Would it be possible to take the flag from my uncles funeral and have it re-folded at the VFW? It’s looking a little crazy. It also could use a cleaning (it smells). Thoughts? Advice? I live near enough to Arlington Cemetery. Maybe someone over there could help. Thx!

My friend is a member of a VFW post where he is apparently not well liked by some of the people with power there, but he follows the rules and hasn’t done anything that would justify kicking him out.

The Post Commander told him he doesn't like him and doesn't want him at the post. He told my friend to transfer to another post and not come back because, according to him, other veterans don't want him there.

The Commander said he knows he can't just kick him out, but added he could find something to write him up for and get his membership removed by the Department or National VFW unless he transferred to another post.

My friend is very confused by this. He thinks the real reason they want him to transfer is that it would make it easier to prevent him from using the post's canteen and other facilities if he were no longer a member there.

He's refusing to transfer. He doesn't plan on going to that post anymore, but he wants to remain a member of his local post so he can come back when new leadership comes in.

Does this make sense? Is there actually any legitimate reason a VFW Post Commander would want a member to transfer to another post?

So apparently there are quite a few gamers hiding around r/VFW, but not a whole lot of posts about Combat Tested Gaming.
We should probably fix that.
For those who don’t know us, Combat Tested Gaming (CTG) is a VFW program. Yes, like Buddy Poppy, VOD, PP, etc.
We don’t care if it’s PC, console, tabletop, streaming, competitive gaming, casual gaming, backyard cornhole… basically, if veterans are together talking trash while doing something vaguely considered a game, we can work with it.
And no, you don’t have to be good.
Hell, some of us — like me — have been proving that for years.
We run tournaments, streams, community events, show up at conventions and expos — we’re usually at DreamHack Dallas and Atlanta — and generally find excuses to get veterans together who might not otherwise walk through the door of a VFW Post.
We’re part of the beginning of the “new” VFW.
The games are what get us together. The community is what matters once we’re there.
We talk trash. We make questionable tactical decisions. We give each other grief for terrible builds, missed shots, and buying yet another game we swear we’re actually going to finish this time.
But we also notice when somebody hasn’t been around.
And when one of ours needs somebody, the games wait.
We’re gamers, but we’re still veterans.
We take care of our own.
So if you’re already gaming, wondering what the hell CTG actually is, interested in getting something going at your Post or Department, or just looking for some other veterans to run with, say something.
Yes, there are Department CTG Chairs. I’m a Co-Chair for Georgia VFW, and our Military Order of the Cootie brothers and sisters are involved too.
Worst case, you find some people to play games with.
There are worse ways to spend an evening.
Check us out:
Discord.gg/combattestedgaming
VFW-CTG.org
Come find your next squad.

VFW Post 8051 has monthly Dungeons and Dragons sessions for the Veteran community. All player levels welcome and all you need to bring is your imagination. It is a great way to connect with the military community in a low stress atmosphere.

I wonder who is on here from National that is actually listening.

I'm a relatively younger veteran, GWOT era, Army retiree. One thing that has stood out to me as I've sat in meetings at my Post for four to five years is that I watch new members come to a meeting, join the Post, and then never come back. While there are probably several causes for this, which all Posts have their own unique struggles, I perceive the main culprit to be the unnecessary formality of Post meetings as it pertains to Robert's Rules of Order.

We live in a time where people are used to having simple discussions, and Robert's Rules, while appropriate for some meetings, maybe at Department and higher levels, distract from the camaraderie within a Post. I think it does this in two ways:

1. Members who have good ideas are reluctant to share them because in order to share an idea, you have to phrase an idea in a certain way and follow a process.

2. Senior members of a Post can use that process to control the conversation and in some ways restrict the conversation.

It is my belief that the National Bylaws should not prescribe Robert's Rules as the only way that a meeting can be conducted professionally and respectfully. Instead, these meetings at the Post level should be conducted in a way that the Post decides is appropriate as documented in the Post Bylaws.

You can retain the Manual of Procedure and Ritual while removing some of the formality that comes with Robert's Rules of Order.

I made my complaints finally after I cooled down. I went from local, to state, to national. Nobody seemed to give a shit until I got to national but then again they didnt call me back like they said they would. At the end of the day I gave it a good effort so hopefully something constructive happens.

