Category: Adopt-a-Unit

Veterans Day Recap

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our Veterans Day Open House. We had an amazing turnout and it was incredible to see our community come together to honor our veterans. Special thanks to World War II veteran and Post 3063 member Clarence Rankins Jr., Councilmember Dan Strauss, and Maj. Gen. Jimmy Collins for helping make the day even more memorable. We’re also grateful for the support of the Washington National Guard‘s 181st Brigade Support Battalion, King County Veterans Program, Troops 100 & 8100 Seattle, and all our friends, family, and neighbors. Your presence made this day truly unforgettable. Special shoutout to our volunteers who made the event so successful, from the burger burn to clean-up.

Scholarship presentation

On Sept. 15, post members presented the inaugural Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063 Freedom Scholarship to SGT Arleen Gonzalez from the Washington National Guard’s 181st Brigade Support Battalion (Post 3063’s adopted unit). She received $2,000 to use towards her pursuit of a college degree. Congratulations, Arleen! Also thank you to the 181 BSB leadership and soldiers who were present to recognize the momentous occasion.

181 BSB Change of Command

On June 7 Comrades Teeter and Salazar attended the Washington National Guard‘s 181st Brigade Support Battalion’s Change of Command and Change of Responsibility Ceremony at the Seattle Armory. The 181 BSB is the post’s adopted unit so we bid farewell LTC Amanda Ranney (pic 1) and CSM Troy Martin and thanked them for strengthening our bonds between the BSB and the VFW. Congratulations to LTC Brooke Muhich (pic 2) and CSM Thomas Rushing on their new assignments and we look forward to future collaborations with them and the BSB! The Adopt-a-Unit Program assists in building relationships between the VFW and our military members.

Post presents adoption certificate

Quartermaster Harold Hamilton (second from left) and Post 3063 Adopt-A-Unit Coordinator, Alexander Salazar (second from right), presented the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)’s official Adopt-A-Unit certificate to the Washington National Guard’s 181st Brigade Support Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Troy Martin (left), and Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. Chaz Bantle (right) on April 13, 2024.

Previously we adopted two 181 companies but felt compelled to adopt the entire unit since there was interest from both the Guard and VFW leadership for providing more support. Over the course of the previous year, we participated in a variety of events with the 181, including a static display at our post at our Armed Forces Day social and Veterans Day Open House. In addition, their leadership attended our fundraiser and the Post 3063 commander attended their Trunk or Treat event at the Interbay installation. We also hosted a holiday party and donated relief fund money to another party.

Post 3063 is offering a scholarship to deserving soldiers as part of our effort to strengthen ties with the unit. We look forward to offering continued support to the unit’s soldiers and families as we head into the next VFW year!