News

Surgeon Update

By Robert Lehman, M.D.

I wanted to let all the veteran members know of a long-term research program you can get involved with.  This is called All of Us, which involves a number of Medical Centers and universities, but for our purposes it is also partnered with the VA.  The goal is to develop a database of information on 1 million people that then can be anonymously accessed by researchers trying to correlate all sorts of genetic and other medical conditions. Your medical information will go into the database, but not your name or any identifying data.

The basic foundation of this is determining your DNA genome.  Whether your DNA might signal an increased (or decreased) risk of some current or future condition is unknown; that is the reason for the database.  I just heard of this program at a Legion meeting last week, completed the online registration, and had my blood drawn on the 26th, so I don’t have any first-hand knowledge of how long the results take to be sent out or even what those results will look like.  But it seems like an easy way to learn about my DNA for free.   Actually, it is even better than free as they give you a $25 gift card to your choice of Amazon or a few others.

To learn more, you can go to veterans.joinallofus.org.  You can then do the multiple modules to register into the program, including playing some “games” that check your reflexes, etc.  Or, after just registering a little bit, you can complete the rest of the process when seen at the VA hospital on Columbia.  Whether you do the full online registration or just partial, you can contact them directly at 206 277-1210 to complete the process.  I should warn you that it took me maybe 30 minutes to do all the online registrations modules, but it would take a lot longer if you waited to do it at the VA itself.  There is a last option after completing the online registration, and that is to have a sputum test sent to you to submit instead of going down for a blood draw.  I went for the blood as I knew it would give more information, but still the sputum is an option if you don’t have transportation down to the VA.

If you don’t have access to the online information, just call them at 206 277-1210 and they can answer your questions as well as send more information out to you if you wish.

Commander’s Corner (February 2024)

TONIGHT IS MEETING NIGHT! Consider attending to learn more about our post and our mission. Quartermaster Hamilton is cooking food, which will be served around 6 p.m. and then the business meeting starts at 7. If you can’t come physically, we also offer a virtual option via Zoom.

Our leadership focus has turned to membership, which includes recruiting and retention. Members old and new can help with these endeavors in a variety of ways, such as setting up a booth at the Ballard Farmers Market or calling expired members. To be successful, we must make this focus a team effort. (Quick plug for expiring members: renew ASAP or consider a lifetime membership, which includes a $100 rebate!)

In other news, our last World War II veteran, Ed Westing, passed away in January. Comrade Engler and I attended his service and learned he was a B-17 and B-29 gunner in World War II. This marks the end of an era for Post 3063. It’s a reminder that we need to stay in touch with our elder members and honor their legacy of service through connection and listening (and even recording their histories!). I’d appreciate it if someone could step up and volunteer to lead our outreach at local assisted living facilities. Contact me if interested.

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Last World War II Post 3063 member passes away

On Thursday, January 18, 2024, VFW Post 3063 Comrade and our last World War II veteran, Edward “Ed” Roy Westing passed away at age 97 in Seattle. Ed was born June 19, 1926 in New York, NY to Carl and Anna (Brünges) Westing.

He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Army Air Force where he was stationed in the Pacific with the 20th Air Force. Ed graduated with a business degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1972 and worked at Westinghouse in Baltimore, Maryland as a technical writer for more than 20 years. He was passionate about chess, receiving a meritorious service award from the U.S. Chess Federation in 2019. For many years Ed wrote a chess column for the Jeffersonian Newspaper in Towson, Maryland, and was the longtime president of the Towson Chess Club and member of the Maryland Chess Association. Ed was also known for his love of movies and his impressive book collection. He relocated to Seattle in 2016 to be close to his daughter and enjoyed frequent visits to the Seattle Swedish Club and the National Nordic Museum. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith, of 35 years. He is survived by his daughter Karen, son-in-law Chintan, and extended family and friends.