Adrian Cole
A millennial veteran calls on his peers to help modernize and reform the VFW
Recent articles have proclaimed the oasis of modern veteran service to be millennial organizations. These organizations may offer grassroots support to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans; however, as a recent
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is an organization operating under congressional charter ,
recognized for its service in combat against the nation’s enemies, and
will always fight for current service members and veterans. Join any of
the secondary veteran service organizations you like, but these should
not be in place of the VFW. We are already sitting at the table in
Capitol Hill. However, if the modern veteran lets the VFW guidon fall,
the encroachment on benefits will continue .
Yes, modernization needs to happen within the organization, that can
only come from our generation of leaders, those who have walked away
discouraged and disillusioned. Not all posts are the same, and the VFW
is ours to change.
The
VFW as a whole is also working to improve some of its outdated
policies. The national charter was recently changed to remove gender
bias, a move long overdue. However, further progress requires more
modern-era veterans within the voting body of the VFW. We can do this,
but not if everyone gives up and walks away. Every generation of
veterans faced similar challenges upon return, and stepped up to revamp
the organization. It is our turn.
I’m the adjutant in myVFW post
at the Bath Senior Center in Maine, serving under the command of
Kenneth Lambert, a 20-year Army veteran with nine combat tours. People
like Ken are why I’m involved. We are the new generation leading the
post, with the top three officer positions being held by veterans of our
wars.
In my post, there are six vets from Afghanistan or Iraq out of the 88 members; three serve in the top officer positions. We want to do more to combat certain localcharities
that are fleecing grant and donation monies that should go to needy
veterans, but need to build more clout locally to spar with them
politically. The first step comes back to increasing the active
membership of millennial veterans who can help in this endeavor.
VFW National Commander John Stroud supports change within the VFW, stating in a November letter posted to the national website:
treatment facility .
While representatives there wanted a photo opportunity with this
veteran and the senator, he has yet to receive their assistance. To
date, this man has only received support from my VFW post and Goodwill,
even after his story was shared with the people who claim to be helping
homeless vets. Like I said, support for veterans still has a long way to
go.
Come help your comrades keep what we earned.
Adrian
Cole is a former Army Captain. He served two combat tours as an
artillery officer in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, and lives in
Maine.
I’m the adjutant in my
In my post, there are six vets from Afghanistan or Iraq out of the 88 members; three serve in the top officer positions. We want to do more to combat certain local
VFW National Commander John Stroud supports change within the VFW, stating in a November letter posted to the national website:
For those members and Posts who would
rather serve themselves than the countless veterans who are in need,
remind them that this organization exists for the benefit of all
veterans rather than those of an entitled few. I want to make it clear
that I will willingly provide my complete support to any of my
Department Commanders who move to shut down any Post, or remove from our
leadership rolls, anyone that is not committed to the goals of the
organization.
While there are more than 40,000 registered organizations helping
veterans, or at least claiming to help, our community still has a long
way to go. In September, I attended a roundtable discussion hosted by
the Mid-Coast Veterans Council, where Maine Sen. Angus King met with a
group of local organizations and charities to debate challenges facing
Maine veterans. In attendance was a homeless veteran who had just been
released from a PTSD Come help your comrades keep what we earned.