Category: Post Business

Quartermaster Update for the ‘New Year’

By Harold Rodenberger 

The first month of our new VFW year has passed under the same virus cloud as the preceding three months. Nonetheless our new officers are functioning well in their new positions and Post 3063 is becoming more familiar with conducting business remotely. 

For access to our business meetings click on one of the Zoom links in the email sent out by our Adjutant. You will go to a waiting room to be admitted as soon as possible to the meeting. The waiting room screens out anyone who is not an authorized member of the VFW, and increases security.

Our third Thursday Social Dinners are still being prepared by Chef Kay. To order a wonderful meal via takeout or delivery, send an email to [email protected] or call Harold at 206-972-2135. The dinner in August will have a Greek theme; Greek salad, shish kabobs, etc., with vegetarian options available.


FUNDRAISER NEWS

As noted elsewhere in this newsletter, our annual Spaghetti Feed fundraiser for the Post 3063 Veterans Relief Fund is being held on the usual second Saturday, Sept. 12. This year, of course, we will be doing a take out (limited delivery) spaghetti dinner and on-line auction at the Bidding Owl charity fundraiser website. 

The dinner will help raise funds, so is priced at $20 per ticket for Kay’s usual spectacular spaghetti dinner with trimmings and will be limited to 150 dinners. It will be available for curbside pickup in the post parking lot from 4:30 until 6:00 pm. Tickets are available from post officers, on-line at EventBrite (details TBA), or at the office during business hours 1:00-5:00 pm, Thursdays and Saturdays in August and early September. We will need a few more volunteers to direct traffic, carry dinners to members in their cars, deliver to home-bound members, etc. If you can help in that way, please send an email to [email protected] or call Harold at 206-972-2135.

Prizes for the on-line auction are needed. During the present virus situation, it is a little more difficult to get the usual businesses to donate so we are emphasizing innovative prizes that our members can donate. Please put on your thinking cap and see if there is something you can do, make, donate, etc., that would make a prize that others would want. Personal services, hand-made crafts, fresh baked products, etc., come to mind.

The auction site is biddingowl.com/BallardEaglesonVFWPost306. The auction will be open Saturday, Sept. 12 through Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. Be sure to register before the auction and prizes are being entered onto the site daily so check in and see what you need. Payment may be made via PayPal, check or cash at the post in order to pick up your prize. If you are bidding from outside the local area, please note that shipping costs will be added to any prize that cannot be sent in a regular envelope. 

This auction is open to anyone who wants to bid so pass the word to friends, relatives and all members of the public who might be interested in bidding on some wonderful prizes to help support a worthy cause.

Post 3063 Officer Spotlight: Commander Joe Fitzgerald

This is a recurring column that highlights the 2020-2021 post officers.

Joe Fitzgerald, saluting, during the 2019 Wreaths Across America ceremony.

Tell us about your new position and what you hope to accomplish during your term.

As Post Commander, I will be working to ensure that we all move through the Covid Epidemic as cleanly as possible, so that we continue with the special programs and projects that are the heart and soul of the Post. We have an excellent team put together that is already moving forward with several of these efforts. – Scouting, Youth Service, Community Service, Buddy Poppies, and Fund Raising just to name a few. We are also renewing a commitment to support the Post Auxiliary and seeing its return to being an important and viable part of our Post. With diligence and a “Can Do” attitude we will regain recognition as an All American Post. Obstacles will always need to be overcome, Covid is just another along the way. Working together the post will not just persevere it will excel! This is my commitment to the Post

How long have you belonged to Post 3063 and did you previously serve in an officer position?

I joined Post 3063 in 2016 and took the Jr. Vice position within a year. The Post Color Guard was formed about that time and soon after Harold Rodenberger told me I was the new Color Guard Captain as well. I continued moving up the chairs and now to Post Commander.

What do you enjoy most about belonging to the VFW?

