Veterans groups fighting to not to fade away
They have served the nation whenever the call was made, and when they returned home, found solace in joining with their comrades in arms at the local veterans club.
While at one time the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Posts and AMVETS organizations were thriving, many are now on the brink of closure, according to officials.
“It’s bad,” said Russ Miller, commander of the Milton L. Bishop American Legion Post 301 in Connellsville. “We’re losing members; the young guys are not joining and the economy is starting to really impact us. There was a night last week, the bar only took in $30 and that’s not enough to pay the bartender’s wages for the night.”
Post 301 has existed since the end of World War I. One of its members, Max C. Floto, made a motion before the organization in 1919 to make Nov. 11 a holiday and to be known as Armistice Day in recognition of the signing of the agreement a year earlier.
After receiving rousing support from his fellow soldiers and members of the post, he and Thom Scott, another veteran, successfully petitioned the first-ever American Legion state convention in Harrisburg to adopt the measure.
The next step for Floto was the state Legislature. He was again victorious in his efforts, as on March 31, 1921, it was approved.
For the next 17 years, Floto worked with Congress to have Armistice Day declared a national holiday. On May 13, 1938, the resolution was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor those who had served in subsequent wars.
Floto was called into action again in 1971 when Congress voted to move the holiday to October. It was returned to Nov. 11 in 1975.
Floto was later recognized as the “Father of Armistice Day.” He died in January 1985.
Through the course of time, World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans eventually added their names to the membership rolls of service organizations, said Miller. With the deaths of the older vets or their inability to take part in regular activities, the list has now precariously dwindled to very few active members.
Today, 183 names are on the rolls at Post 301, with only about 60 who participate regularly in post activities.
“We’re really hurting and there are very few options,” he said.
The Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans have yet to sign on with the organization, but that comes as no surprise to Miller as he, too, was not eager to join after returning from the Vietnam War.
“It took me awhile,” he said.
The organization is very active in Connellsville with its participation in activities and support of other groups that help veterans. Also, it sponsors a baseball team and routinely takes part in funerals for area veterans.
“All that goes away if we can’t keep our doors open,” said Miller. “We’re trying, but it is getting harder and harder to meet our obligations.”
Alan Ryan, commander of VFW Post 7219 in Fairchance, attributes the absence of new members to an unwarranted reputation of being a “bar” rather than as a service organization and gathering place for veterans, their families and the community at-large.
“We’re not able to get the younger guys to join,” said Ryan, adding that membership numbers translate into more powerful lobbying action at the state and federal levels for veterans. “Our voice is greater when we have greater numbers.”
Like other veterans groups, VFW Post 7219 had a long membership list, but has over the past decade seen the passing of its WWII and Korean War veterans.
Ryan, 58, a Vietnam-era veteran who served in Beirut, Lebanon, and South America, is the youngest of those attending regular meetings, he said.
“We have a serious problem and it is happening in every post,” said Ryan.
The aging of the organization also has impacted its ladies auxiliary that, when active, raised money and managed activities. The auxiliary has been deactivated.
The solution, said Ryan, is to communicate to the returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans that the post and its members are there to help them readjust to civilian life, apply for benefits or to listen, when needed.
“We’re definitely community-oriented,” he said. “We have an open line of communication with the area personal care and nursing homes that we’re here should any of the veterans (in the homes) need anything; we take hams and turkeys to them during the holidays and try to do what we can.”