Category: Post Business

Seahawks Day of Service

Shoutout to the Seattle Seahawks, Urban ArtWorks, and The Mission Continues!

We can’t thank you enough for your incredible community service projects at our our post June 9. Your dedication, passion, and hard work will make a lasting impact on our community.

The Seattle Seahawks, your presence and support have lifted our spirits and reminded us of the power of teamwork both on and off the field. Your commitment to making a difference in the lives of veterans is truly inspiring. We are proud to have you as our hometown team!

Urban Artworks, your artistic talents have brought life and color to our VFW post. The murals you have created are a beautiful tribute to our veterans and their service. Your dedication to using art as a means of positive change is commendable.

The Mission Continues, your unwavering commitment to empowering veterans and strengthening communities is remarkable. Your volunteers have worked tirelessly to enhance our VFW post, ensuring it remains a welcoming place for our veterans and their families. Your service is truly invaluable.

To the incredible individuals from all three organizations, we are grateful for your time, energy, and effort. You have not only improved the physical space of our VFW post, but you have also uplifted our spirits and reminded us of the power of unity and service. Thank you for making a difference and for honoring our veterans.

Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more compassionate community. Let’s keep inspiring each other and making positive change happen!

Post Installation for 2023-2024

At our May 1 business meeting, Post 3063 officers were installed for 2023-2024. The highlight was recognizing outgoing Post Quartermaster, Harold Rodenberger, for his service. For anybody who knows Harold, we can all agree that he has left an indelible mark on the post and membership.

Here are the elected and appointed officers serving for the next year:
Commander: Alyson Teeter
Senior Vice Commander: Mark English
Junior Vice Commander: Gabe Whetsel
Quartermaster: Harold Hamilton
Adjutant: Shennae Curtis
Service Officer: Joseph Mesa
Judge Advocate: Dan Stokke
Chaplain: Joe Fitzgerald
Surgeon: Robert Lehman
Officer of the Day and Guard: Vince Cardenas
3-Year Trustee: Harold Rodenberger
2-Year Trustee: John Ellingboe
1-Year Trustee: Aaron Stoltz
3-year House Committee: Jesse Basher
2-year House Committee: Robert Lehman
1-year House Committee: Gail Engler

Join us at the Syttende Mai Parade

Mark your calendars for Syttende Mai aka the 17th of May, which is Norway’s Constitution Day. It’s a big holiday for Ballard with the large population of Norwegian descendants and the community puts on a parade to commemorate the day. Last year the post revived the tradition of participating in the parade and we will do it again this year! Let Comrade Joe Fitzgerald know at [email protected] if you’d like to join in the fun. Family and friends are welcome to participate as well.

Commander’s Corner (May 2023)

Greetings, comrades! This Thursday, May 4, we will hold our 2023-2024 officer installation ceremony. The event marks the beginning of a new leadership team, poised to guide the post towards a successful future. The team will officially begin performing their duties after the Department of Washington convention in June.

Comrade Joe Fitzgerald is eagerly preparing for the highly anticipated Syttende Mai (17th of May) parade in Ballard. Post members, family and friends are welcome to proudly ride or march. The parade is a powerful display of unity and support for the community and it’s quite a treat to see how the crowd appreciates our post members.

Continuing our efforts to engage the community, we are organizing an Armed Forces Day-themed social on May 18. The event will feature a special performance by the esteemed I Corps Brass Quintet. Additionally, the Washington National Guard’s 181st BSB A co static display will allow attendees to get an up-close look at military equipment and vehicles.

On May 27, the post will host a pancake breakfast, sponsored by the Auxiliary. The aroma of freshly cooked pancakes will fill the air as community members gather to enjoy a delicious meal and engage in lively conversations. Later that day, VFW Post 3063 will demonstrate its commitment to community service by organizing a Day of Service volunteer event at Golden Gardens. We will pick up litter, give out Buddy Poppies to passers by and end the event with a cookout.

Looking ahead to June, the post has exciting plans in store. A special service event in collaboration with the Seattle Seahawks is scheduled to take place, where veterans and football enthusiasts will come together for a day of service at our post. Additionally, the post is gearing up to participate in the Fremont Solstice booth, allowing us to connect with a wider audience and share our mission with the community.

As we’re in the midst of planning all these activities, VFW Post 3063 leadership received significant news that could shape the post’s future. The mayor’s office proposed legislation that would change the post’s zoning designation from Industrial Buffer to Mixed Use. This potential reclassification would make it easier for the post to explore redevelopment options for its property. While the post deliberates the potential impacts and opportunities, it remains focused on its ongoing efforts to serve veterans and the community.

Thank you to everyone who is pitching in to help with all of these community efforts. Through our dedication, the post members exemplify the values of service, camaraderie, and remembrance. We also ensure the long-term viability of our post.

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter

Lounge update

Our lounge refresh is coming along nicely thanks in part to a local Boy Scout — Taj — who painted the room as part of his Eagle Scout project. Thank you also to his fellow scouts, troop adults and post members who assisted! Comrades Whetsel and English (pictured) got a start on decorating the lounge in time for the District fundraiser. Looking ahead, we also plan to upgrade the lighting, replace the furniture and update the bar.