Forward Observer: Something for Other Veterans Organizations to Consider for Their Own Well-Being?

Momentum for PA VFW’s No Smoking Indoors Campaign Continues to March On

There has been loads of talk these days about improving the well-being of military veterans and their families.   But without the well-being of chartered veterans organizations such as the VFW, The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America and others also being maintained, that prospect instantly becomes harder.  The veterans benefits we have today were largely hard-earned through these organizations.

Unfortunately, at a point perhaps when most needed because of the political furies now surrounding us, these organizations are suffering membership decline as a whole.  Much of it is because the number of Americans rendering active duty military service at a point in time (which creates future veterans) has declined significantly over the past fifty years.  Specifically, about 1.3 million Americans now render active duty service currently as opposed to 3.5 million in 1968.

Nevertheless, some little things that can be done which can greatly improve their situation.  One of these is banning smoking in veterans organization post/chapter buildings, when they exist.  Studies have shown that in the surrounding states where smoking laws have banned smoking in restaurants and clubs, business actually improves.  In Pennsylvania,  where a few brave veterans organizations have tried it, both their membership and home association business seem to have been improved overall — even though no state law exists to level the playing field.  Otherwise, logic would would say, why bother?

According to the VFW’s State Department of Pennsylvania, “[t]he number of PA VFW Posts that offer a smoke-free atmosphere inside their canteens continues to grow.  Shown below are Posts that have contacted State HQ to have their Post information added to the list of smoke free (indoors) local chapters. This list is shared with VFW members searching for smoke-free Posts. If your Post has transitioned to being family friendly by not allowing smoking inside your facility, please email your information to PA VFW Public Affairs/Communications Director David Sandman, dsandman@vfwpahq.org.

“Philadelphia Post 2 – Gettysburg Post 15 – Lansdale Post 32 – West Chester Post 106 – Rochester Post 128 – Harrisburg Post 148 – Coatesville Post 287 – Tobyhanna Post 509 – McConnellsburg Post 655 – North Penn Post 676 – Ft. Ligionier Post 734 – Edinboro/McKean Post 740 – McMurray Post 764 – Bloomsburg Post 804 – Conshohocken Post 1074 – Red Lion Post 1446 – Croydon Post 1597 – Huntingdon Post 1754 – Indiana Post 1989 – Mt. Wolf Post 2493 – Hanover Post 2506 – Ephrata Post 3376 – Willow Grove Post 3398 – Media Post 3460 – Roslyn Post 3498  – Willow Grove Post 3612 – Morningside Post 3945 – Saxton Post 4129 – Simpson Post 4712 – Waynesburg Post 4793 – Covington Twp. Post 5207 – Spring Grove Post 5265 – Mount Joy Post 5752 – Mt. Union Post 5754 – Beaver Falls Post 5945 – Greencastle Post 6319 – Mt. Jewett Post 6347 – Yardley Post 6393 – Levittown Post 6495 – Womelsdorf VFW 6558 – Donegal Post 6743 – Dillsburg Post 6771 – Gladwyne Post 6956 – New Freedom Post 7012 – Trappe 7155 – Whitehall Post 7293 – Millersville Post 7294 – Mars Post 7505 – Reynolds Post 7599 – Valley Forge Post 7878 – Philadelphia Post 8051 – Duncansville Post 8724 – Mountville Post 8757 – East Berlin Post 8896 – Bensalem Post 9220 – Selinsgrove Post 6631 – Sankertown Post 7377 – Essington Post 4845 – Bradford Post 212 – Millersburg Post 5507 – Twin Rocks VFW Post 7605.”

Maybe it is time for others to embark on the path the state VFW has set, if they have not done so already?  For the sake of maintaining necessary organizations to the well-being of those who have served, when needed.

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As of 19 November 2019