Category: History

WWII veteran turns 100

We honored Clarence Rankin, a World War II veteran, on Sept. 7 as he celebrated his 100th birthday. Nestor Tamayao, past commander of VFW Post 3063, attended the celebration at St. Benedict’s Church to present Clarence with tokens of our gratitude. On behalf of our post, Nestor presented Clarence with a card, a VFW cap, a $100 bill, and a complimentary membership. These gifts symbolize our appreciation for his service during the war and his continued contributions to the community. From his early days in Illinois to his service in the South Pacific, and his active role at St. Benedict’s Church, Clarence’s life is a testament to dedication and community spirit. Today, he remains engaged with life through woodworking, spending time with family, and meeting friends. Please join us in wishing Clarence Rankin a very happy 100th birthday!

Magnolia Vietnam Memorial

On April 25 Comrades Teeter and Mesa attended a meeting with representatives from the Seattle Parks Department, Carleton Park Garden Club, and various community organizations to outline plans for a significant renovation of the median strip adjacent to Catharine Blaine K-8 School, home to the Blaine Vietnam Memorial. Post 3063 had previously donated funds to clean the memorial in 2015 and look forward to collaborating with the committee on renovating the memorial.

Commander’s Corner (April 2024)

At our post’s “Welcome Home” Vietnam Veterans Recognition Social on March 21, we witnessed an evening of heartfelt connection and healing. We saw firsthand the power of giving our Vietnam veterans the recognition they’ve long deserved. The event was a reminder of their sacrifices and the importance of honoring all who serve, no matter the conflict.

Some shared emotional stories, revealing the deep scars left by their service and the harsh reception they faced upon returning home. These moments underscored our duty to separate the warrior from the war, affirming our commitment to respect and support ALL veterans.

I’m grateful for everyone who contributed to making the evening memorable, especially our Vietnam veterans, and Colt, owner of neighboring Luna’s Landing Dog Care, whose catering added warmth to our gathering.

To all who served: We stand with you, yesterday, today, and always.

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Students interview with Vietnam veterans

On March 18 our post comrades and Vietnam Veterans Joseph Mesa and Russ Seelig interviewed with students at Bellevue Big Picture School, a grades 6-12 choice school in the Bellevue Public School District. Students were interested in learning about veteran experiences in Vietnam… how they became involved, what moments stick with them still, and how their experiences they had there shaped the years since.

The school was very appreciative of the time Russ and Joseph spent with them. They each sat for two interviews with students, and then paired up for a final unscheduled session with two other students. According to the school, “This was a powerful afternoon for all. We are so grateful for you sharing your experiences and reflections… Thank you all for your help with this, for your service, and for your honesty and candor.”

Last World War II Post 3063 member passes away

On Thursday, January 18, 2024, VFW Post 3063 Comrade and our last World War II veteran, Edward “Ed” Roy Westing passed away at age 97 in Seattle. Ed was born June 19, 1926 in New York, NY to Carl and Anna (Brünges) Westing.

He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Army Air Force where he was stationed in the Pacific with the 20th Air Force. Ed graduated with a business degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1972 and worked at Westinghouse in Baltimore, Maryland as a technical writer for more than 20 years. He was passionate about chess, receiving a meritorious service award from the U.S. Chess Federation in 2019. For many years Ed wrote a chess column for the Jeffersonian Newspaper in Towson, Maryland, and was the longtime president of the Towson Chess Club and member of the Maryland Chess Association. Ed was also known for his love of movies and his impressive book collection. He relocated to Seattle in 2016 to be close to his daughter and enjoyed frequent visits to the Seattle Swedish Club and the National Nordic Museum. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith, of 35 years. He is survived by his daughter Karen, son-in-law Chintan, and extended family and friends.