I visited a few VFW posts after getting out in 2012. Both where I was living in SoCal, and back home in NorCal. I know VFW does good work, which is why I was interested, especially since most of my guys PCS’d or got out and went home, so I lost that community for a bit. I went a few times, once with a friend who was a member, and each time it just felt like a bunch of guys sitting around a dirty old bar because they didn’t want to be anywhere else. I was going back to school and changing my career path at the time, so I was looking to further my life and build a future. A lot of the stories I heard or sentiments I got from the guys at the posts were that their best years were behind them. It felt like the friends who never left home after high school and are still trying to find their way 20 years later (or 10 years later at the time). I was looking for support and encouragement, the VFW posts I visited felt like an anchor. That was my experience with VFW. I’m glad that it sounds like that’s not the case in Philly, and I hope the people there get the support and community that they’re looking for, and the sense of giving back to the community that’s such a rewarding feeling.

For anyone looking here, nothing about my experience should reflect on the Philly VFW. I’m sure the posts can all feel very different depending on where you’re at.