There is no doubt about the power of social media, although this perceived power can be used both ways – positive and otherwise. Traditional veterans groups are among those who are using social media for a positive purpose, as they try to harness its strengths to attract younger veterans.
A feature on the Military Times shared that several veterans groups have turned to Facebook and Twitter, opening up accounts in an attempt to reach out to an estimated 4.3 million veterans who have served in the military since the Gulf War. Some of them have also written blogs, in an effort to turn declining membership levels around.
Declining membership, and its consequent decline in dues, has reportedly resulted in the closure of several social clubs around the country, previously operated by groups such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Membership in traditional veterans groups usually consist of those who served during the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. All over America, an estimated 1,650 veterans of these wars pass away everyday.
Still, the more traditional vets groups – those founded before the 90s – are finding it difficult to keep up with the newer groups, such as the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), when it came to the social media game. IAVA spokeswoman Chrissy Stevens shared: “Facebook is the Veterans of Foreign Wars (meeting) hall of the future.” IAVA has around 80,000 veterans members and 169,000 supporters on Facebook. Veterans at local posts now favor online chatting as a means to reconnect, as opposed to face-to-face conversation.
June 30th, 2011 - 12:13 pm
While we have lost the vast majority of the WWII Vets (the average age of the remaining WWII Vet is 85 years old) and the average age of the Korean War and Vietnam Vets is not far behind, it is these new veterans that we need to reach out to. Research has shown that the average age that a Vet will start to get “involved” at, is 45. This is due in large part to other factors such as careers and families. It is not until about age 45 that the average Vet has the “extra” or “dicretionary” time to offer. It is for this reason that more and more duties and responsibilities are falling on the few motivated individuals that are always there to see that things are takin care of. And it is for these reason that these few individuals need to be recognized and appreciated. But we can appeal to the yoiunger vets to help out by simply joining. There is strength in numbers and the few dollars that trickle down to us from their dues can be very helpful. By trying to appeal to their sense of duty, commitment and comraderie, we are going up against their families, and we cannot and should not win out. I think it is all about how we approach this new situation, and I feel that using this new confangled thing with its tweets, faceholes, and whatever the hell else it has to offer, can only help us in our mission to service our brothers and sisters.
July 1st, 2011 - 2:26 pm
The VFW and the American Legion will never admit how badly they treated returning Vietnam veterans in the 70′s. They can never be forgiven for it was disgraceful that Veterans would ever treat other veterans so bad.
This clearly was the starting point of their decline. To this day, 45 years later I still will not step into one of their posts. It also was the reason that the veterans formed so many of their own groups, VVA, KWV, AmVets and so on. And so many still belong to nothing still in fear of being called names, treats, rejection or worse.
Now I hear even newer groups may be starting for the current conflicts and who can blame them? When the last VFW and American Legion closes their doors, maybe then we can start all over.
Until the start of the Amvets, not every veteran who served could even apply of membership in those posts. You had to have been in a certain area at a certain time or simply in during certain periods. Not all veterans can say that and those requirements fractured our veteran brotherhood. No other county allows that.
No veteran that I know when in the service knowing there would not be a war or a confilt was they were in, yet that simple fact limits their choice of membership.
When that ends the healing can begin.