First let me say that this blog is not affiliated with any veterans’ service organizations. I am a life member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Disabled Veterans of America along with several other unit organizations. Like you, I’m disturbed by the number of phonies that we’ve uncovered in the leadership of some of these organizations, but I understand it. <\/p>\n
There was a time when I talked to veterans, I believed everything they told me, because I WANTED to believe that a veteran would never lie to another veteran. But those days have passed – I trust them up to a point. Yes, the VSOs should be checking these records more thoroughly, but they WANT to trust veterans to not lie to them. You know, the opposite of the Veterans’ Affairs folks who WANT you and expect you to lie.<\/p>\n
I am a little disturbed by those of you who declare that you won’t join these organizations because of the phonies. Actually, that’s more harmful than helpful. If the real veterans won’t join, the organizations will be run over by the phonies. <\/p>\n
In 2009, when the president decided that service-connected disabled veterans would buy their own insurance for their treatment, it was the American Legion, the VFW and the DAV that marched into the Oval Office and changed his mind. Last year, when the VA in Arizona couldn’t process appointments for sick and injured veterans fast enough, it was the American Legion that filled the breech and processed those appointments. <\/p>\n
When this administration wants to make the case for reducing your benefits, increasing your healthcare costs, alter your retirement benefits, its the VSOs who are your only voice in Congress to present your side of the story. They knock on doors in the Congressional offices and represent you in those hallways and cafeterias. They’re the only ones who will. <\/p>\n
Your motorcycle club, your rescue dogs, your charities won’t be there. Only the VSOs. The VSOs only have the weight of their membership numbers behind them to give them credibility in Congress and when they march into the White House. In effect, when you say you won’t join because of the phonies or because of the dimly-lit exclusive barrooms full of vets telling their war stories – well, that’s what the cost-cutters want. By you not participating in any manner, the folks who want to do away with the military win. They don’t want you to join the VSOs so their voice, and consequently yours, will fade into history.<\/p>\n
I figure that my membership in those organizations is the least I can do – the VSOs are becoming more skeptical about who they allow in – how many of you email me and say you never knew that the stolen valor problem was as wide spread as it is? Yeah, I didn’t either, and neither did the VSOs – but they’re coming around to it, and you can help them while you help yourselves along with the rest of the veteran community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"