News – Page 44 – Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063

Service Throwback: Gail Engler

Comrade Gail Engler served in the U.S. Army and is pictured below as an E-4 in southern Germany in 1975 or 1976. She was assigned to the Headquarters, 56th Field Artillery Brigade, as a Radio Operator. The photo at the bottom is with her uncharacteristically serious looking mom in Washington, D.C. in 1997. Gail was then a Sergeant First Class who worked in Civil Affairs and her and her mother were attending the Women in Military Service for America Memorial dedication. Her qualifying service was in Iraq in 2004 (she needs to dig up these photos!) and in total she served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve as a soldier and federal civilian from 1974-2015.

Quartermaster’s Update (April 2022)

Top of the news (at least our news) this month is the relaxation of Covid protocols. Beginning with our April business meeting we will be following state and local guidance with masks optional, proof of vaccination not required, social distancing and hand washing encouraged, and common sense required. One big lesson learned during the pandemic was, “If you’re sick, stay home.” Please don’t come to the post with a cold, flu or Covid symptoms, or any other sickness, just so you can make an appearance. Please stay home, protect the rest of us, and get well soon!

Our business meetings will be in person with a Zoom option for those who prefer not to attend in person and those in remote locations. Zoom info can be found elsewhere in this paper.

Speaking of remote locations, we have many members who live in outlying areas or even in other states and countries. Some people who move away from our local area transfer to other VFW Posts, but others prefer to remain members here. I’ve spoken with many of those who enjoy our newsletters, website and other communications. Here’s a hearty “Thank You” to each of you remote members who maintain your membership here in Ballard. If there’s anything we can do for you, let us know. Meanwhile, please Zoom to our meetings when you have a chance.

Not to neglect our local members, “Thank You” to each of our members for maintaining their membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition to the benefits you get from our organization, your membership benefits millions of other veterans as our National officers work to obtain and maintain benefits veterans have earned by their sacrifices in service to the country. As you all know, there is strength in numbers and your membership adds to the strength of those numbers.

Our post has drawings at business meetings for free life memberships. The rules are simple: Once you attend two meetings you are eligible for the drawing, but you need to attend either in person or on Zoom to participate.

As we get back to a more normal way of life, we will be doing more of our community service activities. In May there will be a “Day of Service” in conjunction with a local community organization. May 24th we will have a community “Shredder Day” when we will have a shredder truck come to our parking lot to shred personal papers. We will accept donations to offset the cost of the truck. In June we will have a booth at the Ballard Seafood Fest to engage with the community by passing out Buddy Poppies and membership applications to those eligible. When the VA Hospital allows we will resume bringing good cheer and conversation to the veterans there and at other locations in our community. We also will be holding a “clean up” day at our post. Please watch for details of these and other activities, as many volunteers will be needed to make these things happen.

During the past two years, many of you have participated in our Social Night take-out program. During the height of the pandemic we had no choice, but now that things seem to be returning to normal, it would be good to make the Social Night more social by getting together in person for dinner, camaraderie, etc. I’m wondering if you feel strongly about in-person dining or about continuing the “take-out” option. If you have strong, or even weak, feelings one way or the other, please let me know. As usual you can reach me via email ([email protected]), text or phone (206.972.3135).

Thanks for being a member of our VFW Post, count your blessings, and enjoy Spring,

Harold

New Addition to Post Library

Did you know that our post has a library specializing in military history and other military subjects? Our library started in 2014, with a donation of books by Comrade Bill Hoeller, who served as Post Librarian for several years. Comrade Pio Park donated the fancy bookcase pictured and the books on its shelves were donated by Comrade Ed Westing.

If you are interested in military subjects, feel free to stop by during office hours or during our monthly meeting or social nights to discover the perfect book. We also accept donations, not only of the military subjects but others as well.

Interested in helping out? We need a new Post Librarian. Please contact QM Harold (206-972-2135) or Post Commander Joe Fitzgerald (206-777-5364) if interested.

Commander’s Corner (March 2022)

By Joe Fitzgerarld

Yes — we are back to in-person meetings — and that starts with the March 3rd Business meeting.

Also, we will simultaneously Zoom the meeting as well.

The expectation is that masking will be a requirement for the foreseeable future, but please don’t let that stop you from attending our meetings. This is a really good All-American Post, but in order for us to continue to be that, to be as good as we can be, we need members to get back to showing up and being a part of it all. You will be amazed at how much fun it is to sit in the meeting and listen to me babble on…it’s quite entertaining actually!

Beyond that however, we are continuing to open things up as we begin the process of getting back to normal or should I say “our new normal.” Vaccinations and masking are of course a big part of this new normal but that does not mean that we cave into the pandemic either. That means we get on with our personal lives as we learn how to live with the pandemic. That means learning how to get on with our VFW lives in the same way.

As you may recall, the month of March means that we start the process of voting for this coming year’s next post leadership team. Membership needs to be involved with this process to help ensure the voting results are what you want and not just “what you get”! Members attending via Zoom will of course be a part of this, but nothing replaces being there in person. It’s the best way for you to really have an idea of who you will vote for.

So please, join us at the March 3 business meeting, which is at 7 pm at the post, and get to know your comrades. You can even come early, treat yourself to a dinner, drink and some post comradeship. You won’t regret it!