By Harold Rodenberger
This month the days are short and the nights are long here in Seattle. It’s time to figurately gather around the fire and stay warm while telling stories, developing plans and sharpening tools for springtime hunting and fishing expeditions.
This month also marks the halfway point of our VFW year. Time to assess our progress, adjust goals and hone our tools for the remainder of the year.
We’ve had some firsts so far this year:
– We held two flag retirement ceremonies and a community document shredding day.
– Our Honor Guard attended two military funerals and posted colors at our post and at the WWII Allen Library WWI Centennial grand opening.
– Our service officer, Gail Engler, initiated office hours once per month at the Ballard Senior Center for veterans who might need help.
– Thanks to Chair Bill Griffith and his crew we held a nice WWII remembrance ceremony last month complete with Certificates of Appreciation and longevity pins for our WWII veterans.
– Our editor, Alyson Teeter, earned a promotion in one of her other jobs. In November, her daughter pinned her with a silver Lt Col leaf. Congratulations, Aly!
– Teams from our post visited patients at the VA Hospital on Fourth of July, Labor Day and both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving last month, bringing cheer and goodies to those veterans. We also made many visits to other retirement and nursing homes in the area to visit veterans and other community members. First time for so many visits.
– Jessica Chacko won our Post 3063 Voice of Democracy contest. We wish her well as she now competes at higher levels. Jessica and her father, Sanu, have been regular participants when we visit the VA Hospital.
– We have our annual Christmas party scheduled Dec. 15. There will be a prime rib dinner, a visit from Santa with gifts for the children and seasonal music so be sure to mark your calendar. Not a first but worth attending.
Looking forward to the second half of our year:
– We have signed up seven new members but have lost some of our older members so we need your help to reach 100% membership as soon as possible.
– Our Color Guard is sharpening skills under the direction of Chair Bill Hoeller and will be participating in more events.
– Our military-themed post library is growing quickly. If you’re interested in reading the old-fashioned way, from actual paper books, drop by and check it out. You might find something you can’t resist.
– Early in the summer we will have another flag retirement ceremony so bring your old flags to the post for proper retirement.
– Our post will hold a “Grand Reopening” ceremony this spring to celebrate the centennial of America’s entry into WWI.
– We are planning another St Patty’s Day corned beef dinner/fundraiser for our relief fund. Save the date for a good dinner and a chance to contribute to a good cause.
– If you have an idea for something our post could do in the community or to help veterans, please let us know. Good ideas are always welcome.
Finally, from me and my family to you and yours, we wish you the best of the Holidays and a prosperous, peaceful and productive New Year.