WILLIAMSBURG — Veterans Day is an extra special time at VFW’s around the country. Inside Williamsburg Post 4639 they are striving to make sure the celebration continues for generations to come.
“Our average age of the post is in its 60s so we need to get, recruit and do things for those younger vets,” said post commander Ken Shannon.
Since Shannon took over as post commander three years ago, membership has increased from 150 to 205 people, but he says that’s just scratching the surface. He said they need to do a better job of reaching out to vets in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
“That’s the only way the organization is going to grow and continue to be a viable organization, I think that’s one of the things our national leaders are looking at,” said Shannon. “Because any organization, if you’re not growing you’re declining.”
Mary Van Swol is one of the post’s youngest members and she’s 42.
“I think the VFW has the stigmata, ‘oh it’s just old people with war stories,’ well times have changed,” said Swol.
The VFW Post 4639 is changing their image by being more active on social media and becoming more family oriented. They say it’s not just a social club, it’s an avenue toward building a future.
“We’ve had people from William and Mary College come in and talk about things and programs available to veterans and things that cater to younger veterans who are just getting out and looking how to use their GI bill and so forth,” said Swol.
The VFW said no matter what the age difference, when you sit a group of veterans around a table, whether they served in Vietnam or Afghanistan, it’s a bonding experience.
“A lot of us have gone to different places and have seen different things that a lot of folks don’t understand until you are with a fellow veteran,” said Shannon. “The majority of talking is listening and being able to hear what they have and what they’ve gone through.”
For more information on VFW Post 4639 and how to become a member click here.