Category: Post Business

Commander’s Corner: February 2023

By Alyson Teeter


Greetings comrades! I’ve been back for a few days from our state’s Mid-Winter Conference and the fresh ideas I heard from VFW comrades near and far (and even our own post) were inspiring. It renewed my motivation to press ahead on our post interior refresh.

  • The Boy Scouts will paint our lounge soon and we’ll need to thoughtfully decorate in a way that is inviting to members and potential recruits. Tell me if you can help with this.
  • We must eventually address the recommended infrastructural upgrades in the 2019 architectural review but also quickly take action on low-cost/easy upgrades. 


New members — Comrades Randy Brock and Jon Thurman — had insightful thoughts about our recruiting and retention efforts from a new member perspective. His main point: we need to improve our vibe and attract post-9/11 veterans if we want to stay relevant. I totally agree. Let’s stay focused on this goal.

Speaking of recruiting, we must build off our year last year and increase our participation in local events. In addition to the Seafood Fest, we should consider staffing booths at the:

  • Fremont Fair 
  • Ballard Farmer’s Market
  • Grocery stores


Buddy Poppies, benefit information and applications are a must at all these events. Most of all we need folks willing to put themselves out there to recruit and show the community that we’re here and have a mission to help veterans.

 
Lastly, none of these plans can come to fruition without the hard work of volunteers. Our steadfast super star volunteer, Comrade Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger, would like to fully enjoy retirement and has asked that we replace him during the next election cycle, which starts in March. If the prospect of being QM scares the crap out of you, I get it. Harold has been performing duties for various post positions over the years, which isn’t sustainable. The plan is to spread the duties amongst others so that our future Quartermaster can focus on their core volunteer duties. If you enjoy business management and administration, the QM gig would be your jam. Please let Harold know if you’d like more information.

See you at Thursday’s meeting!

Mid-Winter Conference Brings Comrades and Essay Finalists to Yakima

Congratulations to our essay winners who all performed amazingly at the state level! The Voice of Democracy finalists and the Patriot’s Pen winner were recognized at a banquet Jan. 21 at the end of the VFW Department Mid-Winter Conference in Yakima.


Our Voice of Democracy winner, Annika Trippel (pictured below left), won at the district level and went on to place FOURTH PLACE at state!


Our Patriot’s Pen winner, Ciara Fitzgerald (pictured below right), won at the district level and won FIRST PLACE at state! She’ll go on to compete at the national level — best wishes Ciara!


Our Youth Essay winner, XiaoTian O’Donohue, won at the district level and won FIRST PLACE for all fourth grade finalists in the state.


Congratulations again to Annika, Ciara and XiaoTian for their outstanding efforts. Thank you for honoring veterans through your words and actions! We are immensely proud.


About the conference, Comrade Commander Teeter said, “Thank you to my motivated post comrades — Randy Brock, Mark English and Joe Fitzgerald — for tagging along and brainstorming how we can improve Ballard-Eagleson VFW Post 3063 so that we continue to evolve as a community institution for veteran camaraderie and assistance.”


Quartermaster Update: January 2023

By Harold Rodenberger


New Year’s 2023 greetings. In Asia, it will be the year of the Rabbit. In our post and throughout the VFW, it marks the beginning of the second half of our VFW year. Our post has been making good progress accomplishing our mission during the past six months. In addition to those already involved, YOU can become part of the action. We need volunteers for committees and other positions. If you have time to spare and the desire to help veterans and the community, please contact me (206-972-2135) or Commander Aly ([email protected]).


Speaking of Asia, our post has been hosting a Tai Chi class led by instructor Bill Laprade. It is free to veterans and families, and is a good way to stretch, discipline breathing, and build muscle and balance. In addition to Tai Chi, beginning January 23rd we will offer sessions in Yoga on Mondays from 1:00-2:00. You can get a twofer by attending the yoga class, taking a short break from 2:00-2:30 then getting another hour of good stuff from the Tai Chi class. It’s a great deal, two hours of mind and body building in return for a little time.


Recently there have been many changes in veterans benefits. From additional presumptive diseases caused by Agent Orange during the Vietnam era, to burn pit toxicities during Iraq and Afghanistan, to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure, new connections to veteran diseases and disabilities have been documented. Our Service Officer, Joseph Mesa, stands ready to help. If you think you have a condition resulting from your service, reach out to Joseph (206-488-8981) and he’ll guide you to get the documents filed.


On Veterans Day weekend, Comrade Wally Michl distributed Buddy Poppies for a few hours at a grocery store. Wally was a good ambassador and people were generous, donating several hundred dollars in that short time. We need more volunteers to distribute Buddy Poppies and keep the VFW and our veterans in public view. Please consider volunteering and contact Commander Aly or me to get details.


All of us have learned during the past three years that masking, hand washing, and distancing are effective in preventing respiratory illnesses. The flu, RSV and Omicron variants are waiting to take advantage of the unwary and careless. Your post officers and I care about your health and welfare. Let’s put what we’ve learned to work and safeguard ourselves and others.