CHICAGO, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- VFW posts are changing with the times, hoping to draw younger vets.
USA Today reports VFW posts will drop bingo, limit smoking and add family activities in hopes of bringing in younger vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Veterans of Foreign Wars posts were "dark dank places where people smoked and talked war stories," Dominic DeFranco said. DeFranco, commander of the Pennsylvania VFW, says the posts are changing.
The changes came about because Gary Kurpius, National VFW commander, put out a request for less smoking and more family services like day care and complimentary Internet access.
Not everyone is happy, though, the newspaper said. In Athens, Ga., VFW 2872 quartermaster Stan Hunter says when bingo was stopped and smoking was limited, they got some "flak."
But Hunter told the paper new members do like the barbecue pit and weekly informational programs. Younger veterans don't patronize the bar as much as older ones do.
Posts in cities like Lafayette, La., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are improving their facilities, USA Today said.
