Author: ateeter

Commander’s Corner (December 2021)

Happy holidays…and a Christmas wish!


As we are about to close out yet another Covid year and become immersed in the Christmas holiday season that heralds in the New Year, I would personally like to extend a very “MERRY CHRISTMAS” wish to each and everyone of you!


As you know, next week will be our last business meeting of the year, and with that I do have a special Christmas wish of my own for that day and beyond. It’s a very simple wish.


That our post membership attendance at the business meetings increase to levels that are more in line with what our actual membership is.


I understand the crippling effect that Covid has had on attendance and that there are some who just won’t be able to attend yet. But as vaccinations increase and Covid levels decrease, the time has come for us to be getting back to post business. It’s time to start getting back to the post!

For some, it may be coming to your first business meeting. We have gained dozens of new members since this Covid stuff started a couple years ago, not to mention however many others we gained before that! Whatever those numbers end up being, we have only had one or two new members showing up at any given meeting.


The few other members that also attend are the old standbys: the staff and other regulars who are always there so we can actually conduct a meeting. We need more than that. We need both the old and the new membership in attendance. We need you to come to the meeting and see what we do. We need your input to help us as we move forward with the many endeavors that the post undertakes. That can only happen if you are in attendance. So please do your best to join us. It starts with next week’s business meeting! We look forward to seeing you.


One of the casualties of all this has been that our membership oath and induction ceremony has not taken place in a very long time. (Note: This is where you typically receive your Membership Pin.) In an effort to finally correct this, we will be conducting the induction ceremony at the onset of our January 6, 2022 business meeting. That’s in one month!


If you have not taken the VFW membership oath, please show up at the January business meeting. There will be others to join you. It is painless, and only takes a short amount of time. You need to do this. If you have already been through this ceremony please come and join us as we meet and welcome new members. Thank You.


Commander Joe Fitzgerald

Service Throwback: Joe Fitzgerald

Here’s a photo of our Comrade Commander Joe Fitzgerald during his time in the Navy in 1964. He served as an Electronic Technician from 1962-1966 and was stationed in Charleston S.C. on the USS BORDELON (DD 881) right after the Cuban Blockade. They were involved in the Santo Domingo Uprising 1965 and subsequently awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The BORDELON operated primarily in what’s known as the Bermuda Triangle.

We’d love to see your photos too! Submit them to [email protected] or drop a copy off at the office.

Commander’s Corner (November 2021)

As we wind up the fundraiser auction and raffle, we must extend a heartfelt thanks to each of the people who stepped up make this happen. But while thanks just doesn’t seem to be enough, the post is truly indebted to Kay Seelig and the entire band of volunteers.  THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!

Additionally, I want to focus on a special thanks to the members of the Burien Kiwanis in, you guessed it, Burien, of which I have been a member for several years now.

This club sits on ten acres in the heart of Burien located 20-25 miles south of Ballard and provides the use of their camp to any youth group in the state free of charge! That is their volunteer shtick. 

A couple years ago while attending yet another Tuesday evening meeting at their clubhouse, I happened to mention to a couple of the members about our post’s upcoming spaghetti fundraiser in the hopes of selling a couple tickets.  
Shortly after the meeting started one of them stands up and announces to the group of about ten or so (typical attendance numbers) of our fundraiser that benefits veterans, etc. and that they should pony up for the vets! 

Before I left I had a full book of tickets sold to them! (worth $200) and no questions, “Just give the tickets to needy vets.” Not only that but one of the other members announced that they should put together gift baskets to help us with the auction. Well, they did that too to the tune of four or five specialty baskets (Lego, golf, wine, cigar, dog/pet) gifted to the post. The retail value of each basket was between $100 -$150.  (This is what they do for their own fundraisers.)

Point is, they jumped at the opportunity to help vets in any way that they could! “If it’s for the vets, we’re in!” Their generosity has continued each year since. No questions asked other than, “What can we do?!” 

This year things got a little convoluted with the Covid restrictions and unfortunately no tickets went to them. But they still managed to come up with the same type of gift baskets for our raffle. 

Then, during the Oct. 26 meeting, the Kiwanis past Lt. Governor put out an unsolicited plea even though our fundraiser was all over. “These are vets- they need our help!” In the spur of the moment, $20 bills started popping up on the table next to me! They totaled $300 from a total of 16 members who happened to be in attendance! 


“IF IT’S FOR THE VETS, WE’RE IN!!” 
This is obviously a very patriotic group which in itself tends to warm the cockles of your heart,  but their generosity and willingness to help vets, “in any way we can,” speaks volumes to the character of the entire membership of the Kiwanis Club of Burien. So very appreciated!

Just thought you ought to know.

-Commander Joe

Quartermaster’s Update (November 2021)

Some quick notes as we head into November.


We have decided to hold the November, and future business meetings (until further notice) in person with a Zoom option. Members and guests who are fully vaccinated may attend in person, others please tune in via Zoom, using the directions that are elsewhere in this newsletter.


We are running way behind in drawing for free life memberships from those who have attended two meetings and who are present at the current meeting, in person or via Zoom. Please attend a meeting and take advantage of the very favorable odds that you might win a free life membership.


The November social will be our Thanksgiving dinner. The same vaccination policy will apply to in-person attendance. Others may pick up a takeout dinner. Please remember that all socials and other dinners will be by reservation only – whether in person or take out. To make reservations, please text or call me (206-972-2135), or email at: [email protected].  


For the November dinner, reservations must be in no later than noon on Monday, November 18th. 


Our annual fundraiser was held in October this year. Attendance was less than in years past due to a variety of reasons, but based on early returns, it looks like it was quite successful. I’ll have a full report at the business meeting on November 4th. Meanwhile, many thanks to Co-Chairs Russ and Kay Seelig and all those who helped by soliciting or donating prizes, volunteered in the kitchen and at the hall, or contributed their hard-earned bucks to make the event successful.


Please remember our typical fall/winter weather presents challenges when out and about. Darkness, wind and rain make it hard to see pedestrians, so remember to drive defensively and keep a weather eye out for the unexpected person, animal, bike or car that might pop up from the darkness.


Yours in Comradeship,

Harold