Author: ateeter

King County Vets Consortium Chair Discusses Prop 1

During the Post 3063 October Social on Oct. 19, 2017, Ryan Mielcarek, chair of the King County Veterans Consortium, presented information about Proposition 1, “The King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy.”

 

Ryan Mielcarek, chair of the King County Veterans Consortium, presented information about Proposition 1, “The King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy” Oct. 19, 2017.

According to the King County Voter’s Guide, “If approved, this proposition would replace an expiring levy and fund capital facilities and regional health and human services for veterans and military servicemembers and their families, seniors and their caregivers, and vulnerable populations. It would authorize an additional property tax for six years beginning with a 2017 rate of $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for collection in 2018.”

 

“Funded services would promote outcomes related to healthy living, housing stability, financial stability, social engagement, service system improvement and access, criminal justice system diversion, education and work force development, and civil legal aid to vulnerable populations. Proceeds would also be used to provide small organizations that offer such services with technical assistance and capacity building, such as legal, accounting, human resources, and leadership development and services support.”

 

For more information about Prop 1, go to https://tinyurl.com/y7rt5nqq.

 

Comrade Turner’s Daughter Winning Fight Against Cancer

You may remember the story of Comrade Evan Turner’s daughter, Lillian, who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, Stage 4S in April.

Comrade Turner and his oldest daughter receive the $500 check.

 

Post 3063 voted to donate $500 to Evan and his family to help with her fight against cancer. The check was presented to the Turner family during the post’s monthly business meeting Oct. 5, 2017. We are ecstatic to report that Lillian’s prognosis is good and she’s a true warrior in her fight against cancer!

 

If you would like to donate to Lillian’s fight, go to https://www.gofundme.com/lillians-battle-with-neuroblastoma and updates are posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1936194449992290/.

 

Members visit Tacoma’s Horse Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Tacoma

By Nestor Tamayao

 

Recently Comrade Aaron Stoltz and I visited a museum that we never knew existed. Nestled within a residential neighborhood in Tacoma is the 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Museum. Founded in 2005, the museum showcases an overlooked part of American history: the Buffalo Soldiers.  The museum began operating in 2012.

 

Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, which was formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Buffalo Soldiers later comprised other regiments, including the 9th, 24th, 27th and 28th cavalry divisions. These African American Soldiers got their nickname by the Native American tribes they fought. The term became a generic term for all-black soldier units and is used by U.S. Army units that trace their direct lineage back to the 9th and 10th Cavalry.

 

Notable facts about the Buffalo Soldiers include:

  • First to experiment with bicycles.
  • In 1898, saved the 71st New York in the now famous charge up San Juan Hill.
  • Instrumental in the victory of the Spanish American War.
  • Represented over 20 percent of all U.S. Calvary Units until early 1890.
  • 19 Congressional Medals of Honor.
  • Five West Point Graduates.

 

The museum is filled with many artifacts, memorabilia and fascinating information and facts. It is one of only two of its kind in the country dedicated to the Buffalo Soldiers. The other is the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas. The museum has hosted a tribute to the famed Buffalo Soldiers with an evening with famed actor Danny Glover, who starred in the 1977 film Buffalo Soldiers.

 

The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays. For more information go to http://www.buffalosoldierstacoma.org/ or 253-272-4257.

 

Michael Lawrence Receives Legacy Life Membership

Comrade Michael Lawrence (center) is presented with a plaque and a Legacy Life Membership for his service to other veterans by Commander Pete Krawitz (right) on Oct. 5, 2017.

Post 3063 presented a Legacy Life Membership to Comrade Michael Lawrence for his exemplary service and tremendous generosity at the October business meeting on Oct. 5, 2017.

 

Mike headed up the post’s visits to the Seattle VA Medical Center for numerous years and donated large amounts of money to the VFW Children’s Home and Post 3063 Relief Fund. He is the epitome of a veteran serving veterans and his impact will be felt for years to come. Thank you, Mike!

 

Mike made a heartfelt appeal that a Post 3063 comrade step up and take charge of the VA Volunteer Coordinator position. The Seattle VAMC needs our help! Please contact Commander Krawitz if interested.

Quartermaster’s Update (October 2017)

By Harold Rodenberger

 

September was a good month for our VFW Post.

 

We’re off to a good start in the membership department with six new members on board. This puts us in the lead for our district but the year is still young. Our commander has set a goal of fifty percent above our 100% goal so it will take steady growth to achieve that lofty goal. Every one of us needs to keep an eye out for potential new members. Remember, very few new members ask you if they can join, almost all need to be invited before they will join our ranks.

 

We held a great fundraiser on Sept. 9. About 130 lively participants had a tasty spaghetti dinner and did their best to take home some of the many attractive raffle prizes available. Special thanks to Chairman Russ Seelig who organized the event, solicited many of the prizes and did yeoman duty as sous chef. Hats off to Kay Seelig for cooking her famous sauce and the rest of the dinner. My favorite part of the dinner was that complex salad which was dressed just right, tossed just prior to serving and served as a perfect foil to the rich spaghetti. Thank you to the Seelig family and the other volunteers in and out of the kitchen for their work. Kudos to all our other volunteers who gathered raffle prizes from local businesses and individuals, sold dinner tickets to friends and neighbors and, most importantly, attended the event. As I write this, the numbers aren’t final yet but it’s safe to say we made a lot of money for our relief fund and had a good time doing it.

 

Speaking of food, Chef Kay was out of town for the social so Russ and helpers stepped up and served a Vietnamese meal. If you were there you know it was good, but if you were absent, you missed Banh Mi, spring rolls, salad etc., that brought a refreshing taste of Vietnam to our Ballard VFW Hall.

 

Our two September flag retirement ceremonies had to be cancelled. One because of the smoky air and one because of unpredictable winds. We will be having at least one replacement ceremony this month, depending on weather, so please keep an eye on the website if you want to join in this special ceremony.

 

Commander Krawitz has refined the new meeting format in a more inclusive and stimulating way. If you haven’t been to a meeting in the past three months, please plan to attend one of our meetings and join in the new approach.