Category: Commentary

From the Commander (July 2019)

By Joe Tiffany

 

First I’d like to say how proud I am to be installed as Post Commander of Ballard Eagleson Post 3063. As I write this I am getting ready for the Department of Washington 99th State Convention in Vancouver, Wash. where I officially become Post Commander. I look forward to our upcoming year. We have many exciting items at hand. There are, and will be, many opportunities for all hands to be involved. Please don’t be shy; get involved and join in. If you have a question please ask. I am of the school of thought that the only dumb question is the one not asked.

 

Thank you to Commander Pete Krawitz for your two years of leadership and “always moving forward” mentality that you brought to our post. I’d also like to say a special thank-you to Jan (Pete’s mother) who is always going above and beyond with her help; and the unsung heroes – the House Committee and Trustees. Maybe not every member understands your duties or functions, but those that do are extremely grateful. That also applies to the entire leadership team. And last, but surely not least, is Quartermaster and District 2 Senior Vice Commander Harold Rodenberger who is the post’s backbone. Without his conscientious efforts, our post just wouldn’t be the squared-away post it is.

 

Thank you all.  I look forward to working with each and every one of you.

Quartermaster’s Update (April 2019)

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Change is in the air. Spring began last month. The days are longer and warmer. Pollen counts are up and the birds are busy building nests.

 

Spring is bringing changes here at your post also.

 

Our commander is having to devote more time to family with their newborn first child. With that, a demanding work schedule and commute times, he has asked our Senior Vice Commander Joe Tiffany, and Junior Vice Commander, Joe Fitzgerald, to assume to leadership roles at post meetings. Pete is continuing to participate via electronic means.

 

I’m pleased to report that our membership is changing too. First, we have thirteen more members now than what we ended with last year. That brings us to 108.3% of our goal. To me it’s even more important than we have more younger members. Last time I checked our roster the median age of our members has gone down to 68 years old. That means half our members are less than 68. We have 36 members under the age of forty. When we take into consideration the fact that our youngest member is 25, with the next youngest 28, it shows we are attracting a good number of younger veterans.

 

We are also making good progress on our remodel investigations. The architectural firm has completed their concept sketches for the three levels of remodel. They have also consulted with the City to determine what can be done at each level to get the best return on our investment without triggering massive code upgrades. We are still waiting for the final presentation which will lay out cost estimates for each of the options, including the fourth option of sale or demo/rebuild.

 

Meanwhile, we have had an assessment for hazardous materials to show us what needs to be done in that area. Over the years we have had problems with the sewer so we had a company run a camera through the lines to determine what needs to be done to improve that drainage.

 

Once we get the final options and cost estimates from the architectural firm, we will bring the package to our members for their input, full discussion and decision. That part also will take time so hopefully we can begin the process in the next few weeks.

 

Meanwhile, get out there and enjoy the spring weather. And keep an eye out for potential new members for our post. As we grow and expand into new activities to benefit the veterans in our post and community, we will need more volunteers and members to help accomplish our mission.

From the Commander (April 2019)

By Pete Krawitz

 

Comrades,

 

I know you haven’t seen much of me over the last few months. I have a good excuse for my absence. I’m delighted and proud to report that Clare and I welcomed our first child (Evelyn Isla Krawitz) into the world on the 23rd of January. Clare and I soon learned that this baby runs our life now. Baby Evelyn is skilled at eating, sleeping, filling diapers and distorting the space-time continuum… Lately, I haven’t been able to figure out what day of the week it is…  I’m still having a hard time believing it’s already April…

 

A big thanks to Sr Vice Commander Joe Tiffany and Jr Vice Commander Joe Fitzgerald for leading the post meetings while I’ve been away. The leadership team has been keeping me updated via phone and email on the latest and greatest. It’s been wonderful to see some new activities and events taking place at the post. One such event was the recent “Shamrock and Shenanigans” on St. Patrick’s day. I hope that we continue to have volunteers step up and coordinate similar activities in the future.

 

I’d also like to congratulate the post on reaching 100% membership for the year. At the time of writing, the database shows our post at 108%. Once again, our top recruiter was Comrade Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger. Thank you, Harold and all of the other recruiters who brought new members into our post this year.

 

Lately, the demands from my career and family have increased exponentially, leaving very little time for other activities, including VFW work. However, I do intend to finish out this term as your commander as there is still some work I plan to complete. One such project I need to see through is the Post 3063 Renewal Study. The house committee and consultants have worked very hard on this project over the last few months, and it’s nearing completion. With that, expect to see me at the Post business meetings once again over the next few months.

 

I look forward to catching up with many of you at our April business meeting.

