Day of Service: May 18

Mark your calendars for May 18 for our post’s VFW Day of Service. In conjunction with One Seattle Day of Service, we’ll spiff up the post and outside property, recycle discarded flags, and end the day with a barbecue, courtesy of Comrade Joe Fitzgerald. Family and friends are welcome to join us! Stay tuned for more details.

Commander’s Corner (March 2024)

Greetings! I heard I missed out on a fantastic social in February that was put on by Quartermaster Harold “H2” Hamilton. H2 stepped up to represent his hometown of New Orleans with some good grub and Mardi Gras trivia. If you have a special cuisine you like to cook and a theme in mind, please consider volunteering to plan a post social or cook a meeting dinner. Organizing and executing socials have fallen on the shoulders of a few in years past but this model isn’t sustainable. We will discuss more at our March meeting and in the meantime, feel free to send me your thoughts about our socials and how they should look going forward.

For our March social, we plan to honor our Vietnam Veterans in recognition of Vietnam Veterans Day later in the month. Stay tuned for details, which I’ll send out over email.

H2 isn’t only a good social host and cook, but he’s also offered to teach Yoga. He’ll hold a mid-day and evening session this month. It’s open to anyone, for free, so bring a family member or friend and come and experience “Body by Harold.” 

March is the start of spring AND VFW election season. woohoo! Nominations open at the March business meeting and we vote in April. We have a variety of leadership opportunities available so let me know if you’re interested in doing more to help the post. This is truly a team effort!

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Commander’s Corner (February 2024)

TONIGHT IS MEETING NIGHT! Consider attending to learn more about our post and our mission. Quartermaster Hamilton is cooking food, which will be served around 6 p.m. and then the business meeting starts at 7. If you can’t come physically, we also offer a virtual option via Zoom.

Our leadership focus has turned to membership, which includes recruiting and retention. Members old and new can help with these endeavors in a variety of ways, such as setting up a booth at the Ballard Farmers Market or calling expired members. To be successful, we must make this focus a team effort. (Quick plug for expiring members: renew ASAP or consider a lifetime membership, which includes a $100 rebate!)

In other news, our last World War II veteran, Ed Westing, passed away in January. Comrade Engler and I attended his service and learned he was a B-17 and B-29 gunner in World War II. This marks the end of an era for Post 3063. It’s a reminder that we need to stay in touch with our elder members and honor their legacy of service through connection and listening (and even recording their histories!). I’d appreciate it if someone could step up and volunteer to lead our outreach at local assisted living facilities. Contact me if interested.

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

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.

Wanted: Honor Guard Volunteers

We invite you to take pride in serving your community and honoring our veterans by joining the VFW Post 3063 Honor Guard. As members of this distinguished group, you will have the unique opportunity to represent the values of the Veterans of Foreign Wars while participating in patriotic events, Wreaths Across America ceremonies, and various community engagements.

Why Join the Honor Guard?

Serve with Honor: Demonstrate your commitment to honoring our fallen comrades and supporting the VFW’s mission of advocating for veterans’ rights and well-being.

Patriotic Engagements: Participate in meaningful events that celebrate the spirit of patriotism and pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for our freedom.

Community Involvement: Strengthen your ties with the local community by being an active participant in parades, memorial services, and other events that bring people together to commemorate our nation’s history.

Quality Uniform and Training: We provide top-notch uniforms and comprehensive training to ensure you represent the VFW with the dignity and respect it deserves.

How to Join:

Reach out to Comrade Joe Fitzgerald at [email protected] for more details on how you can become a part of the Post 3063 Honor Guard. Comrade Fitzgerald will guide you through the process, answer any questions you may have, and share the rewarding experiences that come with being a member of this esteemed group.