Category: Commentary

Hello Comrades, Thanks to all who volunteered at this year’s Seafood Festival in Ballard. It was hot, but our membership is hotter, and we continued making connections in the community, which may gain us a couple of new members! This is why we leave the walls of our post to meet veterans and let the community know we are present and active. It was good to see new and not-so-new members bonding and representing our post. This post truly represents the best of our nation and its ideals.  I am heading to the VFW conference in Columbus the day after our business meeting. Please, tell me what I need to ask on your behalf. I have questions, and I am sure you do too. Let me raise questions for our membership to National.  As we move into the fall, let’s set a few priorities: – Our Christmas event must be fantastic.  Let’s hear ideas on how to ensure it remains memorable, as always.  – Essay Contest participation.  If you know youth in this age range, please encourage their involvement.  These soft connects are another route to getting word out. – Traditions.  There is a tendency to see tradition as outdated or quaint in certain mindsets, but our organization should not be too quick to turn away from the mythos underpinning our beliefs.  At business meetings let’s make an effort to adhere to our traditions. At your service, H2

As I write my final newsletter commentary as Commander of Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063, I find myself both grateful and hopeful. Thanks to the work of the UW Foster MBA team, I believe we’re standing at the edge of a turning point.

Over the past quarter, this group of six veteran MBA candidates worked closely with our Post to understand what’s working, what’s not, and where we can go from here. Their findings confirmed what many of us have felt: the Post has heart, history, and potential, but without deliberate action, we risk stagnation and failure.

Now is the time to seize the moment.

The recommendations we received weren’t abstract theory. They were grounded in the voices of our members: young and old, new and longtime. They told us we need to modernize our outreach, reimagine our events, and foster a stronger leadership pipeline. Most of all, they reminded us that we cannot wait for “someone else” to do the work. That someone is each of us.

We need members to step up. That doesn’t mean signing up for full-time roles or burning yourself out. It means saying yes…yes to helping organize a single event, yes to mentoring a new member, yes to attending a meeting, or simply bringing a friend. Small actions build momentum, and momentum builds community.

As I pass the torch to Comrade Harold Hamilton, I do so with immense pride in what we’ve done and with great expectations for what’s ahead. Our Post doesn’t need to be what it was in 1965 or 1985. It needs to be what our members and community need it to be today.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to standing alongside you in the next chapter, not as your Commander, but as your comrade.

In comradeship,
Commander Alyson Teeter

Comrades,

As my term as Commander comes to a close, I want to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve this Post and our veteran community.

We’ve shared moments of impact, connection, and reflection, but I would be remiss if I didn’t also speak from the heart. One of the biggest challenges we continue to face is the need for more hands, more voices, and more members stepping into the work that sustains our mission. This is not a critique: it’s a call. A reminder that the strength of this Post is not in one leader, but in all of us.

Leadership isn’t always about titles, it’s about showing up. Whether it’s helping with events, mentoring younger vets, or simply attending meetings, every action matters.

As I step aside, I’m hopeful that a new wave of energy and engagement will rise. Thank you again for the privilege of serving you. I’m not going far and I’ll be cheering for this team every step of the way.

In comradeship,
Commander Alyson Teeter

As we near the end of the 2024–2025 term, I want to sincerely thank each of you who has contributed your time and energy to help Post 3063 grow and thrive. Your involvement—big or small—makes a real difference.

I encourage every member to stay engaged and find ways to support our Post’s activities. Even a small contribution of time can have a meaningful impact. Without continued volunteer support, the strength and future of our Post are at risk.

Looking ahead, I’m honored to serve as Quartermaster for the 2025–2026 term. I’m hopeful for a year filled with new energy, enthusiastic participation, and shared progress. Together, we can set and achieve meaningful goals for our community and fellow veterans.

Thank you again for your dedication and comradeship. Let’s keep the momentum going strong into the year ahead.

Quartermaster Joseph Mesa