Category: Community Outreach

Quartermaster’s Update (October 2018)

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Here in the Pacific Northwest, the annual migration of the sun is more noticeable than in other places farther south.

 

The autumnal equinox (September 23rd this year), when our southbound sun crosses the equator each year, reminds the natural kingdoms to prepare in earnest for the winter. It reminds me that kids are back in school, the weather is turning colder and it’s time to air out the woolens. Well, maybe people don’t do that last so much anymore, but you get my drift, winter’s coming.

 

For VFW members, it’s time to get back to attending meetings and socials. Chef Kay has been putting on gourmet dinners for our social nights and Commander Pete’s new meeting format has drawn more attendees and participation. Remember, you can tune in our meetings no matter where you are by hooking up to our Zoom Remote broadcast. Connection info will be sent to your email address of record earlier on the day of the meeting. Warm up that laptop or smartphone and join us.

 

Why not make a note to save the first Thursday each month for our business meeting and the third Thursday for the social?

 

It’s also the time to check around our neighborhoods for potential members. New members usually don’t join our post if they aren’t asked. Even if your neighbor isn’t qualified, she may know someone nearby who is. The only way to find out is to ask.

 

Autumn is a good time of year to distribute Buddy Poppies. Our Buddy Poppy chair is Comrade Tiffany Cavin. She has a supply of special 9/11 commemorative poppies. Please contact her at 253-327-8906 or [email protected] if you are interested in helping with this project.

 

November brings Veterans Day, another day to help our poppy-making veterans. Our Ballard teams will be distributing Buddy Poppies that weekend. Again, if you are interested in helping this vital effort, please contact Comrade Tiffany.

 

Finally, as the sun moves farther south, remember to be safe out there. Street crosswalks, sidewalks and even the steps to your back porch can be dangerous as daylight ends earlier. Keep an eye out for hazards and especially watch out for children.

Comrades Cavin and Rose Fight Food Insecurity, Teach BLS

By Christopher Dresnek

 

Post 3063 is lucky enough to have a Victory Garden this year thanks to the hard work of Comrades Tiffany Cavin and Anthony Rose.

 

America is at war. Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063 therefore is creating its own Victory Garden behind its post location! Thanks to Comrade Tiffany Cavin for such great initiative and to all those who helped to get this garden going.

A Victory Garden is a meant to enhance national food production during war, and their war is on food insecurity. The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food is what defines food insecurity, and as Comrade Anthony mentioned, it is something his friends and family have dealt with for a long time.

 

In addition to learning about Victory Gardens and food insecurity, Anthony also learned how to finally grow something besides tomatoes.

 

Comrade Tiffany will harvest vegetables before meetings

Fruit of their labor.

and have them available for pick up. She has tomatoes, corn, various squash, greens and many other tasty veggies to try.

 

Feel free to talk with her about her passion project, it has been a labor of love and one with which she hopes to spread the message about food insecurity.

 

Basic Life Saver Course

When Comrade Rose was in the military he was one of his brigade’s BLS (Basic Life Saver) instructors and went on to the same role at Madigan Army Hospital.  After he got out of the service it seemed a natural fit to be able to continue using those skills.

 

He came up with the idea of teaching BLS and making it a fund raiser as a way of giving back to the school who welcomed him so warmly upon his discharge, Seattle Central.  The scholarship is named for Anthony Diaz, the school’s Veteran Certification Official, and has raised more than $2,000 so far.

 

Please contact comrade Comrade Rose at [email protected] to donate to the scholarship or take a future BLS course.

Annual Spaghetti Fundraiser Volunteers’ Hard Work Pays Off

By Alyson M. Teeter

A sampling of the raffle prizes included art, dinner gift certificates, and vacation houses. There was something for everyone as there were more than 60 raffle prizes.

 

 

Many hours of work paid off for VFW Post 3063 volunteers during the VFW Post 3063 Annual Spaghetti Fundraiser and Raffle Sept. 8, 2018. The annual spaghetti fundraiser, which has been held at the post hall for a number of years, brought in $5797.77. The net proceeds will be deposited in the Post Relief Fund, which benefits a variety of causes, from local veterans in need — including those at the Seattle VA hospital — to the VFW’s National Home for Children.

 

The hall was jam packed with comrades,

The Seelig Family cooks and serves dinner at the fundraiser.

family members, and friends due in part to the Seelig family. Two-year Trustee Russ Seelig and his family performed a bulk of the work, from collecting raffle items to cooking the food. Their dedication to executing a phenomenal event was evident in the amount and quality of raffle items, the large turnout, and the taste of the food.

 

 

Many other members helped behind the scenes by collecting or donating

The post hall was full of members, family, and friends enjoying each other’s company while waiting for dinner to be served. Children were welcome at the event and entertained by the post’s toy collection.

raffle items and selling tickets. Robert Kettle narrated and kept the event running smoothly. The Post 3063 Color Guard performed a flawless posting of the colors. Jan Bryson provided front office support before, during, and after the event.

 

Thank you to all who attended and come again next year!

 

Post and Boy Scouts Team Up to Retire Flags

Comrade Dan Stokke, with assistance from Boy Scout Troop 80 out of Magnolia, retire flags using the post’s portable incineration device.

Comrade Dan Stokke, with assistance from Boy Scout Troop 80 out of Magnolia, conducted a flag retirement ceremony in the post parking lot July 21, 2018. They honored unserviceable American Flags by properly disposing of them in the post’s portable incineration device. If you or your neighbors have an unserviceable flag, bring it by the office during regular office hours and we will add it to the collection for the next retirement ceremony.

 

 

Comrades Dan Stokke (left), Gail Engler and Pete Krawitz (right) pose with Boy Scout Troop 80 during the flag retirement. Comrade Elizabeth Servey helps lead the troop and is pictured in the back row.

Post Commander Presents Award to AFROTC Cadet

Post 3063 Commander Pete Krawitz presented the VFW Award to University of Washington Air Force ROTC Detachment 910 Sophomore Cadet Ryan Lowery during the UW ROTC Joint Service Award Ceremony May 24, 2018. Cadet Lowery was recognized for his active engagement in AFROTC and his leadership traits. He’s the son of a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and hopes to become an intelligence officer once he receives his commission.

 

Post Commander Krawitz presents award to Cadet Lowery.
Post Commander Krawitz presents award to Cadet Lowery.

 

Post 3063 Adjutant Alyson Teeter (2002 Det 910 Alumnus) and Commander Pete Krawitz pose with Cadet Ryan Lowery.
Post 3063 Adjutant Alyson Teeter (2002 Det 910 Alumnus) and Commander Pete Krawitz pose with Cadet Ryan Lowery.