2019 Texas VFW Commanders Articles

STATE COMMANDER’S COLUMN

Let me start by saying “thank you for all you do” to my fellow Texas comrades!

We are now a quarter of the way through the VFW year and it has been extremely busy for all of us. To date, there have been two remote training sessions: one in West Texas and one in The Valley. These have been welcomed with open arms by the Districts and by the hosting Posts, and I believe this type of training will continue due to the positive reponses. I firmly believe the more training we receive the better off our Posts, Districts, Department, and entire organization will be — much like our military days.

Many times I have heard a saying that new members “Don’t just walk into the Post.” Myself, along with other Officers, are testing this theory. In our travels all over the great state of Texas we entered Posts that we had never been to before and wore apparel that would indicate military service in order to gauge the reception we received. What an eye opening experience this has been! There were Posts that welcomed us as if we were long-lost brothers and others where all that was spoken was “Do you need another beer?” — instead of asking things like “Are you a member? Have you served? Are you eligible?” or even “Where are you from and what brings you here?” The “VFW STARE” is alive and kicking in Texas! Comrades, if you do not have an inviting atmosphere in your Post, why would a possible new member ever want to join?

I visited an undisclosed District for six days without telling anyone what I was up to. I went into several Posts to see how they treated people they don’t know. While most were very friendly, in one instance I sat for over an hour and the only question I was asked was “Did I need another?” Again, if you were a prospective member, would you join this Post? I think you know the answer to that. We are most likely watching possible new members walk in and then right back out the door because they did not feel welcome. This has to change.

In another instance, the Sr., Jr., QM, Chief of Staff and myself went into a Post together, wearing one of this year’s shirts, and we were told by a member of that Post that “I think y’all are lost” to which I replied “No, sir, this is the VFW post we were looking for.” The Jr. Vice asked the bartender if the Post Commander was present and asked her to please let him know that the state leadership was here. The Commander sent her out with a chip for a drink but did not come out to say hello even though we stayed for about 90 minutes. We must have an inviting atmosphere to prospective members in order to sustain and grow membership. Please do your part to have a friendly Post where ALL feel welcome!

There have been many challenges thus far and I expect there will be many more, but following the Bylaws and SOP will guide each Post in the right direction, as this is what helps guide all of us. There have also been many successes and I appreciate what each of you is doing to make these happen. Please continue to assist our military, our Veterans, and our communities in any way you can. If we can grow our membership by approximately 1,500 members over our current goal, Texas will become the largest Department in the entire organization! We can do it if WE try. Let’s make TEXAS #1.

Remaining yours in comradeship,

Keith King

KNOW THE FIVE SIGNS OF CRISIS

personality changes | poor self-care | hopelessness | withdrawn | agitation

Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255

"About 15 months ago, after leaving the V.A. Clinic, I pulled into a local VFW and loaded my pistol. I was in a lot of pain and no one seemed to care. I had decided to drive my truck through the front of the V.A. Clinic and start shooting at anyone and everyone in an attempt for police-assisted suicide. I was angry and hurting so I walked into the canteen and elected to have a beer before I returned to the clinic. When I walked in, I was greeted by an old friend who was tending bar. Then a veteran — a VFW Member — someone I had never met or heard of before, came and introduced himself to me. This veteran didn’t know me from Adam, however, he made it a point to introduce himself. I sat there for several hours thinking of the events that were about to transpire. The VFW Member came and talked to me several times off and on during those hours. Slowly, I began to talk and to get to know him, and while my pain didn’t decrease, my anger did, and my previous plans were canceled. I came back with my DD214 the next day and became a member of the VFW Post. Within two weeks I became a Life Member. When someone walks through your doors, greet them and get to know them, it could save lives. To this VFW Member I will always be grateful to you and your actions that day. I will always consider you my brother. Many people owe you more than they know."

—Anonymous

If you are a veteran in crisis, or you are concerned about one, free, confidential support is available24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1; send a text message to 838255; orchat online at www.mentalhealth.va.gov.

SR VICE COMMANDER’S COLUMN

JR VICE COMMANDER’S COLUMN

PERCEPTION — The mental grasp of objects, qualities, etc. by means of awareness, comprehension, insight or intuition or the faculty of these.

As I traveled the State of Texas, I havewitnessed two different perceptions ofPosts in the Texas VFW.

The first is the one where I have beenwelcomed and asked if I was a veteranand a member of the VFW. I talk withthem and they tell me about the workthey are doing for veterans and the community. The perception hereis that this Post is inclusive to all and cares about its fellow Comradesand community.

The second is where the Posts do not acknowledge strangers. I wasat a Post recently where I sat for 20 minutes and no one said a wordto me. I got up, handed my business card to the bartender asking herto give it to the Commander, said thank you, and left. The perceptionhere is that this is just a watering hole.

Comrades, if we don’t acknowledge strangers whocome into our Posts, we are turning away potentialmembers or we are turning away troubled veteranswho are seeking help. In our National By-Laws it says we are topreserve and strengthen comradeship among members and assistworthy comrades. How are we going to assist veterans if we don’tacknowledge them?

Please share these articles in this magazine with your Posts and allmembers. They are an eye opener. The suicide rate for veterans isaround twenty per day — but with our help we can make a difference.

Remember the VFW Post is not part of the canteen — the canteen ispart of the VFW Post.

State Sr Vice Commander,

Dick Shawver

Belong.

As I campaigned across this great state I talked about a lot of different topics. We must run our Post like a business, we must have a vision for the future, we are not elected to rule, we are elected to serve, and about the 3B’S: Build • Bridge • Belong. They are all important — but the “Belong” is the most important to me. At one time I almost didn’t stay in the VFW because I wasn’t treated like I belonged.

The year was 2006. One of my PTSD doctors at the Houston V.A. Hospital recommended I join a Veteran’s Organization. He said it would be good for me to be around other veterans. I had heard of the VFW but had never been in a Post. I looked around on the internet, found one near my home, and stopped by during the week. I walked into a dimly lit, smoky canteen with beer signs all over the walls. The Commander and Adjutant were there and I signed up. No one told me anything about the VFW.

I missed my first meeting but I’m guessing I was voted in. I did attend my second meeting and this is where it all fell apart for me. A grumpy old man checked my card. Not one introduction. No “How are you?” No “Who did you serve with and where?” We have a dinner after each meeting and I ate alone. At the next meeting I stood up during Good of the Order and told the group that if this is how the VFW treats new members, it’s not what I signed up for.

I felt as isolated at their meetings as I did when I got home from Vietnam. That same grumpy old man came up to me after the meeting and apologized to me. He said the Post had lost its way. They were more concerned with the canteen and bingo than the VFW. He asked me to stay and help get them back on track. Four months later I was elected Jr Vice, and the next year Commander. In 2019 I was honored to be elected State Jr Vice Commander… And to think I almost quit the VFW because I didn’t feel like I Belonged…

State Jr Vice Commander,

Norman Macey

Fall 2019 Texas VFW Magazine