I retired from the United States Navy over twenty six years ago. I served for twenty two years, mostly sea duty and about 50/50 surface and submarine. My service included both enlisted and officer experience. For more than a decade I've been active in Veteran Organizations and Navy Reunion Associations.

That said as background for some observations and judgments made relative to the relationship and/or camaraderie of veterans within different social/fraternal situations. I should also mention that I completed a normal four year under graduate college program early in my post service time as part of my transition from career military to civilian/veteran status. Therefore opinions stated henceforth are based somewhat on the above background conditioning. My qualifying eligibility for membership in VetOrgs that I was most involved with was Korean service. My early experience with the VFW and the American Legion were quite different. I'm convinced that the local membership cadre were controlling factors. The VFW members were mostly retired enlisted Army. Many had served from WW II through Vietnam. Most were older than me. I was a retired Submarine Naval Officer. Talk about a black sheep in the pen, I was it! I attended the business meetings and got involved with the Post's activities. I still wasn't readily accepted. I've since changed to a younger VFW Post with some active duty Air Force members. Totally different ball game! Why bother? Aside from the fraternal benefits, there is strength in numbers (or so we hope) to try to preserve some of our earned entitlements. More on this later. The American Legion experience was vastly different from the VFW (same town with a few dual members). The American Legion membership included more of the officer corps and many vets with four or less years of service but a full civilian career behind them and many younger still working with children in school. I was readily accepted and got too involved, too quickly. If you let them, they'll work a VOLUNTEER to death and take all donations until the pot is dry! A real learning experience.

A fact of life: There are politics in each and every organization.



Also I've been involved with several Ship Reunion Associations. Most of these were initially formed by crew members that were WW II plank owners. It was their Association. That attitude is quickly changed or changing to recognize the crews from the Korean and Vietnam eras and the natural aging of the Association's plank owners. Being a Korean vet, I am in the middle group and have thoroughly enjoyed the periodic reunions that I've been able to attend. Little difference as to type of vessel: DD, CA, CV or CVA. With a CVA group there was one unpleasant experience where the WW II Air Group vets were in charge. A definite bias was felt. This was the only one notable exception though. The first reunion always seemed to be the best one. Then your expectations are high for the follow on gatherings. You attend and find that friends made before aren't there for any of several reasons (health, finances or death). The gathering of around 700 submarine veterans in Mobile in August of 1997 was as good as they get! The HOST TEAM accomplished their task in a most outstanding manner! I'll refrain from comment on the USSVI business activities there. The fraternal/social aspects of the Mobile experience were fantastic! I met several friends from my FBM days. It was great to have known Mike Grimm. June and I are looking forward to Hagerstown in September even though it immediately follows our national VFW & MOC Conventions that we are hosting in San Antonio. We are optimistic that after our Spring plumbing upkeep that we'll be up to the autumn activities. 28APR98

I'll defer the ENTITLEMENTS topic for another time.

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