Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063
"No One Does More for Veterans"
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s 3rd Quarter 2018 newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Commander and Quartermaster updates; Post Garners Recognition at Convention: All State, Newsletter; and Post 3063 in the News.
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By Pete Krawitz
First, I’d like to thank you all for voting to have me stay on as the post commander for another year. I’m very humbled by the privilege to serve you and the community in this capacity. The rest of the leadership team and I look forward to continuing to work with you to build off the momentum that we’ve been building over the years.
I’d like to take a minute to reflect and celebrate some of our successes in the 2017/2018 term. It’s been a busy 12 months for Ballard Eagleson, but our hard work has paid off. This was evident at the Department of Washington convention when were informed that we achieved 111% of our membership goal, which now makes 3063 the largest post in the District. We also achieved the coveted “All State” status for the second year in a row. We even earned 1st place in the Department’s newsletter competition. We have a long list of successes this year and needless to say, I’m very proud to be a part of this post. Many thanks to all of you who helped get us here.
As our post community continues to grow, so will the challenges. Ballard, like the rest of the Seattle area, is changing rapidly. If we want to continue to be relevant in the community and serve veterans, we need to adapt and change with the city. “Change or Die” was the message that the VFW national rep delivered to us at the Department Convention. Thankfully, Post 3063 is in much better shape than some other posts around Washington State, but we still have a lot of work to do if we want to ensure our relevancy and long-term existence in Seattle. Over the next month, I’ll be working with the post leadership team to draft up our strategy, goals, and initiatives for the 2018/2019 term. We will need your help to make this next term just as successful as the last. I look forward to working with you all for another year!
“Singapore summit offering hope to Korean war veteran, Korean-Americans, too.” Comrade Al Simpson spoke to KIRO 7 News about his thoughts on the U.S.-North Korean summit. He reflected on his service during the Korean War and his hope for a brighter future. Check it out at https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/singapore-summit-offering-hope-to-korean-war-veteran-korean-americans-too/768641285.
“Seattle war memorial to lose battle guns, drawing criticism even as city cites safety, costs” The Seattle Times reported on the removal of the Dewey gun batteries from Woodland Park. The parks department said that Post 3063 suggested the city place a plaque in place of the guns. Read the article at https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-war-memorial-to-lose-battle-guns-drawing-criticism-even-as-city-cites-safety-costs/.
By Alyson Teeter
Post delegates attended the VFW Department of Washington’s 2018 State Convention in Bremerton June 21-23. The convention started with a joint session with the auxiliary that featured numerous guest speakers, including Governor Jay Inslee and VFW Auxiliary National President Dee Guillory. During the joint session, awards were also presented, and our post newsletter, the Ballard Eagleson Patriot, won first place in the Class I category.
Various committees met for business, by-law changes were voted on, and department leadership was elected and installed for the new year. Our very own District 2 comrade, Linda Fairbank, was installed as the 2018-2019 VFW Department of Washington Commander.
Friday evening there was a banquet and more awards were presented. Commander Krawitz and Quartermaster Rodenberger received white hats for achieving All State Post status, which was achieved by completing various reports on time, reaching membership goals, attending district meetings/workshops, participating in community activities, and other factors. Post 3063 achieved approximately 111% of the post’s membership goal for the year. Around 10% of commanders and quartermasters in the state receive the white hat.
VFW Past National Commander Jim Mueller represented national leadership at the convention and read a speech on behalf of VFW Commander Keith E. Harman at the banquet. The overarching message of the speech was survival. The VFW’s numbers are dwindling and posts must evolve or they will disappear. VFW Auxiliary National President Dee Guillory also spoke and she announced a new strategy to allow auxiliaries to stay open if a post closes its doors. Overall the convention was a great success and Post 3063 was well represented.
VFW District 2 Commander Linda Fairbank installed the 2018-2019 slate of elected and appointed officers of VFW Post 3063 on May 3. First nominations were made in March, followed by second nominations and an election in April. Officers do not take office until July after the department commander is installed.
Congratulations and good luck to the new leadership team!
Commander: Pete Krawitz
Sr. Vice Commander: Joe Tiffany
Jr. Vice Commander: Joe Fitzgerald
Chaplain: Bill Griffith
Quartermaster: Harold Rodenberger
1-Year Trustee: Aaron Stoltz
2-Year Trustee: Russ Seelig
3-Year Trustee: Jon Guncay
1-Year House Committee: Doug Maines
2-Year House Committee: Jordan Houghton
3-Year House Committee: Alyson Teeter
Adjutant – Alyson Teeter
Judge Advocate – Dan Stokke
Surgeon – Tiffany Cavin
Adjutant – Alyson Teeter
Service Officer – Gail Engler
Officer of the Day – Anthony Rose
Guard – Anthony Rose
