Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s February 2019 newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Voice of Democracy Winner’s Essay: Why My Vote Matters; Meet the Shredding Crew; Disabled Veterans Can Now Fly Space-A; Military Funeral Honors “Honoring Those Who Served”; Lending a Helping Hand; and Post Represents at County Vets Event.
Category: Post Business
Quartermaster’s Update (January 2019)
By Harold Rodenberger
Halfway through our VFW year, it’s time for a State of The Post post.
Officers and members are sustaining our meeting attendance at healthy levels. Commander Pete is using the round table format, joint public meeting with our Auxiliary prior to the regular business meeting, and good visual aids to make a lively and interesting meeting. If you haven’t been to a meeting lately, come on in and join the excitement.
Kudos to our volunteer kitchen crew; Chef Kay, Linda, Jan, Jessica, Justin, Dan and others, who have delivered great spreads for the monthly socials. Can’t forget those who faithfully come out for socials to enjoy gourmet meals and support our post.
Our post Honor Guard participated in several ceremonies, most recently providing honors and firing the rifle salute for the Wreaths Around America ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery, Dec. 15. Commander Joe Fitzgerald, Drill Captain Anthony, along with expert riflemen Dan, Bill, Tiffany and Norm, put on impressive ceremonies, no matter the occasion.
We have been working hard on membership. At the time of this writing we made it to 100% of last year’s numbers.
Our Voice of Democracy winner, Kate, won the District 2 competition and advances to the state level. Our Middle School Teacher of the Year winner, Dan, also won at District level and moves up to the state competition. If you know a student from 5th grade through high school, please encourage them to enter one of the three levels of competition. If you know of teachers who go above and beyond, please consider nominating them.
We’ve hired an architectural/construction firm to assess the current state of our property and present us with recommendations for updating or remodeling our building. They are making good progress. Our Building Committee has toured similar venues and is developing strategic plans as we move forward.
There was a good fundraiser in September thanks to many volunteers, especially the Seelig family. Proceeds went to our Post Relief Fund which allows us to aid deserving charities and help our own members.
In the past six months we’ve accepted over 75 unserviceable American flags for proper disposal. Several people have told me how relieved they are to have found a way to properly dispose of their unserviceable flags and thanked our post members for performing this vital service.
We held one secure shredding party this year and have another scheduled for 8:30 am to 10:30 am, Jan. 21. Please bring your documents and encourage your friends and neighbors to come, in return for a donation to defray the cost of this truck.
Bottom line, our post is thriving, more events are happening, and officers and members are working on strategies for future development and growth. Thanks to each of you for being a member and supporting our veterans, their families and our community.
From the Commander (January 2019)
Comrades:
2018 was another busy year for Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063.
We’ve logged over 800 hours of community service, we supported our adopted unit’s holiday party and had our post’s Voice of Democracy and Teacher of the Year candidates win at the district level. These are just a few examples of the long list of accomplishments in 2018. I’d like to thank all of the post and auxiliary members and leaders who helped make this a successful and productive year.
Behind the scenes in 2018, the leadership team and House Committee dedicated countless hours evaluating many aspects of our operations and looked for ways to improve how we conduct business at the post. We’ve been focusing on budget balancing, modernizing, optimizing and digitizing some of our processes and paperwork, as well as working closely with our architect consultants to complete the comprehensive assessment of our facility. I’m confident that when we complete this work, our future leadership teams will be equipped with valuable data and tools that will help them make more informed, data-driven decisions. While I acknowledge this work has taken some of our focus away from all of our other programs this year, I believe this effort has been necessary to ensure the long-term stability and survival of our growing community.
For those who may not already know, my wife Clare and I are expecting our first child in January, which will likely leave me with very little free time for the next few months. As such, most business meetings in the new year will be led by Sr. Vice Commander Joe Tiffany and Jr. Vice Commander Joe Fitzgerald.
On behalf of the Post 3063 leadership team, I’d like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Commander Pete Krawitz
Teacher of the Year and VOD Nominees Place First in District 2
Hamilton International Middle School Teacher Daniel Waldschmidt was nominated by Post 3063 as Teacher of the Year and placed first at District 2. He’ll go on to compete at the state level, which will be announced during January’s Mid-Winter Conference in Yakima.
Kate Cavanaugh, a senior at Holy Names Academy, is our Voice of Democracy winner. Kate read her essay during the December business meeting and received a standing ovation. Kate also placed first at District 2 and will go on to compete at the state level. She will read her essay again at the Mid-Winter Conference.
Congratulations and good luck to Daniel and Kate, and thank you for their support to veterans!
Wreaths Across America Brings Comrades Together
Comrades Joe Fitzgerald, Jon Guncay, Harold Rodenberger, Anthony Rose and Dan Stokke participated in the Wreaths Across America Memorial Service at Lakeview Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 15. WAA coordinates wreathlaying ceremonies at more than 1,400 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad.
