News – Page 3 – Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063

Comrade Brunstad’s Puget Sound Honor Flight Recap

By Mike Brunstad

WOW! I had an awesome trip on the Puget Sound Honor Flight (PSHF) in late April 2022. The whole trip was amazing, from the time I arrived at SeaTac on April 23 to arriving back at SeaTac the night of April 25.

I learned the mission for the Puget Sound Honor Flight is simple: to honor American veterans by inviting veterans to Washington, D.C. for two days to view our nation’s memorials. The whole trip is FREE to the veteran. Each veteran is assisted by a Guardian. I meet my assistant Guardian for the first time at SeaTac. My Guardian did call me before the flight to introduce herself. You can have your own Guardian travel with you. The cost of having your own Guardian to travel with you is a $1,000 donation, which is tax deductible.

There were three WWII veterans, 11 Korean veterans, and 37 Vietnam veterans on my trip, plus Guardians for each veteran and Puget Sound Honor Flight staff and Board Members.

The first day (Saturday) was a travel day. I felt honored and truly unworthy from the time I arrived at SeaTac until we returned to SeaTac. The arrival at Baltimore was a huge surprise and an unbelievable experience. A memory I will not forget. I have to admit the whole mission put together by PSHF was outstanding.

Day 2 started with a very good breakfast at the hotel. Each veteran was given an Honor Flight T-Shirt (red). We boarded our buses at 8 a.m. for a full day in D.C. We visited the following memorials with a lot of time at each stop:

World War II Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Korean Memorial
Vietnam Memorial (we had a boxed lunch before getting back on the bus)
FDR Memorial
Navy Memorial

We then returned to the hotel and had another banquet Sunday night.

Day 3 started just like Day 2, good breakfast at the hotel then we boarded our buses at 8 a.m. for a full day in D.C. We visited the following memorials:

Arlington National Cemetery
Changing of the Guard
Marine Corps Memorial
Air Force Memorial

We had a box lunch before getting back on the buses for our trip to the Baltimore Airport.

When we arrived back at SeaTac, it seemed like the whole airport knew that we had arrived HOME. It was just an AWESOME experience. After a few days I have been able to bring closure to a few outstanding items from my past. All I can say is THANK YOU to PSHF.

If you’re interested in signing up for the Puget Sound Honor Flight or would like to donate, go to pugetsoundhonorflight.org.

Comrade Brunstad (right) during his Honor Flight trip.

Memorial Stadium Neglect, Future in Question

Comrade Bob Kettle has called attention to the neglect of the World II Memorial Wall at Memorial Stadium on Facebook. The wall includes nearly 750 names of Seattle Public Schools alumni etched in stone to honor those young servicemen who in WWII gave their last full measure of devotion to our country.

According to Bob, “Now blighted memorial sits at the site. A rundown parking lot abuts it, with fountains and lighting long neglected, and trash strewn about. Graffiti covers the ticket stand that serves a “welcome” to the area.”

Comrade Kettle is in touch with the city and is investigating who to coordinate with to ensure the memorial remains in good condition. He is also researching what the plans are for the wall in the case the stadium is renovated. He will report back to the post leadership and membership his findings.

All Three Youth Essay Winners Place at District Level

This year we had entries for all three of the youth essay contests.

Nina Kieserman, a 15-year-old sophomore at Lincoln High School recited her district-winning Voice of Democracy essay at the Dec. 2 post business meeting (pictured left).

Rylan Calica, a 14-year-old eighth grader from Rochester, was our winning Patriot’s Pen entrant. He won for his grade at the district level (center).

Leela Baker, an 8-year-old 3rd grader from B.F. Day Elementary took first for the Youth Essay and also won at the district level (right).

State-level award winners will be announced at the Department’s Mid-Winter Conference in January. Congratulations and good luck, kids!

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!