Barry Denham, Veteran’s Agent for Marion and Rochester is worried.

Members of the “greatest generation” came home from World War II and proudly joined veterans organizations, marched in parades, and volunteered their time to support other veterans. Most of those who served in Vietnam didn’t follow suit. And veterans of the 21st Century War on Terror are not exactly lined up to join the VFW.

Denham, a Vietnam veteran, said that as World War II veterans pass away, younger veterans are not stepping up in local organizations.

That could mean less support for veterans at the state and national levels, according to Denham.

“Generally across the country, all of the veterans organizations are seeing dwindling numbers,” said Denham. “The Iraq and Afghanistan vets aren’t really joining in great numbers.”

In the years he has been active, Denham said, “I’ve seen the membership go from over 100 to 60.” But only six or seven of those 60 are active members.

The Benjamin D. Cushing VFW Post 2425 in Marion has seen equally small numbers said William Titcomb, Secretary of the post.

“We’ve got 147 on the roles, and 10 show up at the meetings,” said Titcomb, also a Vietnam veteran.

“A lot of the posts are closing at a fast rate of pace. How much longer it will go, I really don’t know. It’s anyone’s guess,” he said.

In the past, Marion’s VFW raised funds to purchase an ambulance for the town and organized the annual Block Party.

With their lack of manpower, the group has limited its activities to fundraisers that keep their post intact.

“The VFW and everyone else is in trouble, but you’re not going to change it,” said Titcomb.

Building up the numbers for political reasons doesn’t sit well with Titcomb.

“What good it does, I have no idea. I think they try to overrate everything,” he said.

Titcomb said he’s actually seen improvements in the Veterans Affairs.

“The VA nowadays is so much superior to what it was 10 years ago,” he said.

“The hospitals are really good. The people are really good. They make it nice.”

But Denham wants to take a more proactive approach.

“These veterans organizations have prodded the government, the Veterans Association and legislators to get veterans benefits at the levels they are now. We would hate to see our levels that we’ve established over the past years dwindle,” he said.

Denham said few senators and representatives are veterans, so retired servicemen and women need to be a constant voice on their own behalf.

“Vietnam veterans are especially at a point where they’re starting to search for benefits for health problems that originated during their service days,” he said.

As the Veteran’s Agent for the area, Denham has over 1,000 veterans under his jurisdiction.

He is in charge of administering Chapter 115, a program offering financial assistance for veterans and their families, as well as state benefits and medical benefits through the VA.

“We need the support of every veteran who is available to keep the organization strong and keep the levels of service strong,” added Denham. “It’s the young veterans who are going to have to pick up the ball and run with it to make sure there are benefits when they get older.”

But so far, getting some of those 1,000 veterans to join the cause is an uphill battle.