I see a lot of posts on social media about how younger veterans don’t feel like the established VSOs (American Legion, VFW, Amvets, etc.) “relate” to them. Several groups have risen up across America that cater specifically to the younger veterans. They advertise that they are “family friendly”, and offer a place where veterans and their families can come play tennis, basketball, video games, or drink and have a place to sleep it off.
In my mind,
this is fine, but NOT a “substitute” for a VSO. The typical VSO is not a gym or
a hotel with a bar. Neither is their purpose a social club. I grant you, some
of them DO have a bar, but that is their way to raise funds for the programs
they have for veterans and their families. The middle letter in VSO stands for
SERVICE. And most of them are quite “family friendly” because they have myriad programs
and opportunities for spouses and children of veterans.
SERVICE: I
can’t list everything, because I have to eat and sleep sometimes, but here are
a few of the things the VSOs in Birmingham (and everywhere) do:
* Have CERTIFIED Service Officers whose
job it is to file your disability claim. FREE.
* Service Officers also help with other
benefits, such as:
GI Bill benefits
VA Loans for housing
Education
benefits for spouses and dependent children
Obtaining
your military records
Depending on which state you live in, there are other,
state-based benefits the Service officer knows about. In Alabama, we have
nursing homes and
State-based benefits in addition to your National VA
benefits.
*Most VSOs also have money for emergency
payments (electricity, gas, rent)
*Some VSOs use some of their money for emergency food, Christmas for the children of veterans (and others), CARE packages sent overseas, etc.
*Most VSOs also work with local Home Depots and contractors to repair homes of veterans or their widows – everything from major stuff like roofs, bathrooms, kitchens – to building wheelchair ramps, repairing walls and floors, etc.
*VSOs have essay and/or oratorical
contests that provide quite large scholarships
for children of
veterans. Some also sponsor baseball and soccer teams at their local schools. Then there is American Legion
Baseball (scholarships)
*American Legion sponsors Boys State in every state. Every boy who attends gets a guaranteed scholarship. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors girls to Girls State.
*Most VSOs have an “honors” team that provides bugles, rifles and/or chaplains for interment of veterans. Some also have Patriot Guard Riders liaisons. They also will, if asked, provide flag education, flag disposal ceremonies, and flag disposal for your unserviceable flag.
*VSOs always support other veterans groups, like all the State and National Cemeteries, Wreaths Across America, parades, Veterans Day and Memorial Day programs, Three Hots and a Cot, the Vet Centers, and activities at the local V.A. Hospitals – visitation, coffee rooms, information desks, homeless veterans programs, baby showers at the V.A. Clinic, etc.
*Virtually ALL VSOs have an Auxiliary that helps with their programs, and some even have a YOUTH group, with leaders from the organization that teach HONOR, SERVICE, and mentor our future leaders
So please join your other veterans groups. Have fun. But do NOT think these are a substitute for the Veteran Service Organizations. That is comparing apples and cherry pie.
