Letter to the Editor: No Struggle in Our Service to Veterans

A recent letter to the editor begging readers to rescue veterans’ services organizations, although probably well intentioned, totally missed the mark. The focus was not on our VFW Post 3088, but ours and others were mentioned as having the same struggle with finding new members.

First, the writer has no authority to speak for our VFW Post 3088 and holds no office in our post. Second, he never talked with officers at our post before articulating an alleged “struggle” by our group. Third, contrary to his assertion, members of Post 3088 are more concerned about providing services to veterans than rescuing any organization.

Finally, like all volunteer organizations, Post 3088 works hard to recruit and maintain members in a society that is less inclined to volunteer than past generations. The old corps of World War II and Korean War vets is rapidly fading, and those of us who survived Vietnam never felt welcome to join much. Those who did repeat tours in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and God-knows-where deserve a break and time to live their lives. 

Post 3088 welcomes all eligible veterans, and our focus remains on helping veterans of all stripes. Vets, thanks for your service. Welcome home.

Joe Knaapen

Commander, VFW Post 3088

Brussels, Wisconsin