Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s May 2018 e-newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Today is Loyalty Day; Standing Watch at Herb Leake Interment; Honoring our Korean War Veterans; Glass Blowing Project Honors Doughboys; New Member Spotlight; In Memoriam: Bob Ferguell; Post Achieves 100% Membership; and We Need Board Games.
Category: Post Business
New Member Spotlight
Honoring our Korean War Veterans
By Harold Rodenberger
About three years ago, this newsletter featured a story by our member, Al Simpson, about his memories of Korea in August, 1953. It was a moving story of an eye witness to the “Big Switch” operation as prisoners were exchanged after the war.
Last winter, during the annual Christmas Party held in our post home, Al Simpson was able to reminisce about his experiences in Korea with one of our newer members, Pio Park, and some members of his family.
A little later that night, Pio told me, “It is because of your country and soldiers like Al, that Korea is free and our people are able to live in freedom and enjoy prosperity.”
I have often remembered that scene and Pio’s words have echoed in my mind ever since. This was a genuine tribute from those who were helped by our veterans. Other people who have been helped have expressed similar sentiments wherever our veterans have served.
The Korean Conflict has often been called “the forgotten war” or a “police action” by Americans. Our veterans who served there and the families of those who died there will not forget the war. The Government of the Republic of Korea wants to honor those vets with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.
If you served in Korea during that war, desire to, but have not received this medal, please contact our quartermaster to coordinate attendance at an award ceremony.
During the 65 years since the armistice was signed in July, 1953, the Korean peninsula has been a study in contrasts. South Korea has had its ups and downs but has progressed steadily toward freedom and prosperity. North of the DMZ, on the other hand, those years have seen endless misery and hardship for the people.
These past couple months, there have been some favorable signs that peace may come at last to the Korean peninsula. It’s still early and there have been aborted efforts in the past but I hope this time will be a charm and a peace treaty will finally replace the armistice.
2nd Quarter 2018 Newsletter Available for Download
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s 2nd Quarter 2018 print newsletter is available here. Highlights include From the Commander column; Quartermaster Update; Tiny House Homeless Encampment Moves to Northlake; Auxiliary President Recognizes District, State Officers; New Member Spotlight; and MIA Comrades: Let Us Know How You Are Doing.
Quartermaster’s Update (April 2018)
By Harold Rodenberger
Every year we observe milestones along the way to a new VFW year. Last month we had first nominations for office. During the business meeting later this week we will elect officers for the coming year. During the May meeting, those officers will be installed. After the new State Commander is installed near the end of our annual state convention, our new officers will take on their new roles and the new VFW year will begin.
As the days grow longer and the weather warms, we will be scheduling flag retirement ceremonies, shredder truck visits and cleanup days around our post. Memorial Day is coming and with it we will have our usual Buddy Poppy distribution teams working around our neighborhood. Every year we participate in the Memorial Day celebrations at local cemeteries. Please let one of our officers or myself know if you would like to join in any of these events.
All year, but especially as our year draws down, we are reminded that new members are critical to the life of our post. Every year we lose some who pass on to their reward, those who move to different parts of the country and others who simply move on to other pursuits and let their memberships lapse. For our post to replace those losses and grow we need to replace the losses and generate a few extra for good measure.
Please see if you can find a new member among your friends and acquaintances. Sometimes all it takes is to ask a potential new member to join. The critical part is asking. If they aren’t asked most people will never join.
They call it “March Madness” but the participating teams can’t be mad. They must be talented and skillful at what they do but, at this level, they also must be well disciplined team players who share a goal and work hard to achieve that goal. Every year, it seems that we hear about less talented teams winning because they play better as a TEAM.
Just like a basketball team, a successful VFW Post survives on teamwork. It takes many people doing their part for any post to thrive. Our post is blessed with many hard working volunteers who fill the officer positions and others who serve on committees, help with the Honor/Color Guard, help with hall setup and cleanup and otherwise play key roles on our team.
Here’s a big Thank You to those who help make the train run and the post grow.