On August 12th, Comrade Rodenberger and I attended the Department of Washington’s “School of Instruction” in Everett. This event gave us the opportunity to hear from our new State Commander (John Bradburn) and Auxiliary President (Laurie Lukas). They discussed their vision/theme for the 2017/2018 calendar year. Department’s theme this year is TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More. The State Leadership team is particularly interested in the VFW and Auxiliary working together to achieve more.
Post 3063 is already making some changes to work more closely with our own Auxiliary. Earlier this month, I met with our Auxiliary president (Margaret Philips) to discuss some ideas and plan a few small changes that will hopefully increase the collaboration between our two groups. We will announce a few of these minor changes at our September business meeting.
While the summer is coming to a close, we do have a great event planned to see us into the fall. Our annual Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle Fundraiser will be held on September 9th. We hope to see you, your family, and your friends there! While we are on the topic of fundraisers, if you have any ideas or wish to lead a fundraiser down the road, please let me know. I’ve already had a few members approach me with some great ideas.
Lastly, have you ever wondered which pieces of legislation the VFW supports? You can find the list here at this website: http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/bills/.
The VFW’s 118th National Convention took place in New Orleans, La. July 22-26, 2017. It was attended by six post delegates and one alternate delegate. They were Commander Nestor Tamayao, Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger, Junior Vice Commander Joe Fitzgerald, Trustees Aaron Stoltz, James Williams and Russ Seelig, and Surgeon Dan Stokke.
While the initial business session occurred on Monday, July 24, there were plenty of events on the Saturday and Sunday before. In addition to registration, there was a health fair, various committee meetings, a Gold Star Families reception, membership workshop, VFW programs workshop, veterans’ benefits forum, Protestant service, Catholic Mass and a First Time Attendees Reception for members like Comrades Fitzgerald and Stokke.
Washington delegation members, including post Comrades Tamayao, Stoltz, and Stokke, walk the newly installed Commander-in-Chief around the delegate floor.
At the Joint Opening Session on Monday, VFW and Auxiliary members attended the formal opening of the 118th National Convention by VFW Commander-in Chief Brian Duffy. A video was shown that recapped the many successes of the VFW in 2016-2017.
When the business session resumed after lunch, the hall seating was reconfigured by state. Each department commander put a placard bearing the state’s name on a pedestal. State officers, post delegates and members sat with their respective state.
The business sessions on Monday and Tuesday had various speakers and the awarding of honors to recipients who were active in VFW programs and to sponsors of the convention. Tuesday evening highlighted a patriotic rally.
On Wednesday, resolutions and by-law changes were introduced and voted on. The morning culminated in the election and installation of national officers for the ensuing year. As part of the installation process, elected officers parade throughout the large hall followed by delegations from each state with the department commander holding up the state’s name on a placard. The service song of each elected officer is played as the parade commences and is repeated until the parade finishes. It is quite the pomp and circumstance.
While the convention contains many work-related items, there was still some time for fun and relaxation. The hospitality rooms afforded a place where a member could relax, meet members from other states, and enjoy food and libations. There are many places of interest in New Orleans with its many museums, churches and restaurants with fine cuisines. The French Quarter was also a go-to destination. Some members opted for a boat swamp tour which gave a close-up look at a swamp as well as the resident critter: the alligator.
The annual National Convention is an integral part of VFW business and each VFW post is required to register one or more of their respective number of delegates each year. The hosting city considers the convention an economic boost as it can bring in up to 10,000 visitors. Next year’s National Convention will be in Kansas City, Mo. in July.
Veteran patients at the Seattle VA Medical Center need OUR help! Post 3063 lost its VA volunteer coordinator and we need someone to step up and take charge of this important duty. This position will need to coordinate with the hospital and the post to set up hospital visits during holidays. The post has been absent previous holidays and we’ve heard that veterans have noticed.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Quartermaster Rodenberger at [email protected].
Would you like to know about local veteran deals or volunteering? Well you’re in luck: the post has created email lists for veteran deals and volunteer opportunities! Once you’re a member of the group mailing list, you’ll have the ability to share information with the entire list.
You can now sign up for each list by emailing Adjutant Aly Teeter at [email protected]or text/call at 206-701-9259.
