This is a recurring column that highlights new VFW Post 3063 members. Comrade Leo Potts joined the post in April 2018.
Comrade Leo Potts
What motivated you to join the VFW? I enjoy the camaraderie with other soldiers.
What is your military background? Originally enlisted as E–1 and was an infantry soldier, Was talked into joining ROTC and became an officer in 1987. Combat Engineer, got out in 1991, got back in 2000. Deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan, retired in 2015 as a major. There’s more but I don’t want to bore you.
Civilian job, education, family, hobbies, or anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself? I’m fully retired and what I do for fun is travel, vacation, help other soldiers get their benefits, and help other people travel and vacation more.
What do you hope to achieve being a member of the VFW? I want to be part of a family, military family, and whatever I can do to help the unit I plan on doing that.
A sampling of the raffle prizes included art, dinner gift certificates, and vacation houses. There was something for everyone as there were more than 60 raffle prizes.
Many hours of work paid off for VFW Post 3063 volunteers during the VFW Post 3063 Annual Spaghetti Fundraiser and Raffle Sept. 8, 2018. The annual spaghetti fundraiser, which has been held at the post hall for a number of years, brought in $5797.77. The net proceeds will be deposited in the Post Relief Fund, which benefits a variety of causes, from local veterans in need — including those at the Seattle VA hospital — to the VFW’s National Home for Children.
The hall was jam packed with comrades,
The Seelig Family cooks and serves dinner at the fundraiser.
family members, and friends due in part to the Seelig family. Two-year Trustee Russ Seelig and his family performed a bulk of the work, from collecting raffle items to cooking the food. Their dedication to executing a phenomenal event was evident in the amount and quality of raffle items, the large turnout, and the taste of the food.
Many other members helped behind the scenes by collecting or donating
The post hall was full of members, family, and friends enjoying each other’s company while waiting for dinner to be served. Children were welcome at the event and entertained by the post’s toy collection.
raffle items and selling tickets. Robert Kettle narrated and kept the event running smoothly. The Post 3063 Color Guard performed a flawless posting of the colors. Jan Bryson provided front office support before, during, and after the event.
Thank you to all who attended and come again next year!
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s September 2018 e-newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Buy Your Fundraiser Tickets; Community Service Reporting; VFW Remembers Sen. John McCain; Disabled Veterans Will Soon be Able to Fly Space-A; and Veterans Committees Pressure VA to Conduct Cannabis Research.
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s August 2018 e-newsletter is available here. Highlights include: VFW National Convention Trip Report; From the Auxiliary: Vacationing Vet; Comrade Al Simpson Receives the Ambassador for Peace Medal; Post and Boy Scouts Team Up to Retire Flags; Call Out For Fundraising Donations; and Victory Garden Update.
The 119th National Convention Veterans of Foreign Wars convened July 21 – 25 at the Kansas City, Mo. Convention Center. The attending post delegates to the convention were Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger, Junior Vice-Commander Joe Fitzgerald, Trustee Aaron Stoltz, Junior Past-Commander Nestor Tamayao, and Comrade James Williams.
VFW Village in Exhibition Hall.
On Saturday and Sunday, the exhibition hall had many vendors’ and sponsors’ exhibits, a health fair, an auction, “Buddy” Poppy Contest featuring entries constructed of poppies, a veterans walk-in claims clinic, Southern, Big Ten, Eastern and Western Conference Caucuses as well as various committee meetings. On Sunday, in addition to various workshops and National-level meetings, there was a Joint Memorial Service and a Welcome Concert featuring Trace Adkins.
At the Joint Opening Session on Monday, July 23, VFW and Auxiliary members attended the formal opening of the 119th National Convention by VFW Commander-in Chief Keith E. Harman. A video recapped the many successes of the VFW in 2017-2018. Many VFW awards were given to individuals and organizations.
After the lunch break, the VFW and Auxiliary went into their respective business sessions. The VFW business session usual room seating configuration was grouped by state departments. Each department’s commander placed a placard bearing his or her state on a pedestal. Department, District and Post officers and delegates were all seated within their particular state’s area. Proposed by-law, manual of procedure, ritual amendments, finance and internal organization, general resolutions, national security and foreign affairs, veterans’ service resolutions, and convention rules were introduced by respective committees and approved or disapproved by the membership.
Tuesday’s highlight was the appearance of the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Among other subjects, he spoke on issues with favorable direct bearing for the military, veterans, military personnel and their families. The president acknowledged the importance and need for the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a congressionally-chartered veterans organization. Prior to the president’s appearance, Marine Lt. Col. (ret.) Oliver North was introduced and given the VFW Distinguished Service Award. Also on Tuesday afternoon was a patriotic celebration for all delegates attending the convention.
The final day of the convention culminated in the election and installation of the national officers for the
Joe Fitzgerald and Harold Rodenberger stand in front of the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City.
ensuing VFW year 2018 – 2019 complete with the usual pomp and circumstance. It’s quite the scene observing many delegates parading throughout the hall to celebrate each national officer’s election.
The old adage of “All work and no play…” did not apply at this convention as delegates were afforded many opportunities to eat, drink and be entertained. Kansas City, Mo. is noted for its great cuisine, local breweries and distilleries. Barbeque is one of the “food groups” of this city!
Yearly, thousands of VFW and Auxiliary delegates gather to represent the organization’s total membership of nearly 1.6 million at the National Convention. The convention gives the organization’s membership the opportunity approve national priorities, elect new leadership, recognize prominent individuals and organizations and work on issues important to veterans, service personnel and their families. The 120th convention will be in Orlando, Fla. July 20 – 24, 2019.
