Author: ateeter

Commander’s Corner (October 2024)

During our Sept. 5 business meeting, we voted to adopt the VFW Post 3063 strategic plan. This plan is a roadmap that addresses our current challenges and sets clear goals for the future. The strategic plan outlines several key goals: increasing member participation, redeveloping our post into a central hub for veterans, ensuring financial accountability, and enhancing veteran recruitment and entitlement awareness.

Our newly formed Strategy Committee is working to implement these goals, especially membership participation. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to volunteer their ideas and time to improve the health of our post.

Goal two is redeveloping our post and we recently hired a project manager (and Navy retiree), Brian Lauer. You may see him pop in for meetings or stop by the post during office hours since he’s in the midst of the redevelopment discovery process. We’re excited to work with him to help reach our goal of redeveloping into a central hub for veterans.

FYI: we’re hosting a Halloween-themed concert fundraiser for our Post 3063 Relief Fund on Oct. 26. You can buy tickets now on Eventbrite. Thank you to Past Commander Joe Tiffany for organizing! 

Youth essays are due at the end of the month on Oct. 31. Please spread the word! Now is go time.

Lastly, mark your calendars for Nov. 11. We’ll be hosting a Veterans Day Open House and lunch at the post. The flyer is included below.

If you want to get involved with any of these initiatives or events — we can always use more help! — please contact me at [email protected] or 206-701-9259.


In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Tai Chi, anyone?

Did you know the post hosts a Tai Chi class every Monday at 2:30 pm taught by a Vietnam Veteran? The instructor, Bill Laprade, has a group of dedicated students but none of them are veterans. Bill’s passion is to instruct veterans but may discontinue the class at our location if no veterans decide to join. Shoot an email to Bill at [email protected] if interested!

Reminder: Youth Essays due Oct. 31

Please share the following info with your families and friends! Entries are due Oct. 31.

High school students can enter the Voice of Democracy contest. In this program you write your response to the question of the year, record your oration presenting those thoughts, then enter our contest to win cash prizes. Please submit entries at bit.ly/3WlZ2Sf. 

Middle school students can enter the Patriot’s Pen contest. This program is in the form of a written response to the question. It’s submitted to our post and winners progress up the ladder to big prizes. Please submit entries at bit.ly/3xMknLc. 

Elementary students in grades 3, 4 & 5 are encouraged to enter the special Youth Essay program run by the Washington Department, Veterans of Foreign Wars. This program is also a written response to the question of the year. Here’s the link to the rules and entry form.

WWII veteran turns 100

We honored Clarence Rankin, a World War II veteran, on Sept. 7 as he celebrated his 100th birthday. Nestor Tamayao, past commander of VFW Post 3063, attended the celebration at St. Benedict’s Church to present Clarence with tokens of our gratitude. On behalf of our post, Nestor presented Clarence with a card, a VFW cap, a $100 bill, and a complimentary membership. These gifts symbolize our appreciation for his service during the war and his continued contributions to the community. From his early days in Illinois to his service in the South Pacific, and his active role at St. Benedict’s Church, Clarence’s life is a testament to dedication and community spirit. Today, he remains engaged with life through woodworking, spending time with family, and meeting friends. Please join us in wishing Clarence Rankin a very happy 100th birthday!

Scholarship presentation

On Sept. 15, post members presented the inaugural Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063 Freedom Scholarship to SGT Arleen Gonzalez from the Washington National Guard’s 181st Brigade Support Battalion (Post 3063’s adopted unit). She received $2,000 to use towards her pursuit of a college degree. Congratulations, Arleen! Also thank you to the 181 BSB leadership and soldiers who were present to recognize the momentous occasion.