Category: Post Business

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.


Quartermaster’s Update (April 2022)

Top of the news (at least our news) this month is the relaxation of Covid protocols. Beginning with our April business meeting we will be following state and local guidance with masks optional, proof of vaccination not required, social distancing and hand washing encouraged, and common sense required. One big lesson learned during the pandemic was, “If you’re sick, stay home.” Please don’t come to the post with a cold, flu or Covid symptoms, or any other sickness, just so you can make an appearance. Please stay home, protect the rest of us, and get well soon! 


Our business meetings will be in person with a Zoom option for those who prefer not to attend in person and those in remote locations. Zoom info can be found elsewhere in this paper.


Speaking of remote locations, we have many members who live in outlying areas or even in other states and countries. Some people who move away from our local area transfer to other VFW Posts, but others prefer to remain members here. I’ve spoken with many of those who enjoy our newsletters, website and other communications. Here’s a hearty “Thank You” to each of you remote members who maintain your membership here in Ballard. If there’s anything we can do for you, let us know. Meanwhile, please Zoom to our meetings when you have a chance. 


Not to neglect our local members, “Thank You” to each of our members for maintaining their membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition to the benefits you get from our organization, your membership benefits millions of other veterans as our National officers work to obtain and maintain benefits veterans have earned by their sacrifices in service to the country. As you all know, there is strength in numbers and your membership adds to the strength of those numbers. 


Our post has drawings at business meetings for free life memberships. The rules are simple: Once you attend two meetings you are eligible for the drawing, but you need to attend either in person or on Zoom to participate. 


As we get back to a more normal way of life, we will be doing more of our community service activities. In May there will be a “Day of Service” in conjunction with a local community organization. May 24th we will have a community “Shredder Day” when we will have a shredder truck come to our parking lot to shred personal papers. We will accept donations to offset the cost of the truck. In June we will have a booth at the Ballard Seafood Fest to engage with the community by passing out Buddy Poppies and membership applications to those eligible. When the VA Hospital allows we will resume bringing good cheer and conversation to the veterans there and at other locations in our community. We also will be holding a “clean up” day at our post. Please watch for details of these and other activities, as many volunteers will be needed to make these things happen. 


During the past two years, many of you have participated in our Social Night take-out program. During the height of the pandemic we had no choice, but now that things seem to be returning to normal, it would be good to make the Social Night more social by getting together in person for dinner, camaraderie, etc. I’m wondering if you feel strongly about in-person dining or about continuing the “take-out” option. If you have strong, or even weak, feelings one way or the other, please let me know. As usual you can reach me via email ([email protected]), text or phone (206.972.3135).


Thanks for being a member of our VFW Post, count your blessings, and enjoy Spring, 

Harold 

New Addition to Post Library

Did you know that our post has a library specializing in military history and other military subjects? Our library started in 2014, with a donation of books by Comrade Bill Hoeller, who served as Post Librarian for several years. Comrade Pio Park donated the fancy bookcase pictured and the books on its shelves were donated by Comrade Ed Westing. 


If you are interested in military subjects, feel free to stop by during office hours or during our monthly meeting or social nights to discover the perfect book. We also accept donations, not only of the military subjects but others as well. 


Interested in helping out? We need a new Post Librarian. Please contact QM Harold (206-972-2135) or Post Commander Joe Fitzgerald (206-777-5364) if interested.


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.

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.