Recruiting – Page 4 – Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063

New Member Spotlight: Comrade Joseph Mesa

This 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.

Post Achieves and Exceeds 100% Membership

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.

Quartermaster’s Update (October 2018)

By Harold Rodenberger

Here in the Pacific Northwest, the annual migration of the sun is more noticeable than in other places farther south.

The autumnal equinox (September 23rd this year), when our southbound sun crosses the equator each year, reminds the natural kingdoms to prepare in earnest for the winter. It reminds me that kids are back in school, the weather is turning colder and it’s time to air out the woolens. Well, maybe people don’t do that last so much anymore, but you get my drift, winter’s coming.

For VFW members, it’s time to get back to attending meetings and socials. Chef Kay has been putting on gourmet dinners for our social nights and Commander Pete’s new meeting format has drawn more attendees and participation. Remember, you can tune in our meetings no matter where you are by hooking up to our Zoom Remote broadcast. Connection info will be sent to your email address of record earlier on the day of the meeting. Warm up that laptop or smartphone and join us.

Why not make a note to save the first Thursday each month for our business meeting and the third Thursday for the social?

It’s also the time to check around our neighborhoods for potential members. New members usually don’t join our post if they aren’t asked. Even if your neighbor isn’t qualified, she may know someone nearby who is. The only way to find out is to ask.

Autumn is a good time of year to distribute Buddy Poppies. Our Buddy Poppy chair is Comrade Tiffany Cavin. She has a supply of special 9/11 commemorative poppies. Please contact her at 253-327-8906 or [email protected] if you are interested in helping with this project.

November brings Veterans Day, another day to help our poppy-making veterans. Our Ballard teams will be distributing Buddy Poppies that weekend. Again, if you are interested in helping this vital effort, please contact Comrade Tiffany.

Finally, as the sun moves farther south, remember to be safe out there. Street crosswalks, sidewalks and even the steps to your back porch can be dangerous as daylight ends earlier. Keep an eye out for hazards and especially watch out for children.

New Member Spotlight: Comrade Leo Potts

This is a recurring column that highlights new VFW Post 3063 members. Comrade Leo Potts joined the post in April 2018.

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.