Category: Commentary

Commander’s Corner: February 2025

Comrades,

As we start the new year, I’d like to remind everyone of a few important updates and opportunities to engage with our post.

First, we’ll hold a swearing-in ceremony during the Feb. 6 business meeting. If you haven’t participated in one since joining, please come—it’s a meaningful tradition that connects us to our shared mission.

Looking ahead, officer nominations for 2025-2026 begin in March. As a volunteer-led organization, our strength lies in the dedication of our members. If you’re interested in stepping up to help share the workload and make running the post more of a team effort, please talk to me or Quartermaster Joseph Mesa. We need more hands to ensure our legacy remains strong.

Finally, as part of our redevelopment exploration, we’ve hired a consultant to help guide us through the process. One thing is becoming clear: the future of our post depends on the strength and engagement of our membership. That’s why I’m asking you to join us for a members-only social on Feb. 20, where we’ll discuss our challenges and identify potential solutions. Your input is critical as we plan the path forward.

Save the Date! We’re gearing up for our Vietnam Veterans Recognition Social on March 15. This is a meaningful opportunity to show our appreciation and give our Vietnam-era comrades the recognition they deserve. Let’s make this a team effort—volunteers are key to ensuring this event is a success. Sign up to volunteer here! 

Let’s work together to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for VFW Post 3063. I hope to see you at these upcoming events!

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Commander’s Corner: January 2025

Comrades,

As we close out 2024 and look toward 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous work we’ve accomplished together at Post 3063. It’s been an honor to serve as your commander for the past three years. Together, we’ve navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and built a foundation that ensures our post remains a vibrant and impactful part of our community.

This year I encourage each of you to consider how you can help shape the future of our post. In March, we’ll hold elections for the next slate of officers, and I want to emphasize how critical it is for new leadership to step forward. Fresh ideas, new energy, and diverse perspectives are essential to our continued growth and relevance.

While I plan to stay involved in communications and community relations, I believe the time has come for others to take the helm. I’m confident that among our membership are passionate individuals ready to carry forward our mission of serving veterans, their families, and our community. If you’ve ever considered stepping into a leadership role or supporting the post in a greater capacity, now is the time to take that step.

Let’s work together in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition, continuing to build on the progress we’ve made. I look forward to seeing many of you at our meetings and events and hearing your ideas for how we can make 2025 another successful year for VFW Post 3063.

Thank you for the trust and support you’ve shown me over the past three years. Here’s to a new year of opportunity and success for our post!

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Commander’s Corner: December 2024

Comrades and friends,

Join us for an evening of festive cheer at our Annual Holiday Party!

Date: Friday, December 20
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
Dinner Served: 6:30 PM

Celebrate the season with your fellow members, friends, and family as we enjoy:
🎵 A special performance by the Top of the Hill Barbershop Quartet
🎄 Delicious festive food and desserts
🎉 Recognition of participants in our post-level Youth Essay Contests
🎁 A small holiday gift for all youth in attendance

Last month our Veterans Day Open House was a resounding success, with so many from our diverse community coming together to celebrate veterans. Let’s do it again for the holidays! Bring your family and friends to enjoy the festive atmosphere and recognize the achievements of our talented youth.

We’re also accepting donations that evening for our annual Ballard Food Bank Drive. Please consider bringing non-perishable items to help support local families in need this holiday season.

Please RSVP by December 17 to help us plan for meals and seating. Let us know how many people will be attending, including children, and any dietary restrictions.

RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling/texting 206-701-9259.

We look forward to celebrating with you and spreading holiday joy at this wonderful annual tradition!

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Commander’s Corner: Veterans Day 2024 Edition

Comrades,

As we approach Veterans Day, I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of this time of year. It’s not just a day for remembering—it’s a time to reconnect with the values that define us: service, sacrifice, and camaraderie. These values are at the heart of everything we do here at VFW Post 3063.

On Nov. 11 starting at 9 a.m., we will be hosting our Veterans Day Open House. This event is more than just a community gathering—it’s a chance for us to come together as a post, to honor our shared experiences, and to welcome others into our fold. Whether through displaying artifacts, sharing stories, or simply being present, every one of us has something valuable to contribute. We also need volunteers! Please see this sign up for available slots.

I encourage all of you to take part, not just in this event, but in the life of our post. As members we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Together we have the power to create lasting connections, support each other, and ensure the legacy of our service lives on in our community.

Let’s make this Veterans Day a true celebration of who we are and what we stand for. I look forward to seeing you there.

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Commander’s Corner (October 2024)

During our Sept. 5 business meeting, we voted to adopt the VFW Post 3063 strategic plan. This plan is a roadmap that addresses our current challenges and sets clear goals for the future. The strategic plan outlines several key goals: increasing member participation, redeveloping our post into a central hub for veterans, ensuring financial accountability, and enhancing veteran recruitment and entitlement awareness.

Our newly formed Strategy Committee is working to implement these goals, especially membership participation. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to volunteer their ideas and time to improve the health of our post.

Goal two is redeveloping our post and we recently hired a project manager (and Navy retiree), Brian Lauer. You may see him pop in for meetings or stop by the post during office hours since he’s in the midst of the redevelopment discovery process. We’re excited to work with him to help reach our goal of redeveloping into a central hub for veterans.

FYI: we’re hosting a Halloween-themed concert fundraiser for our Post 3063 Relief Fund on Oct. 26. You can buy tickets now on Eventbrite. Thank you to Past Commander Joe Tiffany for organizing! 

Youth essays are due at the end of the month on Oct. 31. Please spread the word! Now is go time.

Lastly, mark your calendars for Nov. 11. We’ll be hosting a Veterans Day Open House and lunch at the post. The flyer is included below.

If you want to get involved with any of these initiatives or events — we can always use more help! — please contact me at [email protected] or 206-701-9259.


In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander