By Harold Rodenberger
Happy New Year! VFW new year, that is.
Yes, the VFW transitions from the old year at the beginning of July. Outgoing officers have fulfilled their duties and now step down to let our new officers lead the way for the next year. Our June newsletter listed new elected officers and appointed officers are listed elsewhere in this issue.
At this new beginning, I’d like to share a look back over our post activities during the past twelve months.
To me, number one on the list of accomplishments during the past year has been the continuing excellent attendance at business meetings. In the late ‘90’s our meeting attendance fluctuated from the high teens down to lower numbers, with occasional meeting times when there were not enough members present for a quorum. For the past 12-15 years attendance has been better, with the past eight or nine years seeing numbers regularly in the high teens to high twenties. It’s a healthy sign to have 20 or 25 members in attendance at our business meetings. Way to go team!!!
Members of our post were active in many other ways also. We made six visits to the VA Hospital, passing out snacks, drinks and good wishes to the patients and thanks to the staff members. We logged more than twenty-five visits to local retirement and nursing homes. Last fall and again last month we retired unserviceable US flags with the proper ceremonies. Our Honor Guard has participated in memorial services and posted the colors several times. Our volunteer chef for third Thursday socials has prepared some wonderful meals and attendance is increasing as a result. Our library has grown in both number of books and number of users. We adopted a new National Guard unit, doubling support for our brothers and sisters bearing arms.
We have donated substantial help to residents of the homeless camp next door to our post. Our service officer has expanded the number of appointments for counseling and assistance for deserving veterans. Our Relief Fund and National Home Fund both have reached new funding levels enabling expanded support for veterans and families both in the Seattle area and in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Our Yoga class is helping our members and families relieve mental and physical stress. Our hall has served as a meeting place, supporting other veterans’ groups, other non-profit community organizations and local government entities, including the City of Seattle.
As I said, the outgoing officers fulfilled their obligations. By fulfilling their duties, they also gained the personal fulfillment that comes of helping other veterans and their families and members of the community in ways that only fellow veterans can.
No matter your position as an officer, regular member or even family member, your participation in the activities of our post will bring lasting benefits to those helped but also will satisfy our shared human need to gain personal fulfillment and rise above self by serving others and helping our fellow man.
As members of the VFW, we have the common distinction of having served in war zones, placing ourselves in harm’s way to protect our homeland, its citizens and our way of life. Now, as members of our post we are motivated to serve our fellow veterans and community here in Seattle. We don’t labor for money or glory but for the personal fulfillment that comes from helping others.
My hat is off to our members and other volunteers who give so freely of their time and energy to help others in our community.