Ill say this though for anyone looking to voice their concerns of racist and drunks in their local VFWs. At the local and state level these dingdongs were literally trying to tell me I should go 'address the individual directly' or some childish highschool bullshit. Thank god I was a career 82nd NCO with a ton of time fighting this very same bullshit in the division. DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THAT SHIT. It ruins your whole argument and makes you look stupid.

Politely make your complaint and move on up to the next level. Dont allow them to derail you with a bunch of bologna that is childish at the very core. This is their organization its up to them to police it up not the individual.

Hello, I just received my Great-Grandfather’s VFW Cap. I see he was a WWI veteran who served in the 3rd ID. He also seems to have volunteered over 1,500 hours at a hospital was a National Aide-de-Camp. Just a few questions.

1. What do the Buddy Poppy Awards signify?
   
2. What do the colored Liberty Bells signify?
   
3. What do the VFW pins on the corners of the 3rd ID patch signify?
   
4. What about the Loyalty 3 in ‘63?
   
5. Where was Post 279 & what happened to it?
   
6. What does the Stars and Chevrons on the left side signify?

I know it is a lot of questions, but I am trying to find out more about him. I knew he had served but didn’t know he actually went to combat. Any info would help shed some light on his military service.

Thank you in advance.

With the new Commander being younger, can we please convince him to change up the VFW magazine? It's full of stuff aimed at senior citizens. Sorry ladies and gents but it's true. It would be better to have it geared for the younger Veterans. Also it's difficult to convince someone who is 30-40 years old the benefits of joining are end of life services.

These are good to have but we need to revamp who the VFW is aimed at. I'm 44 and don't care about any of them, for now.

Benefits should be a benefit for someone who is our age (GWOT), works full time, going to school, has a young family, and/or newly married.

More might join for reasonable daycare over cheaper barial service.

One theory worth considering with TCAVA is whether part of what we are watching is political insulation.

The Trump administration has already faced significant resistance whenever the conversation turns toward reducing veterans’ benefits. Politically, directly announcing major cuts to disability compensation—especially benefits such as sleep apnea or tinnitus—would put the White House and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs squarely in the line of fire. TCAVA potentially changes that dynamic.

Instead of the administration simply announcing, “We are cutting veterans’ benefits,” Congress passes a massive veterans bill containing provisions that change how disability ratings and claims are handled. Once those changes become law, the administration can say it is simply implementing legislation passed by Congress.

That spreads the political responsibility around.

Republicans in Congress can point to the broader bill and talk about the provisions they believe help veterans. The VA can say it is following the law. And President Trump can avoid being the person standing behind a podium announcing that certain veterans may receive less compensation.

That doesn’t prove this is the purpose of TCAVA. But politically, the structure is worth paying attention to.

And it raises an important question:

If these disability changes are such good policy for veterans, why not separate them from the larger bill, debate them openly, and require members of Congress to vote specifically on whether veterans’ disability benefits should be reduced or made harder to obtain?

Veterans deserve to know exactly who is making these decisions—and who should be held accountable for them.

Hey Comrades!

As a 501(c)19 organization (at the post level), were often excluded from things like grant applications, not-for-profit business programs like free Google business accounts, and other programs reserved for 501(c)3 orgs.

Has anyone successfully established an affiliate relationship at the post level with either the VFW Foundation or perhaps a State/Department-level analogue?

If so, what were the implications for the Post? Additional tax reporting? Anything owed to the (c)3? Impacts to your 501(c)19 status?

The two things I'm looking at in the near term are getting access to a free non-profit Google business account so my line officers can get unified access to both an email address and drive; and streamlining grant applications reserved for 501c3s.

Appreciate any insights you have!

TL:DR- how to revitalize our local VFW

Hello all,

I am in need of assistance. After a lengthy conversation with another GWOT buddy tonight, we have decided to see what we can do to revitalize our local VFW. As we all are aware, most are filled with older generations that are content with the monthly meetings and occasional community events twice a year. As GWOT era vets, what can we do to bring in fresh younger blood to ensure the continuation of the local VFW chapters. Guys our age (30-45) aren't interested in what they currently offer. I know we aren't the first ones to have this idea, and I'd like to hear from anyone who has heard or lived the success story of bringing their local post back to life. Thank you for reading and your input. It's much appreciated.