While I thoroughly enjoy the food that Kay Seelig continues to come up with, no doubt what I enjoy the most about being a member of the VFW is the comradeship – coupled with a sense of great honor and heavy dose of humility to be surrounded by people of such extraordinary service to their country. This I will forever cherish!

Quartermaster’s Update (3rd Quarter 2020)

By Harold Rodenberger

It has been a tough three months since my last column. Many of our members and their families are in the highest risk groups, so they have had to stay close to home and isolate themselves as much as possible. To keep our post functioning we have been conducting our business meetings via Zoom. The attendance has been better than expected and we have been able to fulfill our mission in unexpected ways.

To reach out to our members, Service Officer Joseph Mesa is calling people on a rotating basis. Most days, I’m available to answer your phone calls. IF YOU NEED HELP OR JUST NEED SOMEONE TO LISTEN, PLEASE CALL ME at 206-972-2135 ANYTIME AND I WILL LISTEN AND TRY TO HELP.

Because of the virus, we’ve cancelled our traditional spaghetti fundraiser but are planning a different major fundraiser to be held in its place. Mark the date, September 12th. Further details to follow.

Our social night dinners also have changed due to the lockdown. Members pick up their meals and we deliver to those who can’t make it to the post. Chef Kay Seelig and other volunteers have been doing a great job with the dinners. Volunteer drivers have been delivering to those at home. Many thanks to the volunteers who make this happen!  Email will bring information on this month’s special dinner. Make sure you have a reservation by responding to the email or calling 206-972-2135. Because of the virus, reservations are required.

Ace Hardware has teamed up with the VFW and donated American Flags for the use of our members. If you would like to have some of these flags for patriotic purposes, please call so we can coordinate a time for you to pick them up.

This month marks the start of the new VFW year. Our new officers have been installed and are ready to keep our post alive and well during this unusual time. Every year, I mention the importance of membership because every year we lose members for various reasons. This is the time to look around and ask someone to join our post. A growing post depends on growing membership. Please help by finding new members to replace those who transfer out, go to their just reward or for other reasons fall off our rolls.

Please remember that our VFW is an equal opportunity organization. The requirements for membership are: any US citizen or National who has served in a designated combat area and an honorable discharge. There is no qualification based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, or any other factor. 

From the Outgoing Commander (3rd Quarter 2020)

My fellow Comrades,

     It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Post  Commander 2019-2020. I’d like to take this time to recognize the Post Leadership for doing all the unseen work that should not go unnoticed. Please know we are in good hands. And a huge recognition for all the hard work by the membership. Without you none of this would be possible.

     As we transition to the next VFW calendar year I’d hope that we, as leaders in our community, will continue to persevere these uncharted events at hand. I believe we can lead the way and help each other as well as our neighbors while keeping our community strong. If not us who?

     In closing, I feel the need to publicly thank a few members. Kay & Russ Seelig. Kay and her social meeting dinner crew. Wow, always a do-not-miss presentation. And our annual fundraiser. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. Simply superb.

     Lastly, my personal thanks to Harold Rodenberger. Our Post could not have a better Quartermaster. Thank you for everything you do.

Yours in Comradeship,

R Joseph Tiffany

From the Incoming Commander (3rd Quarter 2020)

Comrades! 

As we begin the new VFW year, and having the unexpected challenge of the COVID 19 epidemic thrust upon us,. “Zooming” into office is not exactly how I envisioned my first meeting as Post Commander would go! However, this is the hand we have been dealt, so here we go.

I hope all of you are continuing with safe practices and distancing as we  begin to move into Phase 2 of the return to normal from the Covid pandemic. Using masks, gloves, wipes, and social distancing protocols at least until a vaccine becomes available has been shown to be the way that we will most effectively combat “spikes” and allow us to move through Phase 2 and on.

So please, we must continue with these efforts! Above all, stay safe!

Joseph G. Fitzgerald

Commander Post 3063