Worcester Business Journal

12 Worcester Business Journal | December 7, 2020 | wbjournal.com V E T E R A N S I N T H E W O R K P L A C E FOCUS PHOTOS/EDD COTE BY GRANT WELKER Worcester Business Journal News Editor L ong before the coronavi- rus pandemic hit, veterans services groups were facing a deep demographic challenge: Far fewer young vets have been interested in joining their local VFW, American Legion or other post. Add a public health crisis, and these groups are now struggling with a triple whammy of sorts. It's far harder – and riskier – for them to gather in person, and for those with their own spaces to rent out, family gatherings or communi- ty events that used to bring in a chunk of revenue are all but impossible. "It's a challenge for everyone in the veterans clubs," said Ray Samko, the Military veterans risk losing places to gather as the pandemic hits organizations already hurting Veterans groups adapt to multiple challenges adjutant and past commander of the American Legion Post 435 in the Vernon Hill section of Worcester. Longstanding challenges Veterans groups have long been strug- gling with an aging demographic, with Korean- and Vietnam War-era veterans far less likely to be joined by their young- er counterparts, particularly those who may have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Of the more than 330,000 veterans in Massachusetts, 57% are 65 or older, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Less than 10% are 34 or younger. e state's veteran population declines by more than 3% every year, and within two decades is expected to shrink to about 120,000, according to the VA. e major veterans groups have gener- ally had shrinking membership. American Legion had almost 2.3 million members in 2013, and below 2 million today, and the number of posts have shrunk from 14,000 to 12,000. e VFW has about 1.1 million mem- bers, with 2019 snapping a 27-year streak of declining membership. It remains about 1 million below its peak in 1992. Still, these veterans posts are ubiqui- tous. In Central Massachusetts alone, the American Legion has 73 locations. e VFW has 34, and AMVETS has 10. Post leaders don't hide frustration that Tommy "Calvin" Coolidge, the commander of the VFW Post 523 in Clinton, is helping to keep the post safe during the pandemic and viable with longer-term demographic trends. Richard "Rocky" Racca, the quartermaster of the Clinton VFW Post 523 (left) with Tom "The Bug" Wollerman, an auxiliary member, and Jim "The Lip" Moore, a member of the post's board of directors.

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