From Hudson Reporter: Keeping the traditions alive: Veterans’ posts seek younger vets

Bayonne has a long history of being one of the most patriotic cities in America. Men and, more recently, women from Bayonne have often been among the first to volunteer when the nation faces a military threat. Testifying to this is the fact that the city has 12 active veterans’ posts.

Yet, as patriotic as Bayonne is —“ with men and women still shipping out from Bayonne to help defend the country —“ membership in these posts is declining. This is because most of the members of these posts are getting old or dying off, and newer veterans from wars such as Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan are not joining.

While some of the posts still have a number of members on their rolls, they often operate with a core group who attend meetings regularly and bear the burden of civic events.

—We know there are younger veterans in town, and we’re trying to get them to join,— said Frank Perrucci, a World War II veteran.

National trend

This is, unfortunately, a national trend that has been going on since the late 1980s.

Veterans groups like those in Bayonne flourished after World War II, when posts served as a social network for those returning home from war, where men who had gone through similar experiences could gather and offer support for each other. But several studies done since the 1990s seem to indicate the these social networks are less appealing to younger veterans, even though these groups tend to form the backbone of lobbying efforts for veterans rights.

—The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars are the two biggest organizations in the country, and they fight for veterans’ benefits whenever Congress wants to cut them,— said Perrucci. —Posts like those in Bayonne are needed to support that effort.—

The bulk of members of these organizations come from World War II and the Korean War. Though some Vietnam War veterans have joined in recent years, many of these men and women are also beginning to age —“ most now in their 50s and 60s.

The most recent study done by the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs said there are wide social gaps between younger and older veterans that appear to discourage membership. Older veterans groups, the study showed, tended to center around a tavern-like setting, where veterans play pool, trade stories and such, while younger veterans appear to want a setting where they can set up a laptop, drink coffee or play video games.

More losses

Although less an issue in Bayonne —“ where younger veterans received a warmer welcome coming home from wars over seas —“ in many parts of the country, the report said, older veterans groups actually closed their doors to homecoming veterans, an exile that lasted almost 20 years in some cases, creating an even greater social gap between younger and older veterans.

The study, which concluded in 2002, showed that almost half the veterans groups saw a deep dip in membership during the late 1990s, as the population of older veterans died off.

—We lost two veterans just this week,— Perrucci said on Nov. 4, when he and other veterans gathered for the wake of Frank Sullivan.

The study shows that as the number of World War II veterans dwindle, so does membership in the VFW and American Legion.

Federal statistics show that American Legion and VFW membership nationally declined 24 percent to 3.9 million, from 1995 to 1998…

Veteran’s Posts, much like other social clubs, are also falling prey to a narrowing of interests and the over specialization of group membership. Rather than focusing on the common interests of all concerned, likely members are advocating for their particular needs alone (and this includes older, long standing members).

If we look at the wider good achieved through the social linkages created in these clubs we recognize their benefit. Traditionally, groups like the Moose, Elks, Lions, and Eagles as well as veteran’s organizations brought together people from various social strata. They worked for each other, for what they held in common, and did a whole lot of good for the wider community. Hopefully people will recognize that what they hold in common is far greater than the difference between the tavern and coffee club lifestyles. There is room for everyone because in unity there is strength.

If you are interested in working together contact the VFW, American Legion, DAV, or the Polish Legion of American Veterans.