Category: History

Post honors Comrade Rodenberger on Veterans Day

What an incredible day — Veterans Day — for Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s Open House and Flagpole Dedication! Despite stormy beginnings, the weather cleared just in time for a moving plaque unveiling and flagpole dedication in honor of Harold Rodenberger.

Special thanks to State Representative Julia Reed for attending, expressing heartfelt gratitude to our veterans, and sharing her family’s inspiring legacy of service. Also big shout-out to Senator Murray’s staff member, Joe Najmolhoda, for not only reading a letter from the senator but also offering invaluable VA casework expertise.

Emme Seattle brought their A-game with delicious brews, providing the perfect backdrop for meaningful conversations among friends, family, and our community.

The Washington National Guard’s 181 BSB static display captivated everyone, offering a unique glimpse into military life. The soldiers were awesome at engaging passers who were in the neighborhood.

Kids got creative with button-making, and attendees immersed themselves in informative displays, gaining a deeper understanding of our veterans’ experiences.

A heartfelt thank you to Comrade Dave Tyner for sharing a poignant poem, reminding us of the power of words to connect us all.

The media coverage from KOMO and King5 amplified the impact of our event, spreading the spirit of gratitude and celebration for our veterans.

To everyone who joined us, contributed, and participated—THANK YOU! Your presence and support made this day truly special. Let’s continue to honor and appreciate our veterans every day.

Comrades Don Service Items for November Social

At the November monthly social many of us wore items from our service — like jackets and hats — which was quite a treat! Comrade Griffith, who sported an Army blouse from his service in the 1960s, was the lucky random winner of a Lockspot gift card. We also belatedly recognized the USMC birthday and Al Simpson being the only USMC veteran in attendance received a birthday cake from a local boy scout, Taj, who is enlisting in the USMC next summer. (We would have eaten the cake but we already had a tasty Thanksgiving meal and a sampling of homemade desserts made by Chef Kay and crew.) Wally Michl didn’t have any items left from his service but he brought a photo of himself from 1949.

It was a fun night that honored our many years of service and we’re looking forward to our holiday social Dec. 15!

Service Throwback: Gail Engler

Comrade Gail Engler served in the U.S. Army and is pictured below as an E-4 in southern Germany in 1975 or 1976. She was assigned to the Headquarters, 56th Field Artillery Brigade, as a Radio Operator. The photo at the bottom is with her uncharacteristically serious looking mom in Washington, D.C. in 1997. Gail was then a Sergeant First Class who worked in Civil Affairs and her and her mother were attending the  Women in Military Service for America Memorial dedication. Her qualifying service was in Iraq in 2004 (she needs to dig up these photos!) and in total she served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve as a soldier and federal civilian from 1974-2015.


Ft. Lawton Murder Case Sets the Scene For I Corps JAG Professional Development

U.S. Army Judge Advocates, paralegals and other personnel gathered at VFW Post 3063 Jan. 28, 2022, for a professional development opportunity that involved more than simply analyzing a case study or reading a leadership book.


Members of the I Corps Office of the Staff Judge Advocate took the trip on I-5 from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to VFW Post 3063 to start their professional development with a virtual discussion with attorney and author, Jack Hamann, who wrote the book, On American Soil.

Soldiers listen to Jack Hamann, author of On American Soil, discuss the Ft. Lawton murder case via Zoom at Post 3063.

According to the University of Washington Press website:

During the night of August 14, 1944, an Italian prisoner of war was lynched on the Fort Lawton army base in Seattle–a murder that shocked the nation and the international community. It was a time of deep segregation in the army, and the War Department was quick to charge three African American soldiers with first-degree murder, although there was no evidence linking them to the crime. Forty other black soldiers faced lesser charges over the incident, launching one of the largest and longest army trials of World War II.


In this harrowing story of race, privilege, and power, Jack Hamann explores the most overlooked civil rights event in American history. On American Soil raises important questions about how justice is carried out when a country is at war, offering vital lessons on the tensions between national security and individual rights.

After discussing the case with Hamann, the group bussed to Ft. Lawton for an in person look at the scene of the courts martial and the murder.

Even though it’s a case dating back to World War II, the lessons learned relating to race, the media, and the law were relevant to the soldiers, making for a rich and immersive professional development opportunity.


Post 3063 leadership were proud to host and provide a venue for these active duty legal professionals.

Post Santa, Ann Leake, Featured in Seattle Times Video

If you’ve ever attended a post holiday social, then you’ve met our incredible Santa, Ann Leake. This holiday season Seattle Times reporter Erika Schultz profiled Ann for a video feature. If you’d like to view the video, check it out at https://www.seattletimes.com/video/f1CR1Pr2/second-generation-santa-93-shares-joy-of-the-job/. Be sure to grab a tissue, Ann is a truly an inspiration!