Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s December newsletter is available for download here. Highlights of December’s issue include: Post honors its World War II veterans; Chuck Murrell added to Seattle VAMC’s ‘Wall of Heroes;’ and UW hosts post color guard at Veterans Day library event.
News
Give blood, save a life
By Harold Rodenberger
When I was younger, a lot younger, I used to give blood regularly every couple months. Then we moved to a tropical country and I visited various other tropical countries so my blood-letting was restricted. Then I retired from the Army and got so busy I didn’t have time. Then I was borderline anemic and couldn’t give. Then there was always an excuse not to give. THEN I stopped in at BloodWorks NW one day and gave blood!
Compared to how it used to work the new system is amazingly user friendly.
- You save time by making an appointment on line or by phone.
- The screening questionnaire is done quickly on a small electronic device.
- The hematocrit is a modern spun version so less blood is needed and it saves time.
- The reclining couch is more ergonomically designed and extremely comfortable.
- The actual blood draw is easier from beginning to end with modern crimping devices and even a covered needle extraction shroud.
- They have machinery on site to separate out various parts of blood such as platelets, plasma or coagulation factors and return the rest to your body.
- The last time I gave blood I was in and out in less than twenty-five minutes.
It seems the staffers and volunteers are friendlier and more efficient. Only the cookies, crackers and drinks are about the same.
I understand that, for various reasons, many people can’t donate blood. But if you can, follow the lead of this old guy and give a pint to save a life.
UW hosts post color guard at Veterans Day library event
UW Libraries held an open house at Allen Library on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, in conjunction with the current World War I-themed exhibit, “Washington on the Western Front: At Home and Over There.” The event opened with a color guard from Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063.
The exhibit features photographs, diaries, newspapers, letters and ephemera from the World War I era. Notes with the exhibit discuss how the UW responded to the war with the formation of a hospital, ambulance unit and training camp. About 4,000 students, staff, faculty and alumni served, 58 of whom lost their lives in what was at the time called “The War to End All Wars.”
For more information about the exhibit, go to http://tinyurl.com/jskm6gc.
Post members distribute Buddy Poppies on Veterans Day
Gail Engler, Robert White, and Chuck Tuft distribute Buddy Poppies at QFC on Holman Road Nov. 11, 2016. Robert joined Post 3063 Nov. 10 and volunteered right away to help! According to VFW.org, “Before Memorial Day in 1922, we conducted our first poppy distribution, becoming the first veterans’ organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, as it remains today.”
Post honors its World War II veterans
By Alyson M. Teeter
Post 3063 members, friends, and family gathered with some of the post’s World War II veterans to honor their service at the post’s monthly social on Nov. 17, 2016.
Five of the post’s 14 living World War II veterans, along with two World War II veteran guests, were present at the 
ceremony. Members included Oscar Borchelt, Genaro Garcia, Herbert Leake, Al Linden, and Orville Mall, and the two guests were Richard Smith and Kristian Nielsen.
During the course of the night, members and guests mingled, recounted war stories, dined, and then participated in the recognition program. Commander Nestor Tamayao started the program with welcoming remarks and the Pledge of Allegiance.
“Freedom isn’t free and what you did kept our freedom,” said Commander Tamayao. “Our thanks extends from the World War II veterans to all veterans. Thank you to those attending.”
Commander Tamayao also noted that his father was a survivor of the Bataan Death March so he especially understood how important it was to recognize their sacrifices.
Certificates that featured an illustration of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and membership longevity pins were presented to every World War II veteran in attendance.
Post 3063 Chaplain Bill Griffith then narrated a slideshow that included photos provided by the veterans and a historical overview of World War II.
“’Old soldiers never die, they just fade away,’” Chaplain Griffith said, recounting General Douglas MacArthur’s famous quote. “The VFW doesn’t want our veterans to fade away. But we noticed that World War II veterans weren’t attending meetings anymore.”
He went on to explain that they hoped to devise a program to track veterans closer. Part of this effort was the nexus for creating the night’s recognition program.
After the slideshow, the night ended with group photos, words of gratitude, and farewells. These veterans will not be forgotten.
