ateeter – Page 102 – Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063

Redding VFW Post 1934 Goes Above and Beyond

By Jon Guncay

On May 15, 2017, my family and I were in Redding, Calif. for a wedding. While visiting around the town, I happened into the local VFW, Post 1934. My son and I were looking at some of the photos on the wall when a picture of an Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) caught my eye, as it was my vehicle in Iraq. Upon a closer look, I noticed that the bumper number not only had my company’s number on it, but it was in fact MY exact vehicle from that deployment. I was so taken aback by this, as no one from that unit was from this part of the country, so I have no idea how it came to be there in this high plateau town.

Photo of Jon Guncay’s Armored Security Vehicle that he drove while deployed in Iraq. This photo was hanging in Redding California VFW Post 1934.

In seeing this, I asked the post if they wouldn’t mind adding “In memory of 1LT Ashley Henderson-Huff” to the photo, to honor my platoon leader we lost that deployment.

To make a long story short, the post invited my family and I back the next day, prior to having to make a flight home, to hold a dog tag and flag folding ceremony in her honor. Complete with a chaplain rendering a prayer, honor guard with military police (our job in Iraq), and dog tags made with Ashley’s information on it, the post made sure to pull out all

VFW Post 1934 members perform a flag folding ceremony in honor of Jon Guncay’s deceased platoon leader, 1st Lt. Ashley Henderson-Huff.

the stops to honor my LT as if she and I were life members of their post. I was moved to tears, which made telling her story in front of that impromptu crowd all the more difficult, but important.

This VFW post was a stout reminder that we are all brothers and sisters — that we share each other’s pains and joys. My family, 1LT Henderson-Huff’s family, and I will never forget this post’s outpouring of support and above expectation hospitality. While post 3063 is our home, this only goes to prove that we are welcome to hang our hat at any VFW post that we happen into.

Post Members Participate in Area Memorial Day Events

Harold Rodenberger, Joe Fitzgerald, and Bill Griffith participate in a color guard during the Ballard Elks’ Memorial Day Ceremony.

Harold Rodenberger and Joe Fitzgerald pass out Buddy Poppy pins and seeds at the QFC on Holman Road. — Harold Rodenberger and Joe Fitzgerald pass out Buddy Poppies and seeds at the QFC on Holman Road.

Gail Engler and Joe Fitzgerald pass out Buddy Poppy pins and seeds at the QFC on Holman Road. — Gail Engler and Joe Fitzgerald pass out Buddy Poppies and seeds at the QFC on Holman Road.

The post color guard participates in Evergreen Washelli Cemetery’s Memorial Day event.

Post Hosts Shredding Event

Bring out your shred! Bring out your shred! But it’s not time to shred yet. It soon will be… on July 8th!

We will have a ProShred shredding truck in our parking lot from noon to 3 p.m. on July 8th. You are encouraged to bring sensitive papers that you want to shred. Watch the operation from the time you deposit the papers into the bins until they are turned to confetti before your eyes.

Post members, members of other veterans organizations and members of our community may shred documents in return for a donation to help defray the cost of the operation.

Please remember that the charge for shredding is at least $1.00 per pound at companies that accept papers for shredding and that you surrender control of your documents in those cases.

If you plan to attend the event, please RSVP on our Facebook event page.

Commander Tamayao’s Farewell Note

As the old adage says: “All good things must come to an end.” There is an end to everything, to good things as well. That sums up how I feel about my period in office as Post 3063 Commander.

During my tenure, I have experienced many “good things.” It was rewarding to see participation and involvement of comrades in various activities, events, meetings and socials throughout my time of command. The House Committee met and worked hard to make sure the post operated with fiscal responsibility. Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger worked tirelessly to ensure many requirements were met and ensured that the post was sufficient with day-to-day tasks. The Color Guard participated in events that not only fulfilled requests, but also brought favorable publicity of our post. Editor Alyson Teeter-Baker continues to put together a high caliber newsletter which enhances communication to the membership. There is increased member participation in District 2 meetings, Department VFW workshops and training and attendance at state and national conventions. All of this shows how involved and active our post is.

There were others who forwarded reports to Department Headquarters and made sure certain requirements were met. We achieved over 100 percent membership. These contributed to the post receiving White Hat status for the post commander and quartermaster, the second consecutive time this has happened since last year. My thanks to those involved.

While the “fun” of being your commander comes to an end, it is not the end of things facing the post. Membership continues to be paramount. We need to continually achieve 100 percent membership to mitigate losses due to normal attrition. We should ensure help for veterans, be it through visits at area facilities, at our post, or through services such as with comrade Gail Engler, post service officer. We need to continue efforts to attract younger eligible veterans to join. In addition to becoming active members, they can be leaders for the future. Our post’s infrastructure needs addressing and it is essential that our financial resources remain strong. The membership will eventually have to determine the best courses to take regarding these matters.

As I leave, incoming Commander Pete Krawitz will be faced with various issues that were not resolved or completed within my 12-month tenure as commander. However, I am confident of his capabilities and his military and civilian backgrounds will help the post continue as a vibrant and active post. I wish him well with his new position.

Yes, all good things do come to an end; but that does not mean the end of my involvement with our post or the VFW. There are many things yet to accomplish and I intend to continue to be involved. It has been an honor to serve as Ballard Eagleson Post 3063 Commander. Thank you for this wonderful and fulfilling opportunity.

Yours in Comradeship,

Nestor Tamayao