Category: Post Business

Newsletter Places Third in National Contest

Courtesy of VFW.org


The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) announced the winners of the 2021 National Publications Contest April 30, 2021.


Covering the 2020 calendar year, this year’s Publications Contest garnered 56 entries, surpassing last year’s 39 submissions.


Entries for the contest derived from 35 Posts/Districts and 10 Departments. There were four submissions for the “Best Magazine” category and 12 submissions for “Best Feature Article.” Of the 56 entries, 16 placed.


Two non-VFW-affiliated journalism professionals served as judges for the competition. This is designed to guarantee impartiality and objectivity in the judging.


The VFW congratulates all entrants for their hard work and service to their respective members. The pool of entries this year proved to be very competitive. Awards will be mailed in June to each Department for distribution.


The winning publications for District/Post Publications, Small Frequency (printed 1-4 times per year):


Grand Award:
Veterans of Mount Prospect (Post 1337)
John DeGroot, Editor
Department of Illinois


Silver Award:
VFW Post 2016 News
Ski Iworsky, Editor
Department of Massachusetts


Bronze Award:
Ballard Eagleson Patriot (Post 3063)
Alyson Teeter, Editor
Department of Washington

Commander’s Corner (June 2021)

MEMORIAL DAY has a specific purpose and maintaining that purpose is important.

While there are dozens of ways that honor America’s fallen on Memorial Day, we don’t want to lose sight of why and for what it was intended.

Memorial Day was established as a way for the country to set aside time to honor the troops who had given their lives in service to America. It was not founded in joy with the promise of bringing glee each year, or to cash in on discounts from nearly everything from cars to nail polish. Despite what the day has evolved to in American culture, it actually was established to honor and remember America’s fallen.

The current troops need not be thanked, just because it’s Memorial Day, as they deserve respect and gratitude every day of the year. But this day is set aside specifically for America’s fallen from EVERY war.


While marching in a Memorial day parade or attending one of the many Memorial Day services are certainly great ways to honor the fallen, just simply taking a few moments of reflection and appreciation of what this day was meant to be, is just as appropriate and meaningful…


So, sleep in on that perfect mattress you got on sale, or grill some steaks, and enjoy the day. Just don’t forget to raise a glass in honor of those service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.


– Commander Joe

2021-2022 Officers Installation Ceremony held

Former VFW District 2 Commander Carl Cristopherson installed the 2021-2022 slate of elected and appointed officers of VFW Post 3063 on May 6. 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: Joe Fitzgerald
Sr. Vice Commander: Bryce White
Jr. Vice Commander: Alyson Teeter
Quartermaster: Harold Rodenberger
Chaplain: Joseph Mesa
1 Year Trustee: Nestor Tamayao
2 Year Trustee: Joe Tiffany
3 Year Trustee: Robert O’Brien
Adjutant: Shennae Curtis
Service Officer: Joseph Mesa
Judge Advocate Dan Stokke
Surgeon: Bob Lehman
1 Year House Committee: Pete Krawitz
2 Year House Committee: Russ Selig
3 Year House Committee: Gail Engler

Commander’s Corner (May 2021)

The VFW 2021 National Convention scheduled for July/August in Baltimore Md has been OFFICIALLY CANCELLED!


BUT – NOT EVERYTHING IS CANCELLED!


Sunshine, Spring, Love, Kindness, and Hope have not been cancelled.


…and our Post is not cancelling anything!


However, we do have to make adjustments. In spite of the Governor’s office announcing the possibility of going back to phase 2, the Post will continue moving forward as it has throughout the pandemic months, making adjustments to our meetings and other commitments as needed.


This takes me to our upcoming business meeting on May 6th and the Induction of the 2021-2022 Post Officers Ceremony.


The ceremony will be will be conducted at our Post by Past District Commander Carl “Chris” Christophersen who is also the current Commander of  Blackburn-Aurora Post 3348. This meeting will be made available to all members via Zoom as usual, and for this meeting – there will be in-person attendance allowed as well!


BUT – in-person attendance will only be allowed to those members who have been vaccinated!


After much consultation and discussion on this matter, – for now, and although we desperately recognize the need  to “return to normal” – this is the adjustment we have deemed necessary in order to proceed safely with in-person meeting attendance.


So… There you have it. Get vaccinated!


Get vaccinated and you too can attend this next business meeting and induction ceremony in person! 


-Commander Joe Fitzgerald

Hybrid Approach to Business Meetings

We had our first in-person gathering at a business meeting in more than a year during the April business meeting. It was a hybrid event with some who tuned in via Zoom. There were a couple technical hiccups but going forward we think regularly using Zoom will allow more participation from our membership.

For those members who are vaccinated, they are welcome to attend our business meetings in person starting in May.