Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063
"No One Does More for Veterans"
On April 25 Comrades Teeter and Mesa attended a meeting with representatives from the Seattle Parks Department, Carleton Park Garden Club, and various community organizations to outline plans for a significant renovation of the median strip adjacent to Catharine Blaine K-8 School, home to the Blaine Vietnam Memorial. Post 3063 had previously donated funds to clean the memorial in 2015 and look forward to collaborating with the committee on renovating the memorial.
Quartermaster Harold Hamilton (second from left) and Post 3063 Adopt-A-Unit Coordinator, Alexander Salazar (second from right), presented the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)’s official Adopt-A-Unit certificate to the Washington National Guard’s 181st Brigade Support Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Troy Martin (left), and Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. Chaz Bantle (right) on April 13, 2024.
Previously we adopted two 181 companies but felt compelled to adopt the entire unit since there was interest from both the Guard and VFW leadership for providing more support. Over the course of the previous year, we participated in a variety of events with the 181, including a static display at our post at our Armed Forces Day social and Veterans Day Open House. In addition, their leadership attended our fundraiser and the Post 3063 commander attended their Trunk or Treat event at the Interbay installation. We also hosted a holiday party and donated relief fund money to another party.
Post 3063 is offering a scholarship to deserving soldiers as part of our effort to strengthen ties with the unit. We look forward to offering continued support to the unit’s soldiers and families as we head into the next VFW year!
By Harold Hamilton
Hello comrades! We have made it through another VFW year. It’s had its share of ups and downs. Comrades who have moved on to new opportunities and adventures, as well as comrades who have crossed into the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns. Through it all, our constant core has continued to move the post forward. I want to thank Aly for her leadership. I want to honor our trustees and senior members who have been the heart and soul of our post. Let’s also give a special shout-out to our Scottish Swiss army knife, Jan! We may not appreciate how crucial Jan is to the post’s operation.
We are facing a challenge of relevance in the lives of our veterans. We can be at the forefront of addressing this here at the post. We have the membership mix capable of achieving great things. How do we activate it? Yes, the problem is significant but we must not go gently into that dark night of irrelevance. We have work to do. In this coming year, let’s all commit to spreading our mission. In July, we will ask our members to commit to eight hours of service per month and to bring one guest to a social event per quarter.
By Joseph Mesa
In 2023, several critical issues concerning veterans have come to the forefront. Some of the key areas:
Disability and Retirement Pay:
1. Last year, Congress passed a significant benefits expansion for veterans affected by toxic exposure injuries during their service.
2. However, the focus this year is on ensuring that veterans who suffered injuries while on duty receive all the compensation they deserve.
3. The issue revolves around concurrent receipt and the Major Richard Star Act.
4. Currently, veterans with a disability rating of at least 50% receive both their full military retirement pay and disability benefits. But those with a disability rating below 50% face dollar-for-dollar offsets, resulting in reduced payments.
5. The Major Richard Star Act aims to allow combat-wounded veterans medically discharged before serving 20 years to receive both retirement and disability pay, without any offsets.
Mental Health Crisis:
1. Veterans experience high rates of mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, and substance use.
2. Suicides among veterans increased significantly from 2006 to 2020.
3. Innovative treatment strategies are urgently needed, and addressing mental and metabolic health simultaneously may lead to better outcomes.
VA Workforce Challenges:
1. The Department of Veterans Affairs faces a flood of new cases due to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act(PACT Act).
2. Claims processors are strained, leading to workforce challenges and impacting veterans’ access to services.
Finally, all veterans, including those exposed to toxins and hazards during military service, are now eligible for VA health care. Veterans who are exposed to toxins or hazards during training or active duty in the United States are also eligible. Eligible Veterans can enroll directly in VA health care without needing to apply for VA benefits.
