News – Page 48 – Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063

In Memoriam: Chuck Tuft

Comrade Charles (Chuck) Wesley Tuft, age 89, of Seattle, passed away March 20, 2022. He qualified for VFW membership through service in Korea (KSM) 1953-54. Chuck was living away from home when his mother called in late summer of 1952 to tell him his draft notice had arrived in the mail. He didn’t want to be drafted so went to the U.S. Air Force recruiting station. When they asked if he had received his draft notice, he answered (truthfully) that he hadn’t seen it.

He joined the USAF in October of 1952, went through basic, Radio Operator Fundamentals School and graduated from Ground Radio Operator School in August 1953. In a strange coincidence, he was assigned to an Army unit in Korea as a liaison radio operator. The Army unit said they didn’t need him since they had their own radio operators. Chuck said the Army First Sergeant told him to make himself scarce, especially when inspectors or other higher ranks came around. Chuck was successful at that and served his year in Korea playing sports on the Army teams. After Korea he was assigned to a real USAF unit in Japan, where the personnel sergeant wanted to know why he hadn’t received the normal promotion for his time-in-grade. Upon hearing Chuck’s explanation, they promoted him, and he served out his time in Japan and Texas.

For many years, Chuck bowled on the Ballard Post-sponsored team. He was an active member of the post until Covid hit in March 2020.

At our April business meeting, the post charter will be draped with a black cloth for 30 days in his honor. Rest in peace, comrade.

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.