ateeter – Page 74 – Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063

Comrade Rodenberger Awarded State’s Veteran of the Year

We’re proud to announce that Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger was named the VFW Department of Washington’s Veteran of the Year at the 2019 State Conference! Vet of the Year

Congratulations Comrade Rodenberger, it’s so well deserved!

Here’s a congratulatory message from the District 2 Commander, Carl”Chris”Christophersen:

Comrades,

Harold Rodenberger was honored at the June 2019 VFW Department of Washington (State) Convention that was just concluded in Vancouver, WA. Harold and 3 of his fellow Ballard-Eagleson VFW Post 3063 members were in attendance (the “3 Joes”) — the 2019-20 Commander Joe Tiffany, 2019-20 Sr Vice Commander Joe Fitzgerald and 2019-20 Service Officer Joe Cassis. Harold is the long-standing Quartermaster for Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063.

The following accolades were read aloud (at the Convention Banquet) to all the attendees of the State Convention — those attendees were all from VFW District #2 (all the VFW Posts and all the VFW Post Auxiliaries). They heard the following as it was read aloud:

“Jr Vice Commander (1983-84)
Sr Vice Commander (1984-85)
Post Commander (1985-86) & (2004-08) [ 5-time Post Commander ]
Post Adjutant (1986-2004)
Post Quartermaster (2013-Present)
VFW District #2 Adjutant (2016-18)
VFW District #2 Jr Vice Commander (2018-19)
Newly Elected & Installed VFW District #2 Sr Vice Commander (2019-2020)
All-State Quartermaster (2016-18)
National Aide-de-Camp 2017-18)
VFW Commander-in-Chief’s Award for recruiting 25 new members
Awarded the Ballard Elks Community Service Plaque
Acknowledged by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Volunteered in the Post 3063 office twice a week, every week
Coordinated 4 shredding events @ VFW Post 3063 (2016-19) — inviting other VFW Posts
Coordinated 3 USA Flag retirement ceremonies @ VFW Post 3063 (2016-18) — inviting other VFW Post
Participated in 3 Honor Guard Ceremonies @ VFW Post 3063
Participated in 6 Color Guard Ceremonies @ VFW Post 3063
Made 25 visits to local nursing/retirement homes in 2018
Was a major force behind reviving the VFW Post 3063 newsletter in 2015
Reestablished regular office hours for VFW Post 3063 for the first time since 1991
Distributed Buddy Poppies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day every year since the Founding of VFW in 1889
Donated blood (his own) 6 times in 2018”

At the conclusion of the above reading, there was a presentation of the 2019 Veteran of the Year, for the VFW Department of Washington, to Harold Rodenberger.

Cheers,

Carl”Chris”Christophersen

Post Commander

Blackburn-Aurora VFW Post 3348;

District Commander

VFW District #2

Department of Washington

June 2019 Newsletter Available

Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s June 2019 newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Gourmet Chefs Serve Vets on Memorial Day; Group Travels to DC, Visits Memorials; Memorial Day Buddy Poppies; and New Member Spotlight: Comrade Joseph Mesa.

New Member Spotlight: Comrade Joseph Mesa

This is a recurring column that highlights new VFW Post 3063 members. Comrade Joseph Mesa joined the post in February 2019. Comrade Mesa is also the post’s new service officer.

What motivated you to join the VFW? My motivation to join the VFW was not entirely wanting to be affiliated with any veterans group. It just so happened I was walking by the post and decided to drop in. Harold happened to be in the office and I struck up a conversation with him. During our conversation, I stated I was in need of submitting a service connected disability primarily a PTSD claim. I had been struggling with memories of my Vietnam combat experience. He recommended I contact Leo Potts who was the Service Officer and so I did. Leo was extremely open and encouraged me to not only apply but to also register as Vietnam Veteran with VA as well as seeking mental counseling available with VA. Our discussions led to my interest in assisting other Veterans in any way I could and he informed me that the post would need a Service Officer soon since he was leaving in September. I could go on about our extended conversation regarding my decision to take on the responsibility of the Post’s Service Officer but I’ll do that at a later date if anyone is interested.

What is your military background? My military career began in October 1965 just 3 months after I graduated from high school. Basic Training was in Ft. Polk, medic training at Ft. Sam Houston, and airborne training at Ft. Benning. After my completion of airborne training, I was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and was in-country April 1966. I was involved in multiple combat operations during my tour of which has affected me mentally many decades later. I guess the most famous combat operation I was involved in was Operation Junction City, which was the first and only combat airborne jump of the Vietnam conflict. I have been awarded the Parachutist Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, Good Conduct, National Defense, and Marksman Badge.

Civilian job, education, family, hobbies, or anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself? My ancestral lineage is primarily from the Pacific Island of Guam. My father served with the Navy during WWII and Korea. After my military service, I continued my upper education at Long Beach City College with an AA degree in Business and the University of Southern California with a Business Major emphasizing in Accounting. I am the proud father of 2 sons and 3 daughters all of whom are college graduates. Also, I am the proud grandfather of 4 grandsons and 3 granddaughters ranging in ages 0 to 9.

What do you hope to achieve being a member of the VFW? My goal as the Post’s Service Officer is to continue the excellent foundation Leo has established and building on that foundation so as to provide knowledgeable, informative, and accurate information that will assist and aid all veterans and their families.

Memorial Day Buddy Poppies

Buddy poppies 2019 — Comrades Tuft and Seelig distributed Buddy Poppies at the Holman Road QFC May 27, 2019. The VFW Post 3063 Auxiliary also had a contingent at Central Market in Shoreline. The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home For Children.

Group Travels to DC, Visits Memorials

You may remember the March Irish Stew Fundraiser spearheaded by Comrade Leo Potts, who had the goal of sending a group of veterans to Washington, D.C. to view war memorials.

After months of fundraising and logistical planning, he reached his goal when a group of nine VFW Post 3063 members, one DAV member, and a few spouses departed on their trip May 17.

Over the course of the trip, the group visited various war memorials, to include the Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, and the Marine Corps War Memorial. They also enjoyed a Potomac River Cruise.

According to Comrade Potts, the trip was a resounding success and he hopes to make is an annual occurrence.

DC Group — VFW Post 3063 members, spouses, and a DAV member and his partner embark on their trip to Washington, D.C. May 17, 2019.