What you need to know
A veteran isn't just that old soldier who served in World War II or Korea, but anyone who has served his country in uniform. Membership requirements for the different veterans organizations vary - some require you to just have served, others require you to have served overseas, while yet others are open only to a few.
But all veterans' organizations have one main thing in common: they are a great place to go. Most of these groups have "posts" where you can go and relax, enjoy cheep beer, play pool, sing karaoke, or dance. Many have a lot of different events going on throughout the year. And all have people who can help you if there are problems with the VA, for example.
While many groups are still geared more toward the older crowd of veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, they all, of course, welcome young members.
The titles below are links to the organizations' websites.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. It now counts more than 3 million members, and approximately 15 thousand American Legion posts worldwide.
Eligibility - Anyone currently on active duty in the US armed forces is eligible, as well as veterans who have served in the US Armed Forces during wartime.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The VFW's mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense. The organizations counts approximately 2.4 million members and 9,000 posts across the globe.
Eligibility - Anyone who has served overseas during time or war in the US armed forces. Soldiers who served on peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo are also eligible.
With more than 1.2 million members, Disabled American Veterans is an
organization of disabled veterans who are focused on building better lives for
disabled veterans and their families.
The organization accomplishes this goal by providing free assistance to veterans
in obtaining benefits and services earned through their military service. It is
fully funded through its membership dues and public contributions. It is not a
government agency and receives no government funds.
Eligibility - Any man or woman, who was
wounded, gassed, injured or disabled in the line of duty during time of war,
while in the service of the US Armed Forces.
For more than 60 years, AMVETS has endeavored to provide fellow veterans with the type of support they truly deserve. This outreach effort takes many forms, from the professional advice our service officers offer on earned veterans benefits to our legislative efforts on Capitol Hill to the work done by hospital volunteers.
Eligibility - To be eligible for membership in AMVETS, you must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, anytime after Sept. 15, 1940. Additionally, unless still serving, your discharge must have been under honorable conditions.
Military Order of the Purple Heart
The "Military Order of the Purple Heart," was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of "combat" veterans.
A national organization for American citizens who were captured by the enemy. At the present time, the American Ex-Prisoners of War has over 300 Chapters and State Departments, representing over 27,000 members. Our purpose is our motto: "We exist to help those who cannot help themselves."
The Blinded Veterans Association
The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) traces its roots back to the end of World War II. We are here to help veterans and their families meet the challenges of blindness.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946, has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of our members— veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.