A common career path for young men and women pursuing a career in law enforcement is to start by joining the military. And it makes sense.
When recruits start basic training, they learn everything about discipline, fitness, self-defense, shooting, and, best of all, how to get yelled at like a pro. This is everything a recruit will experience in the police academy.
And when you enlist into the military you accept the reality that you might be deployed to a combat zone. This possibility became a reality for many service members after the tragic events that unfolded on September 11th, 2001.
It's also why so many LEOs are also veterans.
And that makes them eligible to join a VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars. It’s a nonprofit organization created to help our veterans in a variety of ways. Food and clothing drives for veterans, VA disability claims assistance, community service opportunities, and a location for veteran camaraderie are just a small handful of things a VFW can offer local veterans.
But many eligible LEOs are not interested - and their reasons vary:
"VFW is for old people."
"I don't have time (kids, work, etc.)."
"I don't drink."
"There's nothing there for me."
It’s understandable why they may feel that way, but there's information they need to know.
Here are five reasons why they SHOULD join VFW.
1. Our aging veterans deserve our support. When I first visited VFW over two decades ago, there were several WW2 veterans around. Meeting one today is next to impossible and it is quickly becoming a reality for Korean War veterans, too.
Now our Vietnam-era brothers and sisters are getting up there in age. And they have fond memories of participating in events, community service activities, and hanging out with their battle buddies at their VFW.
But their numbers are dwindling and they're becoming less and less active at their VFWs. Some have unfortunately passed away, retired and moved south, or simply don't have the energy or drive to put in the work to keep their VFW successful. And most of them want nothing more than to pass the baton to the next generation and watch their sacred VFW flourish. That's where the Desert Storm and OIF/OEF generation comes in.
2. It's not a closed-off "old boys club." There's a preconceived notion that current VFW members don't want new guys “infiltrating” their VFW post. Although we can't say that never happens, the truth is that most VFWs struggle for members and would love to have a new veteran join the club.
Don’t expect cold shoulders or bad attitudes from current members if you join a VFW. Expect the opposite. The moment regular members see a new member walk into the post, their eyes light up and their hopes to see their post thrive are renewed.
A new member of the VFW and OIF veteran Kris Del Rosario (Army) told LET, “The older vets that keep these places going are getting less and less. New guys young/old can come in and be a big influence with what happens at the local VFW.”
3. It's a great way to bridge all community heroes. Our VFW recently connected with our local police department. Together we realized that we have common interests and shared goals: to help others within our military and law enforcement communities.
Mental health is a growing topic that is becoming less stigmatized in law enforcement. LEOs, first responders, and veterans/ servicemembers all deal with extreme scenarios that often lead to post-traumatic stress. And PTS can lead to a host of other personal problems, including suicide.
If you're a new LEO, ask an older officer if they know anyone who committed suicide. You may be surprised by the answer. Worse yet, there's a real chance that it's only a matter of time before you know someone yourself who lost their battle.
By joining VFW, we can all work together to help other heroes in countless ways.
4. A VFW is whatever you want it to be. There's another preconceived notion that VFWs are just bars for old vets. But the truth is a VFW is what you want it to be. The veteran members of any VFW dictate how the club is operated.
If you want your VFW to be a bigger resource to help veterans, a community-centered facility, or a physical location to hold fundraising events, then do it. The bottom line is that a VFW is what the members make of it.
“I was surprised to learn that the local VFW did more and plans to do more within the community. I thought it was just vets who show up and hang out at the bar really,” Del Rosario said.
5. It’s a great location to host police-related functions. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that everyone within the LEO community must stick together. LEOs often hang out with each other off-duty, whether after a shift for a drink or on a weekend day when the families get together.
Why not have those functions at a VFW? Most VFW posts have outdoor recreational facilities already equipped with picnic areas, BBQ stations, tables, gazebos, etc. And if you’re a VFW member of the post, expect to have the other members fully support an idea like this.
Our older veteran comrades want to see the next generation of veterans take the reigns and carry the torch for their VFW. Forget everything you thought you knew about VFWs and know that you are not only welcome, you are needed.
Remember our aging veterans fought for us, now let’s fight for them. God Bless America.
Visit the VFW website, https://www.vfw.org, for more information.
