What young vets want

VFW Magazine, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Kris Emmons, Dallas J. Matte, Carlo De Porto, Christine Brush

I am a 28-year-old Army Reserve vet of Iraq, returning from the Middle East this past May after 13 months. I recently became a VFW member so September was my first issue. I agree with your findings at the end of "Young Vets Voice Their Views on VFW's Future."

VFW has reached a unique turning point in its history and must confront and combat the stereotypical image that many, returning veterans today have of the organization.

Kris Emmons, Topeka, Kan.

The September issue was thrown in the trash. It was disgusting and insulting. Any veteran with the attitudes of these young vets is not welcome in our Post. Who in the hell do they think they are? What makes matters worse is that national headquarters allowed and condoned this trash to be printed. Wake up editors--or go find another job.

Dallas J. Matte Church Point, La.

Young veterans apparently believe all we do is sit around the Post bar and drink and tell war stories. Here is a list of the things my Post routinely sponsors: fund-raisers, hospital visits, Voice of Democracy/Patriot's Pen/Loyalty Day contests, school flag demonstrations, Buddy Poppy distributions and honor guard rituals.

Basically all Posts have the same functions. Our main concerns are the local community and hospitalized veterans.

Most of all, we are brothers-in-arms who display genuine comradeship.

Carlo De Porto, Gambrills, Md.

As a female Desert Storm veteran, I can say you missed another impression the VFW makes on younger members that it is a hopelessly misogynist ("hatred of women") organization! The young vets in your article are all men and everything is from the male point of view--nothing for women. Women vets have needs that men cannot even begin to understand. Prove me wrong--print this letter in

Mail Call and show that the VFW cares about women vets.

Christine Brush Rio Rancho, N.M.

Editors' Note:. Jada Bass, shown on p. 13 in September, is a woman veteran.