Category: Benefits

Commander’s Corner (October 2023)

By Alyson Teeter

Fall is here so that means we’re in the midst of Post 3063’s fundraising season. As the Seelig family knows, planning and executing a fundraising event is no easy feat. Please show up and support your fellow veterans on Oct. 21! It only takes 15 seconds to RSVP here so do it now. (So far we have less than 15.)

Here are a few events coming up this week:
Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. – Deployment care package assembly with the Fremont Rotary at the post
Oct. 4 at 3:30 p.m. – Public comment about the Memorial Stadium Memorial Wall landmark status; contact me for details.
Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. – Monthly Business Meeting

Another big item on our radar is the VFW’s Youth Essay Program. We have the high school level Voice of Democracy contest, middle school level Patriot’s Pen contest, and the VFW WA Department-sponsored elementary school level Youth Essay contest. Encourage your family, neighbors and friends to participate and submit their essays to the post by Oct. 31.

Looking ahead to next month, we’re in the early stages of planning a Veterans Day event at the post. If you want to help with the planning, let me know at [email protected].

Five and Five Discussion Group

Comrade David Tyner, a veteran new to VFW Post 3063, felt a deep concern for the loneliness that plagues many veterans. He devised a solution: the “Five and Five” discussion group. It launched Sept. 21 and provided a safe haven for veterans to share their military experiences without fear of judgment. Thank you to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for future Five and Five discussion group opportunities.

Service Officer Update

By Joseph Mesa


The passing of the PACT Act of 2022 triggered an overwhelming amount of TV ads and misinformation. The act applies to any service member, and also family members stationed at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more from 1953 to 1987. It applies even if injuries were suffered years ago or if the service member is deceased. The new law goes beyond basic VA disability and will NOT effect current VA benefits or disability.

VA announced that it would screen all its patients for possible exposure to environmental hazards during military service, part of an effort to understand the scope of the issue and monitor veterans for related illnesses. VA officials said the 5-minute screening, a series of questions by a veteran’s primary care physician, will help the department enhance the benefits for veterans already in the system. Veterans can request an appointment for a screening or will be screened automatically during routine care with their primary VA doctor. 

The screenings are a requirement of the PACT Act and will be conducted at least every five years. Results of the screening will be kept in veterans’ health records, according to the VA. Veterans who want more information on the PACT Act or to apply for disability benefits should contact me, Joseph Mesa, at [email protected] or go to the VA website or call 1-800-698-2411.

Comrades Don Service Items for November Social

At the November monthly social many of us wore items from our service — like jackets and hats — which was quite a treat! Comrade Griffith, who sported an Army blouse from his service in the 1960s, was the lucky random winner of a Lockspot gift card. We also belatedly recognized the USMC birthday and Al Simpson being the only USMC veteran in attendance received a birthday cake from a local boy scout, Taj, who is enlisting in the USMC next summer. (We would have eaten the cake but we already had a tasty Thanksgiving meal and a sampling of homemade desserts made by Chef Kay and crew.) Wally Michl didn’t have any items left from his service but he brought a photo of himself from 1949.

It was a fun night that honored our many years of service and we’re looking forward to our holiday social Dec. 15!