--
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and supply company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
When recruits start basic training, they learn everything about discipline, fitness, self-defense, shooting, and, best of all, how to get yelled at like a pro. This is everything a recruit will experience in the police academy.
And when you enlist into the military you accept the reality that you might be deployed to a combat zone. This possibility became a reality for many service members after the tragic events that unfolded on September 11th, 2001.
It's also why so many LEOs are also veterans.
And that makes them eligible to join a VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars. It’s a nonprofit organization created to help our veterans in a variety of ways. Food and clothing drives for veterans, VA disability claims assistance, community service opportunities, and a location for veteran camaraderie are just a small handful of things a VFW can offer local veterans.
But many eligible LEOs are not interested - and their reasons vary:
"VFW is for old people."
"I don't have time (kids, work, etc.)."
"I don't drink."
"There's nothing there for me."
It’s understandable why they may feel that way, but there's information they need to know.
Here are five reasons why they SHOULD join VFW.
1. Our aging veterans deserve our support. When I first visited VFW over two decades ago, there were several WW2 veterans around. Meeting one today is next to impossible and it is quickly becoming a reality for Korean War veterans, too.
Now our Vietnam-era brothers and sisters are getting up there in age. And they have fond memories of participating in events, community service activities, and hanging out with their battle buddies at their VFW.
But their numbers are dwindling and they're becoming less and less active at their VFWs. Some have unfortunately passed away, retired and moved south, or simply don't have the energy or drive to put in the work to keep their VFW successful. And most of them want nothing more than to pass the baton to the next generation and watch their sacred VFW flourish. That's where the Desert Storm and OIF/OEF generation comes in.
2. It's not a closed-off "old boys club." There's a preconceived notion that current VFW members don't want new guys “infiltrating” their VFW post. Although we can't say that never happens, the truth is that most VFWs struggle for members and would love to have a new veteran join the club.
Don’t expect cold shoulders or bad attitudes from current members if you join a VFW. Expect the opposite. The moment regular members see a new member walk into the post, their eyes light up and their hopes to see their post thrive are renewed.
A new member of the VFW and OIF veteran Kris Del Rosario (Army) told LET, “The older vets that keep these places going are getting less and less. New guys young/old can come in and be a big influence with what happens at the local VFW.”
3. It's a great way to bridge all community heroes. Our VFW recently connected with our local police department. Together we realized that we have common interests and shared goals: to help others within our military and law enforcement communities.
Mental health is a growing topic that is becoming less stigmatized in law enforcement. LEOs, first responders, and veterans/ servicemembers all deal with extreme scenarios that often lead to post-traumatic stress. And PTS can lead to a host of other personal problems, including suicide.
If you're a new LEO, ask an older officer if they know anyone who committed suicide. You may be surprised by the answer. Worse yet, there's a real chance that it's only a matter of time before you know someone yourself who lost their battle.
By joining VFW, we can all work together to help other heroes in countless ways.
4. A VFW is whatever you want it to be. There's another preconceived notion that VFWs are just bars for old vets. But the truth is a VFW is what you want it to be. The veteran members of any VFW dictate how the club is operated.
If you want your VFW to be a bigger resource to help veterans, a community-centered facility, or a physical location to hold fundraising events, then do it. The bottom line is that a VFW is what the members make of it.
“I was surprised to learn that the local VFW did more and plans to do more within the community. I thought it was just vets who show up and hang out at the bar really,” Del Rosario said.
5. It’s a great location to host police-related functions. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that everyone within the LEO community must stick together. LEOs often hang out with each other off-duty, whether after a shift for a drink or on a weekend day when the families get together.
Why not have those functions at a VFW? Most VFW posts have outdoor recreational facilities already equipped with picnic areas, BBQ stations, tables, gazebos, etc. And if you’re a VFW member of the post, expect to have the other members fully support an idea like this.
Our older veteran comrades want to see the next generation of veterans take the reigns and carry the torch for their VFW. Forget everything you thought you knew about VFWs and know that you are not only welcome, you are needed.
Remember our aging veterans fought for us, now let’s fight for them. God Bless America.
Visit the VFW website, https://www.vfw.org, for more information.
--
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and supply company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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