by Kevin R. Jenkins

After returning from the 118th National VFW Convention held this summer in New Orleans, District 8 Senior Vice Commander Joseph Cerchi of Bismarck had to come face-to-face with what he believes has led to a precipitous drop in the veteran organization’s membership in recent years.

Cerchi — who in his position represents the VFW in St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Madison, Jefferson, Washington and Iron counties — explained that despite a number of younger veterans returning stateside after leaving the service, they aren’t joining the VFW because of what he refers to as “the stereotype.”