 

Yours in Comradeship,

-Pete

 

Voice of Democracy Winner’s Essay: Why My Vote Matters

Kate Cavanaugh, a senior at Holy Names Academy, is our Voice of Democracy winner. Kate read her essay during the December business meeting and received a standing ovation. Kate also placed first at District 2. Here’s her essay in full:

 

Kate Cavanaugh
Voice of Democracy essay (2018)
Prompt: Why My Vote Matters

 
My friend’s English teacher once told the class that the founding fathers were terrorists. He said they were ISIS, they were the Taliban. We were appalled and met with him to talk about it. He said it was an analogy. We thought it was a questionable analogy at best, and a terrible accusation at worst.

 
This accusation tears at the very foundation of our nation, and sadly, this is where some people are at in our country right now. Rather than tearing at our roots though, we as a country need to be grateful for the accomplishments of the founding fathers; for the declaration, which established our country and its values; for the constitution which illustrates our rights; for amendments that give us the tools to defend these rights, and even for the freedom to participate in our democracy through voting.

 
These rights are a wonderful thing, but it’s often easier to focus on the rights and forget that we have duties that come with these rights. Voting is one of these duties; it’s part of being a responsible citizen. Furthermore, to ignore the rights that men and women have fought and died for is not only lukewarm and mediocre, but also an insult to their memory. We must not let their sacrifice be wasted on us.

 
I have a close friend who refuses to vote; she thinks it won’t make a difference. While it might not make everything just the way she might want it to be, it does make a difference. It may be slow and subtle changes over time, but that is preferable to the volatility of an absolute ruler who can change anything to exactly what he wants in an instant.

 
The perspective that voting does nothing is one of despair, but America is not a country of despair. I once heard it described in this way: America is comedy, not a tragedy. A tragedy ends in death and despondency. Meanwhile, a comedy has hope; every failure is just a setback, and if you persevere, it has a happy ending.

 
The idea that the founding fathers were terrorists is also a form of despair: how could a country that was founded by terrorists ever be just or free? Except, the founding fathers were far different than terrorists. Rather than destroying, they created something new. It wasn’t perfect, but they built a country founded on the idea that all men are created equal; that government is a contract between itself and the people; that intrinsically, each and every person has inherent freedoms that must be protected.

 
Voting is about freedom. Which leads to the question, what is freedom? The common idea of freedom is to do whatever you want. However, there are limits on freedom: laws against assault, murder, et cetera. These restrictions exist to protect other freedoms, so while we have restrictions and limits on our freedom, when the laws are created and enforced in the right way, it makes us more free, not less. Pope John Paul II famously said, “freedom consists not in doing whatever we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” We have the freedom to vote or not to vote. We must do what we ought, however; we must respect and honor those who have sacrificed far more than we ever will so that we may have this freedom. We ought to be true to our duty as citizens. We ought not to give into despair, but rather to hope.

Quartermaster’s Update (January 2019)

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Halfway through our VFW year, it’s time for a State of The Post post.

 

Officers and members are sustaining our meeting attendance at healthy levels. Commander Pete is using the round table format, joint public meeting with our Auxiliary prior to the regular business meeting, and good visual aids to make a lively and interesting meeting. If you haven’t been to a meeting lately, come on in and join the excitement.

 

Kudos to our volunteer kitchen crew; Chef Kay, Linda, Jan, Jessica, Justin, Dan and others, who have delivered great spreads for the monthly socials. Can’t forget those who faithfully come out for socials to enjoy gourmet meals and support our post.

 

Our post Honor Guard participated in several ceremonies, most recently providing honors and firing the rifle salute for the Wreaths Around America ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery, Dec. 15. Commander Joe Fitzgerald, Drill Captain Anthony, along with expert riflemen Dan, Bill, Tiffany and Norm, put on impressive ceremonies, no matter the occasion.

 

We have been working hard on membership. At the time of this writing we made it to 100% of last year’s numbers.

 

Our Voice of Democracy winner, Kate, won the District 2 competition and advances to the state level. Our Middle School Teacher of the Year winner, Dan, also won at District level and moves up to the state competition. If you know a student from 5th grade through high school, please encourage them to enter one of the three levels of competition. If you know of teachers who go above and beyond, please consider nominating them.

 

We’ve hired an architectural/construction firm to assess the current state of our property and present us with recommendations for updating or remodeling our building. They are making good progress. Our Building Committee has toured similar venues and is developing strategic plans as we move forward.
There was a good fundraiser in September thanks to many volunteers, especially the Seelig family. Proceeds went to our Post Relief Fund which allows us to aid deserving charities and help our own members.

 

In the past six months we’ve accepted over 75 unserviceable American flags for proper disposal. Several people have told me how relieved they are to have found a way to properly dispose of their unserviceable flags and thanked our post members for performing this vital service.

 

We held one secure shredding party this year and have another scheduled for 8:30 am to 10:30 am, Jan. 21. Please bring your documents and encourage your friends and neighbors to come, in return for a donation to defray the cost of this truck.

 

Bottom line, our post is thriving, more events are happening, and officers and members are working on strategies for future development and growth. Thanks to each of you for being a member and supporting our veterans, their families and our community.