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VFW, Legion must modernize in order to thrive

As a people, we recognize that the world is constantly changing. We like to believe we can cope with, and benefit from, change.

The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other major organizations that represent veterans’ interests have moved mountains to help America’s veterans. But they seem mired in the distant past, hamstrung by customs, practices and rituals that don’t appeal to younger veterans.

Although the individuals in these organizations are wonderful, these groups display an institutional attitude toward women that is decades out of date. Many have a “ladies’ auxiliary,” even though both words are relics of the past, sometimes viewed by younger veterans as demeaning and obsolete.

The military, like much of America, has banned smoking in most buildings and discourages drinking, but the veterans’ groups haven’t followed suit.

Veterans’ meetings are filled with ritual, and not just the pledge of allegiance and opening prayer. Legionnaires recite the American Legion Creed, vowing to “combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses,” an expression that apparently dates to the “Red Scare” of 1919, when Americans feared the country might be taken over by Bolsheviks.

As their populations grow older and their ranks thinner, these organizations are having limited success attracting younger veterans, especially women and minorities. One veteran told me he didn’t want to “wear that funny hat.”

This is sad. These great organizations have been powerful allies for those who served in uniform and had a towering influence on our times. The Legion almost single-handedly persuaded Congress to enact the World War II GI Bill of Rights, which sent millions to school in the postwar era. Recently, veterans’ groups pressured lawmakers to provide better care and benefits for our combat wounded.

Most of the millions who belong to these veterans’ groups are good people. They support worthy causes and perpetuate the bond that links all who served. Many recognize that change is essential if their organizations are to continue doing their good works.

These organizations should drop any component that relates to gender. They must stop using the word “auxiliary,” which suggests a second-rate citizen who is an appendage to someone else.

These organizations must ban smoking indoors in their facilities and discourage drinking, even if it means giving up a source of income.

These organizations need to reconsider the way they hold meetings. Does prayer really belong in a gathering of veterans? Why?

The Legion, the VFW and other veterans’ groups need to fall into step or the rest of us will leave them behind.

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The writer, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va. He is co-author of “Hell Hawks,” a history of an American fighter group in World War II. His e-mail address is robert.f.dorr@cox.net.