Category: Commentary

By Harold Rodenberger

The VFW was formed by volunteer veterans of earlier wars seeking to help and socialize with other veterans of those wars. As the organization grew, many local posts were chartered with the same goals.

Our post was chartered in 1926 by volunteers who felt strongly about helping and socializing with their fellow veterans. Those men (only men in those days) of the post, and ladies (only women in those days) of the soon to be founded auxiliary, worked long and hard to raise money to keep the post vibrant and eventually to build a building that became their home away from home. Those dedicated volunteers started the race and carried the first baton.

As the years passed, those members passed on and others stepped up to keep our post alive and well. In the forties and fifties we had baseball and bowling teams, a drill unit and an honor guard. There were weekly bingo games and other fundraisers. In the late sixties, we even had a bar and lounge for a few years. All of those activities required many volunteers to support the post.

In addition to those volunteers, there are many other members who are volunteers in spirit. They help by keeping their dues paid or moving up to life or Legacy Life memberships. As the old saying goes, “There is strength in numbers” and those members, local and remote, keep us strong through their memberships.

As the deadline neared for me to submit this final quartermaster’s update to our editor, I reflected on the more than forty years that I’ve been a member of the post. I have played only a small part in keeping the post going forward. It was the synergism of many people working together that kept us alive and well.

Now it is my time to pass the baton. I have been honored to serve as your quartermaster for the past ten years, and even though I’m stepping down as quartermaster, I will continue to help out in any way I can, for as long as I’m able.

I salute those who came before, all of you current members, and all of our new volunteers who will continue to run the race and carry the baton into the future for Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063.

Greetings comrades! There’s a ton of action happening at our post and we need this to be a team effort. Have you wondered what our VFW post actually does? Well, I created this “Mind Map” of our post to outline what we do at the operational level. Did you know Harold Rodenberger was performing a bulk of this work while Quartermaster? This is unacceptable and as he “retires” from the position we all need to do our part to meet our mission requirements. On that note, we’ll be starting the 2023-2024 nominations process at our March 2 meeting. Thank you to everyone who volunteers to take on a leadership position.

This weekend, March 4-5, a local boy scout troop — led by an Eagle Scout applicant — will paint the lounge. We’ll then get to work placing and hanging memorabilia. Eventually we’d also like to replace the lighting, furniture and freshen up the bar area. For more details about the redecorating plan, check out this document.

Our March 16 social is going to have a twist: it’s doubling as a fundraiser for District 2 (our next higher VFW organizational element). Tickets are $20, which is an awesome deal considering the food, entertainment and camaraderie you’ll reap.

Also in March we’re hosting our first ever flag recycling event on the 25th at 2 p.m. at the post. We’ve collected more than 300 discarded flags. We used to dispose of the flags by burning them but neighbors complained and we agreed: this is not an environmentally friendly solution. We did our research and discovered that discarded flags can be properly disposed of by shredding and recycling the fabric, which is a win-win! If you have a pair of fabric shears and would like to help shred, please join us! Also feel free to drop off your unserviceable flags.

 March is a month to honor our veterans of Vietnam and Operation Iraqi Freedom. On March 20, 2003, President George W. Bush officially launched Operation Iraqi Freedom so this year is the 20th anniversary. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by 45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Lastly, I want to commend our Service Officer, Comrade Joseph Mesa. He embodies the VFW Motto, Nobody Does More for Veterans. He volunteers his time to help veterans and family members with the VA claims process. He is sought after far and wide due to his commitment to service and excellence. Thank you Joseph for your continued service! You are the best of the best.

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter

By Harold Rodenberger

New Year’s 2023 greetings. In Asia, it will be the year of the Rabbit. In our post and throughout the VFW, it marks the beginning of the second half of our VFW year. Our post has been making good progress accomplishing our mission during the past six months. In addition to those already involved, YOU can become part of the action. We need volunteers for committees and other positions. If you have time to spare and the desire to help veterans and the community, please contact me (206-972-2135) or Commander Aly ([email protected]).

Speaking of Asia, our post has been hosting a Tai Chi class led by instructor Bill Laprade. It is free to veterans and families, and is a good way to stretch, discipline breathing, and build muscle and balance. In addition to Tai Chi, beginning January 23rd we will offer sessions in Yoga on Mondays from 1:00-2:00. You can get a twofer by attending the yoga class, taking a short break from 2:00-2:30 then getting another hour of good stuff from the Tai Chi class. It’s a great deal, two hours of mind and body building in return for a little time.

Recently there have been many changes in veterans benefits. From additional presumptive diseases caused by Agent Orange during the Vietnam era, to burn pit toxicities during Iraq and Afghanistan, to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure, new connections to veteran diseases and disabilities have been documented. Our Service Officer, Joseph Mesa, stands ready to help. If you think you have a condition resulting from your service, reach out to Joseph (206-488-8981) and he’ll guide you to get the documents filed.

On Veterans Day weekend, Comrade Wally Michl distributed Buddy Poppies for a few hours at a grocery store. Wally was a good ambassador and people were generous, donating several hundred dollars in that short time. We need more volunteers to distribute Buddy Poppies and keep the VFW and our veterans in public view. Please consider volunteering and contact Commander Aly or me to get details.

All of us have learned during the past three years that masking, hand washing, and distancing are effective in preventing respiratory illnesses. The flu, RSV and Omicron variants are waiting to take advantage of the unwary and careless. Your post officers and I care about your health and welfare. Let’s put what we’ve learned to work and safeguard ourselves and others.