By Jon R. Anderson
Army Times
Lightning arcs across in the sky in rapid-fire bursts of light and thunder. The first fat drops of rain are pounding down as dozens of combat veterans file into a rough-around-the-edges, turn-of-the-century warehouse building. It's the second Thursday night of the month in Denver's edgy Santa Fe Drive arts district. As the galleries, shops and studios close up for the evening, the war fighters are gathering.
A storm is coming, but these vets have weathered far worse.
Welcome to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1. Formed in 1899, predating even the VFW itself, Post 1 is the oldest regular gathering of combat veterans in the country.
It was also nearly one of the VFW's most recent casualties, part of a nationwide membership bleed-out that top leaders are struggling to staunch. But now, the first VFW post in the country is also in the vanguard of a radical rethinking of the organization — and what local chapters have to offer veterans.
This is their story.
Inside Post 1's walls, the veterans mingle.
Some are hunched over with age and memories that range back to fighting Nazis in Europe and to beach landings in the Pacific. Others are only a few weeks removed from the ongoing war in Afghanistan.
Just about every combat zone in the 70 years in between also is represented — from the big fights in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East to the smaller skirmishes in Panama, Somalia, the Balkans and elsewhere.
For most VFW posts, that kind of diversity is unusual. But for Post 1, that's not the half of it.
"This VFW is ridiculously diverse. It's what VFW should be," says Army Reserve veteran Marla Keown, who drove trucks in Iraq. "We've got super old people, super young people, people of all colors, nations and races, sexual identities. We marched in the Pride Parade last year. What VFW post does that?"
Not the post she first tried to join.
"When I first got back from Iraq, I tried to join a post in Kansas. It was old dudes sitting at a bar drinking alone. It just wasn't fun. I could do that at my own house. So, yeah, nothing ever really came of it. But this place? This place is f---ing awesome."
It's certainly different. For better or worse, most VFW posts are known for their bars, dubbed canteens by the old-timers. Of the thousands of posts across the country, Post 1 is among the few without a bar.
Instead, these veterans are gathering inside the post's veteran-run art gallery. The whitewashed walls display photos, paintings and other works created mostly by members.
One of them is Jim Stevens, a legally blind Vietnam veteran who commands a section of the gallery with his innovative portraits painted across hundreds of fishing-line monofilament threads drawn taut inside a glass case. The holographic-like work recently earned two first-place ribbons at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, edging out more than 3,300 other artists.
The meeting is about to begin.
A storm is coming, but these vets have weathered far worse.
Welcome to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1. Formed in 1899, predating even the VFW itself, Post 1 is the oldest regular gathering of combat veterans in the country.
It was also nearly one of the VFW's most recent casualties, part of a nationwide membership bleed-out that top leaders are struggling to staunch. But now, the first VFW post in the country is also in the vanguard of a radical rethinking of the organization — and what local chapters have to offer veterans.This is their story.
Inside Post 1's walls, the veterans mingle.
Some are hunched over with age and memories that range back to fighting Nazis in Europe and to beach landings in the Pacific. Others are only a few weeks removed from the ongoing war in Afghanistan.
Just about every combat zone in the 70 years in between also is represented — from the big fights in Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East to the smaller skirmishes in Panama, Somalia, the Balkans and elsewhere.
For most VFW posts, that kind of diversity is unusual. But for Post 1, that's not the half of it.
"This VFW is ridiculously diverse. It's what VFW should be," says Army Reserve veteran Marla Keown, who drove trucks in Iraq. "We've got super old people, super young people, people of all colors, nations and races, sexual identities. We marched in the Pride Parade last year. What VFW post does that?"
Not the post she first tried to join.
"When I first got back from Iraq, I tried to join a post in Kansas. It was old dudes sitting at a bar drinking alone. It just wasn't fun. I could do that at my own house. So, yeah, nothing ever really came of it. But this place? This place is f---ing awesome."
It's certainly different. For better or worse, most VFW posts are known for their bars, dubbed canteens by the old-timers. Of the thousands of posts across the country, Post 1 is among the few without a bar.
Instead, these veterans are gathering inside the post's veteran-run art gallery. The whitewashed walls display photos, paintings and other works created mostly by members.
One of them is Jim Stevens, a legally blind Vietnam veteran who commands a section of the gallery with his innovative portraits painted across hundreds of fishing-line monofilament threads drawn taut inside a glass case. The holographic-like work recently earned two first-place ribbons at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, edging out more than 3,300 other artists.
The meeting is about to begin.
Navy veteran and post commander Michael Mitchel is at the podium. After a few informal announcements and introductions, it's time to get down to business. Mitchel cracks a big gavel twice, and everyone stands.
An opening prayer is followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Comrades, we are assembled again to transact business of mutual benefit," Mitchel says. "Do not let petty jealousies or trivial personalities influence our deliberation."
Post commanders have used those words to open VFW meetings for decades. But perhaps at no time in the organization's 101-year history have they been more important to heed.
Not all veterans can join the VFW. To be eligible, you must have received a campaign medal for overseas service; served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or received hostile fire or imminent danger pay at any point in your military career.
Against the backdrop of those eligibility restrictions, the organization is dying.
An opening prayer is followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Comrades, we are assembled again to transact business of mutual benefit," Mitchel says. "Do not let petty jealousies or trivial personalities influence our deliberation."
Post commanders have used those words to open VFW meetings for decades. But perhaps at no time in the organization's 101-year history have they been more important to heed.
Not all veterans can join the VFW. To be eligible, you must have received a campaign medal for overseas service; served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or received hostile fire or imminent danger pay at any point in your military career.
Against the backdrop of those eligibility restrictions, the organization is dying.
(Some of the complaints sound awfully familiar to Post 2035).
Ask veterans from the most recent conflicts about the VFW, and some common themes emerge. Many say the VFW all too often is:
Not focused on the needs of younger vets.
Dismissive of female veterans.
Resistant to changing times.
Curtis Bean, who served as an Army scout and sniper through two tours in Iraq, never had the slightest interest in joining the VFW after leaving the military in 2008.
Struggling with post-traumatic stress and seeking a good career fit, Bean says the organization had little to offer. Local posts seemed closed off or worse.
"At most VFWs, you don't feel welcome at all. It's just old guys drinking at their bar, and everyone is looking at you like you don't belong," he says.
"When I came home from Iraq the second time, my family rented out the VFW hall for a welcome home party. It wasn't a positive experience at all. They just made everything hard. Who wants to be part of that?"
For Army intelligence analyst Brittany Bartges, who recently graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver, joining the VFW was one of the first things she did when she returned from her deployment to Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division.
"Even if you don't know much about VFW, you know VFW," she says. "To me, it just seemed like a cool thing to be part of. It was like something I'd earned."
The local post she tried to join, however, did not think much of her.
Ask veterans from the most recent conflicts about the VFW, and some common themes emerge. Many say the VFW all too often is:
Not focused on the needs of younger vets.
Dismissive of female veterans.
Resistant to changing times.
Curtis Bean, who served as an Army scout and sniper through two tours in Iraq, never had the slightest interest in joining the VFW after leaving the military in 2008.
Struggling with post-traumatic stress and seeking a good career fit, Bean says the organization had little to offer. Local posts seemed closed off or worse.
"At most VFWs, you don't feel welcome at all. It's just old guys drinking at their bar, and everyone is looking at you like you don't belong," he says.
"When I came home from Iraq the second time, my family rented out the VFW hall for a welcome home party. It wasn't a positive experience at all. They just made everything hard. Who wants to be part of that?"
For Army intelligence analyst Brittany Bartges, who recently graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver, joining the VFW was one of the first things she did when she returned from her deployment to Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division.
"Even if you don't know much about VFW, you know VFW," she says. "To me, it just seemed like a cool thing to be part of. It was like something I'd earned."
The local post she tried to join, however, did not think much of her.
For rest of article, click on link: http://www.militarytimes.com/longform/veterans/best-for-vets/2015/07/27/vision-new-vfw-story-denvers-post-1/30459475/
8 comments:
still, Luis Lucio should resign and pay back the money he took. What a freakin' loser that guy must be. Falso ribbons on his chest and abusing the VFW's cash! Mamon! Pendejo! Pinche Mexican sin culo!!!
Brownsville VFW puros pinches viejillos panochones, strating with Louie Lucio.El PANOCHON MAYOR.
Get rid of the bad Mexicans and fly the American flag on the property! These guys are a disgrace to the U.S. Fucking leeches and goddamned losers. You don't wear ribbons you didn't earn, you pigfuckers!
Just because somebody served in the armed forces during time of war, does not mean they are heroes, served with distinction or worthy of honor. In our national spate of guilt about how badly Vietnam Vets were treated, we bend over backwards to try and honor many folks not deserving of it.
The VFW, like many groups, that have been around for several generations has lost it reason to exist and has degenerated to a bunch of beer swilling loosers. They have no interest in being what they were organized to be. They squabble, fight, hiss and spit at each other over meaningless things.
All they did at post 2410 was fight and bitch at each other. Bunch of old tired out people who have nothing to live for, but drink beer and eat.
And figure out how to screw the VA, that all you hear, well, I am getting so much but I want more. No Valen Madre, lazy bastards.
You that talk shit about the VFW are a bunch of haters, and everyone is welcome that just bring your proper paper work and there is no reason why you cannot join, of course they are not going to role a red carpet for you to enter but everyone is welcome. You people that talked shit about Mr. Lucio why don't you come and run against him and see if you can make a difference in this POST. At least they work hard to keep the place going. Instead of running your potty month why don't you come help out if you are a Veteran, as for the people that join the Am. Legion those are the people that have probably been run out for stealing back in the years and don't have the balls to come back. But for your information all Veterans that want to joint are WELCOME.
Also the Veterans that were there when this building got build don't know what they were thinking about to make such a big building, and one of those Was Tulos when he was the Commander.
Maybe you who talk so much shit are not allow to come by and enjoy a beer with the old guys for health reason.
As for that Person that says he came from Iraq and his family rented the hall did he think they could use it for free no one there does they have a fee which they use to keep that Post going.
Anyone that has their proper paper work and bring it to the Post can become a member. But to be an officer sorry but is all volunteer work your don't get pay hourly.
But to be an officer sorry but is all volunteer work your don't get pay hourly.
HUM!! YOU DON'T GET PAID, YOU JUST GET RE-REIMBURSED??
JUST ASK LUIS LUCIO FOR THE 150.PLUS WEEKLY HE WAS GETTING FROM THE VFW?
Well I guess you got your information wrong are you really don't know what is going on you just run your potty mouth, as far as I know they have like more then 200 member but yet when they make fundraisers no one is there to help not even sale tickets or buy tickets. So why should just the officers that are really there and care about this place have to donate, maybe you should donate a box of rice once in a while when they have fundraisers. Don't know what you have against Mr. Lucio but maybe if you are a Veteran you should go run for office and then really know what is going on instead of running your mouth. This is for the last person that posted.
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