Iraq, Afghanistan veterans can meet online
Published 10:22 pm Tuesday, November 11, 2008
WASHINGTON — Veterans of past wars have long found companionship over beer and conversation at their local veterans hall. But many of those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan seek that companionship elsewhere: online.
Hoping to tap into that virtual community, a public service campaign that started Tuesday encourages Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to log onto a new social networking site called Community of Veterans.
The site was developed by the nonprofit organizations Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the Ad Council.
“You don’t need bricks and mortar to have an American Legion post,” said John Raughter, spokesman for the American Legion.
The veterans organization isn’t the only one expanding in cyberspace. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, for example, is a partner in another social networking site that started Tuesday, My Vetwork. Also, the American Legion has created several cyber posts.
The American Legion and VFW have seen a decline in membership since a peak after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, as World War II veterans and Korean War veterans have died.
