough to us to order a couple of beers from behind us. I asked if he was AD and he replied with "No, I'm with KANG, here in Ft. Thomas, fugggin Army, stupid war, dumb NCO's, fugg the ANG"..................almost in lock step myself and my buddy said "You've got to get a new attitude !!!" We were both ready to cover his beer purchase until he opened his big fat whiney mouth.

Here it's kinda the same. The VFW halls are very active, but if you didn't serve in WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, your considered only partially part of the club. Just my observation. From what I hear, that's changing rapidly with new membership from homecoming veterans of OIF and OEF.