The VFW Remembers.

[VermontKevin]

“On behalf of the near 1.7 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Auxiliary, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of Heather Heyer, Virginia State Police Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper Berke M.M. Bates, and almost two dozen others who were injured Saturday when white nationalists clashed with counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Va. There is no reason or excuse great enough to justify violence against others just because you disagree with their ideology, backgrounds, religious beliefs or ethnicities. Individuals and organizations who wave Nazi flags, and who use the First Amendment as both shield and sword, must be rooted out of our society and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for fueling hate. There is no place in any civilized society for their ilk.” — VFW National Commander Keith Harman

https://www.vfw.org/news-and-publications/press-room/archives/2017/8/vfw-statement-on-charlottesville

Let's hope they remember this come election time.

[Wounded Bear]

1. Not a member, was never impressed with the organization...

Nice blurb, of course. Says all the right words. But I suspect their membership went full on Trump in '16, and will still vote Repub in '18.

[hlthe2b]

2. My Dad (WWII generation) had issues with either the VFW or American Legion, though

he'd belonged to both during some periods of his life. I can't remember which, but I thought it was the AL that he felt had betrayed WWII vets.

Can you comment on the history (besides the fact they have both sold out to RETHUGS in recent years)?

[Wounded Bear]

3. I don't really have a history...

I do remember them being at the door of a grocery store recruiting. Rather distasteful. From what I've heard, they are mostly drinking clubs where a bunch of Archie Bunker types sit around drinking and whining.

[James48]

4. Life member, American Legion.

It's not a drinking club.
I don't know any who are Archie Bunkers.

Those who are Legion members served honorably around the world, and hold American values.

And we are all disgusted with those who abuse our Constitution, those who hold repugnant White Supremecy views, and those who would piss on our national identity. We are all Americans- white, brown, black, yellow, red. We all bleed the same red blood when wounded. We all are brothers in arms.

[progressoid]

8. My Father is also a member.

He joined when he retired from teaching. The town my parents live in is about 80% Republican, so most of the members in his post are polite versions of Archie Bunker. They usually get along but he often has to calmly correct their many misconceptions about Democrats and the world at large.

edited to add: my parents are life-long Democrats!

[Augiedog]

5. Vietnam vet here. VFW is just another right wing republican shill organization like the NRA

[pansypoo53219]

6. my great-uncle was a WW2 vet. he would play sheepshead at the VFW.

when i had the chance i would drive my grandma out to see her sister and i would go and play sheeps(german card game) w/ gathered elderly women & men. only played W/ him once tho. i had a very nice time chatting w/ the WW2 vets & the wives or assorted older women. played for nickels.

[nini]

7. The VFW in my home town isn't right wing

But then it's in a union heavy diverse area too. My dad and uncle were both commanders back in the day.

I'm glad they spoke up even though it could have gone for the jugular at bit more forcefully.

[IronLionZion]

9. They also condemned Trump's attacks on gold star families and POWs

I would imagine like any organization the members and local chapters might have different ideas. A more liberal or diverse city might have more liberal members in their local chapter.

Plenty of liberals and minorities served.

[Honeycombe8]

10. Well, I'm impressed. People looking for guidance among our leaders. They have not disappointed....

except for you-know-who.

[UTUSN]

11. They loves'em their ChickenHawks: Here giving O'LOOFAH their Errect Loofah Award:

ON EDIT: Whoops, forgot that PhotoBucket became a Pay deal, so all my saved thingies are gone!1



I figured out that my local post was a Sgt. BILKO type cash box for the benefit of the Lifers in charge. They once explained their wingnuttiness as, "We tend to do better (in gov't benefits) under (Repukes)," which is not true.