12 years ago, I was discharged from the military. Among the first things that I did was to join a local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) outpost. The older fellows there (WWI, WWII and Korean era) welcomed me unconditionally. However, there were very few Vietnam era veterans there. Those that were there kept to themselves… Not one of them even offered me a handshake in friendship. I didn’t last long at my local chapter of the VFW. I shrugged that off and headed over to the American Legion. Same treatment. Welcomed by the old guys, shunned by the middle-aged guys. Being among the first of the returning wave of “new veterans,” I’m sure that scene repeated itself across the country and still is today.
In the 1970’s, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) was formed to represent the interests of Vietnam era veterans. The belief was generally held, at that time, that the traditional veterans groups (VFW, American Legion, etc…) did not represent the needs and issues that are unique to Vietnam era veterans. The VVA now represents over 50,000 members in 525 chapters in the U.S. I’m sure that the returning veterans of the Vietnam war felt much the same as I did. 20 years earlier, they stood in the same place as I did, among veterans from another generation, not feeling very welcome.
Now, the ranks of the WWI generation of veterans has nearly all died. The WWII era veterans are dying at an increasing rate. The Vietnam veterans now all but control not only the VFW but, also the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. With the VVA, they also have an exclusionary group dedicated to their needs. Now, Vietnam era veterans nearly all but represent the entirety of most veterans groups, advocacy, and information.
I think that it is time for the “new veterans,” veterans discharged from between 1980 and present to organize their own group as well. I fear that the current Vietnam focused veterans groups have exhibited the same behavior that they experienced in the past. The same behavior that caused so much resentment that they formed their own groups. Much of this is understandable, veterans groups are largely social organizations based upon common characteristics. I did not fight along side these men. I did not live through the same struggles and have the same problems as these men. I cannot reminisce about experiences I did not have. I can listen and learn from their stories but, that isn’t enough either. This is the primary reason for the need for a “new veterans” organization. Perhaps there are some, if so, let me know. There are a lot of veterans groups but, most are focused. Veterans For Peace interests me most currently, even though peace is not very popular right now.
I was hopeful that my feelings and experiences were unique. I held the hope that the “new veterans” have not been shunned and made to feel as if an unwelcomed outsider, as I was. From the personal discussions and non-scientific surveys that I have conducted, I can say that I am not alone in my feelings.