Local veteran organizations are struggling to keep up with the new obstacles facing young veterans.

Now some of those same organizations are reinventing themselves hoping those new veterans will know they have a place to go for support when they come home.

“There’s this military style of community that you miss” said David McGrinn, a Marine Corps Veteran.

After fighting in Afghanistan, McGrinn knew he needed support. He sought out the St. Cloud Veterans of Foreign Wars for help.

“We provide an environment that you don’t have to tell anyone what you’ve done- we already know. You don’t have to worry about what you’ve done over seas—here we are humans,” McGinn said.

McGrinn said he was surprised to find there were far more Vietnam veterans in the VFW than veterans from any of the more recent wars. He felt there were many younger veterans out there who might not being taking advantage of the support from VFW.

McGrinn ran for Commander for the St. Cloud’s VFW chapter, and won. He is now one of the youngest commanders to be elected in Florida.

“We want to gather more into the post so we can further our agenda which is to help and serve Veterans.” McGrinn explained, “But we can’t help and serve unless we know that they are there.”

His hope is that this new generation of veterans will see that the VFW is a community that has helped him and can help them, too.

“After being in combat eventually that’s going to catch up with you. The VFW, the other organizations are going to be there to help out,” said Stan Barkley, a Vietnam War Veteran.

The VFW has decided to reinvent themselves. They will be introducing athletic teams, and sports competitions in hopes it will encourage younger vets to get involved.