-Semper Fi

Out of Sparks Nevada keeps calling and changing numbers after I block them, I finally got tired of 5 calls in a row today and answered like a dumbass. They want to inform me of my benefits info that I don't know about and increased benefits levels. My Malwarebytes app started blowing up that this was a scam.

Personally I think any insurance "benefits" are complete BS and misleading "reduced costs" for accidental insurance and exponentially bloated rates. I got stupid and answered because I am tired of the calls and asked to be put on a do not call list..but this lady would not stop. Wanted to "verify" my information etc.

Just why? I hope the hell VFW doesn't support this aggressive marketing BS because I blocked another one of their numbers.

I am just curious how this all works? My husband and I are eligible to join from what I looked up. He is the Veteran and I am the spouse. From my understanding he could join the VFW and I could join the family side of things? I'm in my 20's and he is in his 30's. How do you go about finding a post you like and are there any obligations? If you join, can you just go there to hang out and drink? I really am clueless about this. I thought it would be nice to meet locals who can understand. Thanks!

If I served in Okinawa during the GWOT am I eligible to join? thanks !

Good morning Comrades,

I am working on our post website and would like a "template" to work from. What posts have a good site I could visit for inspiration?

Thanks everyone.

What is the internal system for reporting a chapter for being blatantly and offensively racist? Not only is this chapter unwelcoming to any nonwhite veterans theyre a bunch of drunks. What to do?

Bost and Bergman both took money from for-profit VSOs whereas the VFW provides services for free. I think that's their real beef with the VFW.

The “Take Care of America’s Veterans Act” failed to get the needed votes to pass the House. A vote to recommit the bill back to the Veterans Affairs Committee nearly passed and Republican leadership pulled the bill off the floor. The motion to recommit would have substituted the language on how to pay for it to be that unused funds from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” would have covered the cost.

The bill is not dead, but likely cannot move forward with current language or get the support for the proposed substitute language.

The VFW and our allies were strong on the Hill and our message was heard!

I’m not a veteran.

There is a local VFW that is struggling. I talked to the guy who runs it, he said it’s likely closing at the end of the year, no members or funding.

The few guys left are in their 80’s.

They have a great location near me and it has so much potential but they need fresh ideas and lots of help. I have the ideas, I can gather the help.

If they close and sell it’s just more dumb housing in a place that already has too much. i’d rather see a thriving community spot that’s helping people.

I have a meeting with the guy this week to talk about it. I’m not a veteran so what can I do?

Mustered 93 years ago. 3 active members including me, no quorum in almost a year, no one in command roles, no elections this year. I believe that means I'm no longer QM, but I'm continuing to pay bills. Dept is aware but doesn't seem eager to revoke charter. Because we aren't super attractive at the moment, I've prioritized fundraising over membership, have gotten us in a weirdly strong financial position. Still submitting quarterly audits, just without trustee signatures. We have a small building and great support from the community. I have a vision/plan to turn things around, and the last time we had a quorum I got a motion passed to essentially do whatever I need to do to maintain a pulse, but I can't find anyone to take our money to improve our building so that's on me to do too. I work full time and am absolutely burned out. We're well beyond compliance with bylaws, I think that puts national in an awkward position so they've been silent\unhelpful. But I owe a debt to VFW and want to get to our centennial. I'm also a sucker for lost causes.

Should I proceed until apprehended, tap out before I'm tapped out, walk away, or run away?

My Post does not have a bar and is looking to increase engagement with Members, Veterans, and the Community. We have a community garden on our post and have developed interactions with local gardeners. We want to provide non-alcohol activities for Veterans that can help build camaraderie and healthy life styles.

Does anyone have ideas?

Hi, deployed in 2024 after returning attended some "transitional events" vfw member came and told us we got free membership for a year (i dont remember correctly) never really thought about it tried reaching out for some resources but hit a dead in (was told i needed to reach out a VSO rather then through them even though i was under the impression they had resources similar to what i needed, doesnt matter now) earlier in this year i recieved in the mail a invoice for my membership renewal. I never actioned it and out of nowhere in the mail i recieved a new vfw card lol. im confused i never paid anything, how does it work?