Category: Recruiting

Quartermaster’s Update (January 2020)

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Comrades,

 

December is the end of a year, but this year also marks the end of a decade. Turning this corner reminded me of the end of decades past. For people my age these are vivid memories. For young people, they are history.

 

At the end of 2009, we saw 17,00 more troops sent to Afghanistan, the end of the Great Recession and the death of Michael Jackson.

 

Twenty years ago, at the turn of the century there was the Y2K scare, the beginning of the euro and a U.S. President impeached. Thirty years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall was the big news.

 

In 1979 there was the big gas shortage, the Hood Canal floating bridge that didn’t, and the Seattle Supersonics winning the NBA Championship. 1969 was the year of the first moon landing and “…One giant leap for mankind”.

 

Sixty years ago, in 1959, I joined the Army and started on the path that led to Ballard Eagleson Post. The winter of ‘49-’50 resulted in many low temperature records still on the books.

 

The years pass quickly and can only be lived once. We need to remember to make the most of our time as the years flit by.

 

Speaking of, members of our post have been busy doing things for others to help our post fulfil its mission. We don’t have a canteen or clubroom so we do things for our community and fellow veterans instead.

 

Recently we visited and revisited the VA Hospital to talk with patients and distribute special snacks and drinks. Our Honor Guard was central to the recent celebration of Wreaths Around America at Lake View Cemetery. Some of our members served at the Seattle Standdown. We selected winners and gave prizes in the VFW Youth Programs Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and Youth Essay contests. Our Teacher of the Year was also selected as the winner at District 2 and now goes to the judging at the state level.

 

Our roving ambassador, Allen Schwerer, who now lives in Eastern Washington, donates time and money to VFW causes in that area. One of our local members spoke at a meeting of the Mercer Girls Chapter of the DAR during a ceremony honoring Vietnam veterans.

 

Around the Post Home, our Commander, Joe Tiffany, volunteered to procure and install a new (much superior) sound system. Other officers gave of their time to perform their duties during meetings and outside the post. Many members fly the flag to honor our country and its veterans.

 

Looking forward to the second half of our VFW year, we are still well short of our membership goal. We value your membership, please take a minute to make sure your dues are current.

 

Welcome to the new “roaring twenties” and may the coming year be kind to you and yours.

 

Yours in Comradeship,

Harold

New Member Spotlight: Cole Russell

This is a recurring column that highlights new VFW Post 3063 members. Comrade Cole Russell joined the post in May 2019.

 

What motivated you to join the VFW?

Giving back to the local community while also working with a respected national organization.  It’s essentially the best of both worlds and enables its members to have an impact in both realms.  That and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow veterans of different backgrounds and generations.

 

What is your military background?

– University of Portland ROTC 2002-2007

– 12 years Active Duty USAF, Flight Test Engineer, 2007-2019, stationed in Eglin AFB, FL; Nellis AFB, NV; Edwards AFB, CA, and McChord AFB, WA.

– Washington Air National Guard, 194th Wing at Camp Murray, Cyber Officer, 2019+

 

Civilian job, education, family, hobbies, or anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself?

Civilian job: Amazon Web Services MVP Team supporting Government Contracts

Family: Mom and Dad in Bellevue, Wife (Carmin), Dog (Theo), Cat (Mr. Bigglesworth)

Hobbies: Mountain climbing (did Baker earlier this year, Rainier last year, Mt. Kilimanjaro the year before), Snowboarding, Crossfit, Yoga, and local breweries.

 

What do you hope to achieve being a member of the VFW?

I hope to use the skills I have learned in the military, my current position in the ANG, and Amazon Warriors (internal military group), to facilitate as much local outreach and veteran support as possible in the Seattle community.

New Member Spotlight: Comrade Joseph Mesa

Joseph MesaThis is a recurring column that highlights new VFW Post 3063 members. Comrade Joseph Mesa joined the post in February 2019. Comrade Mesa is also the post’s new service officer.

 

What motivated you to join the VFW? My motivation to join the VFW was not entirely wanting to be affiliated with any veterans group. It just so happened I was walking by the post and decided to drop in. Harold happened to be in the office and I struck up a conversation with him. During our conversation, I stated I was in need of submitting a service connected disability primarily a PTSD claim. I had been struggling with memories of my Vietnam combat experience. He recommended I contact Leo Potts who was the Service Officer and so I did. Leo was extremely open and encouraged me to not only apply but to also register as Vietnam Veteran with VA as well as seeking mental counseling available with VA. Our discussions led to my interest in assisting other Veterans in any way I could and he informed me that the post would need a Service Officer soon since he was leaving in September. I could go on about our extended conversation regarding my decision to take on the responsibility of the Post’s Service Officer but I’ll do that at a later date if anyone is interested.

 

What is your military background? My military career began in October 1965 just 3 months after I graduated from high school. Basic Training was in Ft. Polk, medic training at Ft. Sam Houston, and airborne training at Ft. Benning. After my completion of airborne training, I was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and was in-country April 1966. I was involved in multiple combat operations during my tour of which has affected me mentally many decades later. I guess the most famous combat operation I was involved in was Operation Junction City, which was the first and only combat airborne jump of the Vietnam conflict. I have been awarded the Parachutist Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal, Good Conduct, National Defense, and Marksman Badge.

 

Civilian job, education, family, hobbies, or anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself? My ancestral lineage is primarily from the Pacific Island of Guam. My father served with the Navy during WWII and Korea. After my military service, I continued my upper education at Long Beach City College with an AA degree in Business and the University of Southern California with a Business Major emphasizing in Accounting. I am the proud father of  2 sons and 3 daughters all of whom are college graduates. Also, I am the proud grandfather of 4 grandsons and 3 granddaughters ranging in ages 0 to 9.

 

What do you hope to achieve being a member of the VFW? My goal as the Post’s Service Officer is to continue the excellent foundation Leo has established and building on that foundation so as to provide knowledgeable, informative, and accurate information that will assist and aid all veterans and their families.