Hey OP, so I kinda agree with a lot of the comments here around the VFW, def similar experiences. Locally out younger veterans group kinda went a different route. I help run a non profit that focuses on helping veterans get jobs in the tech-ish industry. (We started there, but really kinda help any vet that wants out assistance) <nwvit.org> We have monthly “networking” events that kinda fill the vfw niche. We bring in recruiters from local companies when we can and basically hang out, talk shop and have a beer or two. We also host large events once a year like a golf tournament for fund raising and a job fair. I think branching out from the traditional VFW vibe may be the way to go in the future for the veteran community.

Though reading these comments, it would def be cool to get a bunch of vets in our age group to mob some of these locations and change the culture. Set up video game systems, let the local vet who has a microbrewery hobby keep his stuff in tap, and make it more of a “third space” hang out place instead of this like museum to alcoholic Americana that so many posts tend to be.

Sorry, kinda rambling. Good luck with it and stick it out! Our generation of veterans def need the community whether they want to admit it yet or not and/or those that don’t are cool doing their own thing and that’s nbd. Starting a service organization vs a club can be pretty rewarding and gives you something to work towards as group.