Category: History

100 Years of Service

VFW Post 3063 Quartermaster Joseph Mesa (left) and Commander Harold Hamilton (right) pose with the National Commander’s 100th Anniversary Commemoration, recognizing 100 years of VFW legacy originating with the Queen Anne post, first established in 1926, and carried forward today by Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063.

The commemoration was presented to Quartermaster Mesa at the Department of Washington Mid-Winter Convention and formally presented to the Post during the Jan. 15 business meeting.

While Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063 has not been located in Ballard for the full century, this recognition honors the combined history and service of the posts whose legacies were united, reflecting a continuous century-long commitment to veterans, service members, and their families.

Mark your calendars for our 100th Anniversary Celebration on March 28 where we’ll also recognize our Vietnam Veterans.

Memorial Stadium groundbreaking

Comrades Bob Kettle and Aly Teeter attended the groundbreaking for the Memorial Stadium and Wall project at Seattle Center June 26. Comrade Kettle also serves as a Seattle City Councilmember and has fought for the proper treatment of the Memorial Wall since 2022. Due in part to the advocacy of Post 3063, the Memorial Wall has achieved Landmark status with the City of Seattle and will be renovated while the stadium is rebuilt. We look forward to attending the ribbon cutting for the renovated Wall and Stadium in 2027!

Vietnam Veteran Recognition Social recap

On March 15 we gathered for our Annual Vietnam Veterans Recognition Event, and it was truly special. The ceremony, dinner, reflections, and camaraderie made for an unforgettable evening. To all our Vietnam Veterans: Welcome Home. Your service and sacrifices are never forgotten, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to recognize and honor you.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and helped make the event a success. Seeing our community come together in support of our Vietnam Veterans reminds us why these gatherings are so important.

During dinner, Vietnam Veteran Bill Laprade spoke about the benefits of Tai Chi and encouraged veterans to give it a try. He teaches a free class every Monday at 2:30 pm at the post and would love to see more veterans join. If interested, reach out to Bill at [email protected]!

Our VA Work Study intern, Joseph Rissi, conducted a narrated POW/MIA ceremony at the event.

Wall of Heroes: Clarence Rankins Jr.

From the VA Puget Sound: “Leaders from VA Puget Sound, Madigan Army Medical Center, Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063 and Washington’s 7th congressional district honor VA Puget Sound’s 2024 Wall of Heroes Inductee, 100-year-old U.S. Army Technician 5th Grade Clarence Rankins Jr. (at lectern), during our annual Veterans Day event. Rankins’s daughter-in-law also shared a heartfelt tribute to her “dad” that made us smile and occasionally laugh out loud.”