Reply #3: That is an interesting observation

[Lowell]

and I share your feelings about the two organizations. I'm a member of both the VFW and the American Legion. I always found it ironic that the Vets who saw combat, ie VFW, are more left leaning than the Legionnaires. The Legionnaires do not require a combat tour for membership and as a result many, if not most of them, do not share the combat experience. Yet they are the most right wing leaning bunch of the veteran's organizations. My VFW post is a hotbed of dissent and I love it. They've been there, done that and are not fooled by all the flag waving, saber rattling rhetorics of the AL.

At this time both organizations are in a fight for their very survival. Recruitment drives are fierce. The VFW has recently been giving free memberships to returning veterans. This is good because there is much that these organizations can do to help returning vets to get the benefits and help they need.