Category: Commentary

Commander’s Corner (September 2020)

ONWARD AND UPWARD!


Comrades.


I hope this finds all of you in good health and continuing to stay safe as we perhaps can start the cautious and careful process of an eventual return to some degree of “Normal”. Just IF, what, and when that normal will be remains to be seen but the signs are growing more positive by the day. There is Hope.


In the meantime all of VFW is moving onward and upward with zoom meetings. We are successfully replacing the in-person meetings at the post with our own Zoom video meetings. That success is a bit muted however, as the only people who have qued into the Zoom meetings and actually attend are mainly the Post officers, – or sometimes special guests! The bulk of our membership has been largely absent. We do understand that there are reasons why some cannot attend.


However, I do want to insure that each of you is aware that you can and should join us if you able to at all. Our Post business Zoom meetings are held at the same time as our in-post meetings were – on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm sharp and are easy to access. Some of you just won’t be able to – I get it. But there has to be more than just the board who can attend these Zoom meeting. I encourage each of you to at least try to join us. I would especially like to see the the newest and younger members at these meetings. It actually is very easy and can done on your computer, or your Pad, or your phone. If you can’t join us via video on your phone, you can still join us via voice on the phone. The Zoom meeting connection process has been widely disseminated by Comrades Rodenberger and Teeter -Baker in previous newsletters and mail. If you do have any trouble you can contact Quartermaster Rodenberger or myself to to help you with connecting.


When you bring up Zoom you will be asked for the ID Number.This is 505 701 2075. You will also be asked for the Password or Passcode. This is Ballard306. Note that this password is case sensitive as the B is capitalized, while the other letters in Ballard are lower case. Once connected you will be in a wait mode and then Harold will admit you to the meeting. It is that simple.


Thank you and see you in Thursday’s Meeting.


Yours in Comradeship,
Commander Joe Fitzgerald

Commander’s Corner (August 2020): WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE FUNDRAISER!

By Joe Fitzgerald


In past years this has been a spaghetti dinner coupled with a raffle. COVID has changed things a bit. This year we are still having the spaghetti dinner via curbside pick-up! (with limited home delivery for those in the vicinity of our post). The dinner will be available on Sept 12th from 4:30-6:00pm, and the usual $20.00 ticket price remains the same. The number of dinners is limited to 150 so be sure and get yours early! Tickets are available from post officers, online at EventBrite (details TBA), or at the office during business hours 1:00-5:00 pm, Thursdays and Saturdays in August and early September. 


To replace the raffle, the Committee has developed a fantastic Virtual Auction! 


The auction items will range from books to boats to baked goods, and also will include some very special items. All bidding will be handled via BIDDING OWL!  Go to vfwseattle.org and click on the virtual auction scrolling across the page to see how it works. It will be simple and easy to do, and a lot more fun than you can imagine!  Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger (206-972-2135), Jr Vice Aly Teeter-Baker, and Committee Chair Russ Seelig will all be available to answer any questions.


***Here is the rub though, and where we need all your help to make this fundraiser as successful as possible! 

Several of our benefactors who supplied many raffle items in the past, just are not able to financially support us this year or have even gone out of business! 


WE ARE IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL AUCTION ITEMS! and – we need all your help on this. Like: 


1) Reaching out to persons or entities that would be willing to donate an item to the Auction. (I recently contacted a butcher I know, and they agreed to donate a meat gift certificate!). This sort of thing is easier than you think! Tell yourself: JUST DO IT! The worst they can do is say NO!!! 


2) Also, handcrafted items, artwork, or homemade baked goods, can all make nice auction items.


3) Tap into your creative inner self and come up with things like Comrade Stokke who dusted off his fishing boat and is providing a fishing expedition as an auction item!  Maybe you welders out there could offer up some type of welding as an item to be auctioned off, and so on. You get the picture.


IF WE ALL PULL TOGETHER ON THIS, OUR SPAGHETTI FEED AND AUCTION WILL BE THE BIG SUCCESS THAT IT’S ALWAYS BEEN IN THE PAST.


COMMANDER JOE

Quartermaster’s Update (3rd Quarter 2020)

By Harold Rodenberger

It has been a tough three months since my last column. Many of our members and their families are in the highest risk groups, so they have had to stay close to home and isolate themselves as much as possible. To keep our post functioning we have been conducting our business meetings via Zoom. The attendance has been better than expected and we have been able to fulfill our mission in unexpected ways.

To reach out to our members, Service Officer Joseph Mesa is calling people on a rotating basis. Most days, I’m available to answer your phone calls. IF YOU NEED HELP OR JUST NEED SOMEONE TO LISTEN, PLEASE CALL ME at 206-972-2135 ANYTIME AND I WILL LISTEN AND TRY TO HELP.

Because of the virus, we’ve cancelled our traditional spaghetti fundraiser but are planning a different major fundraiser to be held in its place. Mark the date, September 12th. Further details to follow.

Our social night dinners also have changed due to the lockdown. Members pick up their meals and we deliver to those who can’t make it to the post. Chef Kay Seelig and other volunteers have been doing a great job with the dinners. Volunteer drivers have been delivering to those at home. Many thanks to the volunteers who make this happen!  Email will bring information on this month’s special dinner. Make sure you have a reservation by responding to the email or calling 206-972-2135. Because of the virus, reservations are required.

Ace Hardware has teamed up with the VFW and donated American Flags for the use of our members. If you would like to have some of these flags for patriotic purposes, please call so we can coordinate a time for you to pick them up.

This month marks the start of the new VFW year. Our new officers have been installed and are ready to keep our post alive and well during this unusual time. Every year, I mention the importance of membership because every year we lose members for various reasons. This is the time to look around and ask someone to join our post. A growing post depends on growing membership. Please help by finding new members to replace those who transfer out, go to their just reward or for other reasons fall off our rolls.

Please remember that our VFW is an equal opportunity organization. The requirements for membership are: any US citizen or National who has served in a designated combat area and an honorable discharge. There is no qualification based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, or any other factor. 

From the Outgoing Commander (3rd Quarter 2020)

My fellow Comrades,

     It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Post  Commander 2019-2020. I’d like to take this time to recognize the Post Leadership for doing all the unseen work that should not go unnoticed. Please know we are in good hands. And a huge recognition for all the hard work by the membership. Without you none of this would be possible.

     As we transition to the next VFW calendar year I’d hope that we, as leaders in our community, will continue to persevere these uncharted events at hand. I believe we can lead the way and help each other as well as our neighbors while keeping our community strong. If not us who?

     In closing, I feel the need to publicly thank a few members. Kay & Russ Seelig. Kay and her social meeting dinner crew. Wow, always a do-not-miss presentation. And our annual fundraiser. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. Simply superb.

     Lastly, my personal thanks to Harold Rodenberger. Our Post could not have a better Quartermaster. Thank you for everything you do.

Yours in Comradeship,

R Joseph Tiffany

From the Incoming Commander (3rd Quarter 2020)

Comrades! 

As we begin the new VFW year, and having the unexpected challenge of the COVID 19 epidemic thrust upon us,. “Zooming” into office is not exactly how I envisioned my first meeting as Post Commander would go! However, this is the hand we have been dealt, so here we go.

I hope all of you are continuing with safe practices and distancing as we  begin to move into Phase 2 of the return to normal from the Covid pandemic. Using masks, gloves, wipes, and social distancing protocols at least until a vaccine becomes available has been shown to be the way that we will most effectively combat “spikes” and allow us to move through Phase 2 and on.

So please, we must continue with these efforts! Above all, stay safe!

Joseph G. Fitzgerald

Commander Post 3063