Veteran service organization membership is down

It's important to join a veteran service organization

http://www.jacksoncountychronicle.com/articles/2010/03/24/opinion/4.txt

March 24, 2010
by Randy Bjerke
Jackson County Veterans Service officer

Veteran service organizations are veterans organizations designed for
the benefit of the veteran and community.

There are many VSOs. Those with posts in the local area are the
American Legion, American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans and
the Veterans of Foreign Wars. There are many more service
organizations, such as the Marine Corps League, Viet Nam Veterans of
America, Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Military Order of the
Purple Heart, Fleet Reserve Association and others geared to
particular groups of veterans.

Each organization has its own individual requirements for membership,
of which some are more stringent than others. The requirements range
from honorable service during any time period to service in a combat
zone to requiring a service-connected disability. These VSOs welcome
any eligible member, regardless of age, race, religion or gender.
Many of these organizations host auxiliaries so that spouses and
other family members can also participate.

These organizations provide countless hours of local community
service. You'll see veterans proudly marching with our nation's flag
at the forefront of parades or donating time and money to local
causes. The firing squad and the person who presents the flag at a
military funeral are members of veteran service organizations.
Sometimes it's a simple as going to the VA hospital to play cards or
bingo with the patients.

OK, so what do these organizations do for me? Although they are all
separate organizations, there is commonality in their goals: They are
a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and
their families, they monitor and lobby for legislation that directly
impacts our veteran community and they help to develop the next
generation of patriots through character-enhancing programs. Veteran
service organizations sponsor Boy Scout troops, Badger Boy's State,
Legion Baseball, scholarships and the annual oratorical contests.

Virtually all of our veterans legislation has been driven by these
VSOs. The United States wouldn't have the GI Bill if not for them.
Each of these groups have service officers who assist and advocate
for veterans in filing claims for service-connected disabilities and
negotiating the ways of the Veterans Administration. Veteran service
organizations are responsible for getting post-traumatic stress
disorder and the Agent Orange related diseases, among others,
recognized by the Veterans Administration. Veteran service
organizations are at the forefront of public policy related to
national defense, services for homeless veterans, adequate funding
for the Department of Veterans Affairs, concurrent receipt of
retirement pay and disability compensation by disabled military
retirees, veterans employment and training, POW/MIA accountability
and flag protection.

Now, what can I do for them? Simply put, join one and participate.
Contribute your time, energy, and assets. Take advantage of the
camaraderie unique to military veterans. Help out at a fundraiser.
There is strength in numbers. When the National Commanders go to
Congress to lobby for veteran-friendly legislation, numbers count.
Large organizations have clout.

Nationwide, memberships in veteran service organizations are down. In
order for these organizations to be around when you need them, they
must be self-perpetuating.

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