http://vfw12062.org
Over 50% of the VFW Membership is over 70 years of age.
Without younger members, the major voice for the Military and Veterans on Capitol Hill and State Legislatures will become ineffective. ... and how many believe that our Government and our representatives will continue to support our Veterans and their families without those willing to promote our cause and secure the benefits and care needed by those who who are serving and who have served.
I am a National Recruiter for the VFW and hear too many times from the young Veterans and those in the Military, "I'm too busy and besides I've done my service for my Country."
I didn't know the warriors' creed expired. "I will never leave a comrade behind"
As a Vietnam Veteran, I already know what it's like to be damned by society and am glad that a few of those who already served stood up for me.

I am State Webmaster for the Idaho VFW and added your Forum link to our site. I am also adding a link and some of the intro information you provided to my News page http://vfwid.org You, like my son, fall into the new age of Veteran in that you get most of your info from the computer instead of snail mail and magazines. I have been trying to find a decent 'forum' or 'blog' that members and their families can use so they are not 'ignorant' on Veteran issues.
I remember too well what it was like dealing not only with the VA on getting medical treatment (mental was out of the question!) in 1970 after being 'talked out of' a medical discharge in favor of Honorable (because I was so close to ETS). I also faced local Veteran Organizations that shared the same opinion of the 'nam vet as the general public (druggies, baby killers, poor white trash, dummies, etc.). I was under the mis-assumption that the VA would treat me properly and provide at least the care for my service connected disabilities. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the 'Veterans Administration' would deny Malaria, Encephalitis, Shrapnel and bullet wounds, and Hearing Loss as non-service connected - but they did! If not for a Flashback, ambulance bill, and a non VA Service Officer (DAV/VFW) who cared, I'd still be 0%.
11 years after my ETS, the VA finally provided me with Service connection and a disability rating. I am a life member of VFW, DAV and MOPH; I also belong to AL and a few other organizations but when it comes to 'politics' and making the legislatures aware of Veterans' and Military issues, the VFW puts its money and mouth where it gets action (it is in the top 10 rated spending for all PACs and Special Interest groups - no other Veterans Organization is in the top 100) and is the leader and spokesman for the other organizations dealing with the Military or Veteran's Issues.
That is just one aspect of the VFW and considered 3rd of 4 in its mission statement, 1st is Veteran Service - taking care of those who have borne the battle and their families; especially widows and orphans.
2nd is Community Service
3rd is Legislative
4th is Education - Patriotism and Americanism

Each of the Veteran Organizations has a place and criteria for membership. I recommend belonging to at least 2 if qualified - VFW and AL; contrary to what many believe, it is possible to belong to the VFW and not AL (i.e. all those who have served in Korea). I also promote belonging to a 'local Post' although not necessarily one in your geographical location. You want to find one that is closer to your interests and needs. I began the John Ogburn III Post 12062 just over one year ago. It was the first to be dedicated to the memory of a 21st Century Soldier (John was killed in Iraq in 2005) and is the only Post within (at least) 100 miles that 'caters' to our active duty and National Guard. Of our 84 present members only 9 are over 50 - we range from 18 to 89.
Membership in any VFW Post that accepts you gives you all the rights and privileges at any other VFW Post except Voting. My membership includes members from all over the US as well as some overseas, many have never been to Idaho and some may never visit but they belong to our Post and are a part in our activities. Their membership also gives us a bigger voice in District, Department, and National issues.
Dues vary from Post to Post but all must at least cover National Dues $18 and District assessments - Post 12062 dues are presently $20.00 per year but we push for life memberships as it provides the Post additional funds (All our share of dues goes to helping pay Dues for our financially strapped members).

I have rarely seen a Post refuse volunteer help for any of their projects or programs. Time, Money, and Promotion of Patriotism are what all Veterans Organizations need. If you can be of help in any of the Post programs it is appreciated.

Take Care and thank you for your Service!
Tim

We Have Their Back! -
I Pray for and Support Our Troops
http://vfw12062.org

So why join first let's talk about why not join. 

1. For me it is the attitude, I am a Cold War Veteran but the VFW does not recognize my service during the cold war.  I served  a tour in Iraq (After I retired) and am now eligible to join the VFW but but decades of insult are not easy to forget.

2. I have been having problems with the VA and supposedly the VFW is my representative, so I figure well let bygones by bygones and give the VFW another chance to make up for the years of insult.  So I spend a couple of days going around in circles only to get referred back to the exact same guy who gave me the bad advice in the first place when I was looking for a second opinion on how to deal with the VA.

3. The VFW is now mostly old timers, well who's fault is that?  You could have had me as a member back in the 1970s but no, all I got was the finger.

Why join?  I can not think of a good reason.