Commander Joe Tiffany is looking for volunteers to represent the post at a booth during the Ballard Seafood Fest July 13-14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will talk about our post’s mission, recruit new members, and distribute Buddy Poppies. If you’re interested in volunteering, call or text Commander Tiffany at 206-619-9521.
News
Ballard 19 Author Publishes New Book About Local OIF Hero
The Post 3063 Adjutant received a tip from local writer of the “The Ballard 19”, Jerry Smith, that he recently published a book called “Valor in Iraq.” It documents the story of a 2003 Ballard High School graduate, Daniel Chavez, who died fighting for his country in Iraq.
Here’s a link to an article about the book, which is available on Amazon.
All proceeds go to the Daniel Chavez Scholarship at Ballard High School.
Building Update: Architect Consultants Wrap Up Building Study
By Pete Krawitz
As you probably are aware, the house committee has finished up their work with the consultants from Schacht-Aslani Architects. The 165-page report highlights the current state of the building and various building improvement options ranging from minor refurbishment to a complex redevelopment and even relocation. I’m going to be brief in my summary for the article, however, if you are interested in reading the full report, please e-mail [email protected] or stop by the office and ask Harold.
There was one option that we, as the House Committee, also developed. Option Zero. The cost of doing nothing. If our current building upkeep costs vs income are any indication of the future, we are on a likely trajectory to be in a difficult financial situation in the next 20-30 years. This is assuming no major building system failures (i.e. roof or plumbing).
Bottom line is we need to do something. At a minimum, there are some structural, electrical, and plumbing works that need to happen if we want to ensure our building to continue to be a safe place for our members and the community. Our hall is our primary source of income, we need to take care of it. As you’d imagine, none of this work will be cheap. Estimates, even for the most minor of renovations, will be in the range of $600K – $1M.
At our last meeting, the post voted to allow the house committee to engage in a multi-phase plan to see if it’s financially feasible to conduct a major renovation of the post. The first phase will be to develop a “business plan”. If the return on investment is compelling enough, we’ll move into the second phase where we’ll focus on fundraising feasibility. Our goal is to fundraise 100% of the renovation costs. The third phase would be the actual fundraising. The fourth phase, assuming all of the other phases were successful, will be the actual renovation project planning and the subsequent renovation.
It’s an exciting time to be part of this post, however, this is a lot of work and we’ll need all of the help we can get if we want to ensure a project like this is successful. We’ll be looking for volunteers for various committees in the near future. Stop by during our business meetings to learn more or send a message to [email protected].
Comrade Rodenberger Awarded State’s Veteran of the Year
We’re proud to announce that Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger was named the VFW Department of Washington’s Veteran of the Year at the 2019 State Conference!
Congratulations Comrade Rodenberger, it’s so well deserved!
Here’s a congratulatory message from the District 2 Commander, Carl”Chris”Christophersen:
Comrades,
Harold Rodenberger was honored at the June 2019 VFW Department of Washington (State) Convention that was just concluded in Vancouver, WA. Harold and 3 of his fellow Ballard-Eagleson VFW Post 3063 members were in attendance (the “3 Joes”) — the 2019-20 Commander Joe Tiffany, 2019-20 Sr Vice Commander Joe Fitzgerald and 2019-20 Service Officer Joe Cassis. Harold is the long-standing Quartermaster for Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063.
The following accolades were read aloud (at the Convention Banquet) to all the attendees of the State Convention — those attendees were all from VFW District #2 (all the VFW Posts and all the VFW Post Auxiliaries). They heard the following as it was read aloud:
“Jr Vice Commander (1983-84)
Sr Vice Commander (1984-85)
Post Commander (1985-86) & (2004-08) [ 5-time Post Commander ]
Post Adjutant (1986-2004)
Post Quartermaster (2013-Present)
VFW District #2 Adjutant (2016-18)
VFW District #2 Jr Vice Commander (2018-19)
Newly Elected & Installed VFW District #2 Sr Vice Commander (2019-2020)
All-State Quartermaster (2016-18)
National Aide-de-Camp 2017-18)
VFW Commander-in-Chief’s Award for recruiting 25 new members
Awarded the Ballard Elks Community Service Plaque
Acknowledged by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
Volunteered in the Post 3063 office twice a week, every week
Coordinated 4 shredding events @ VFW Post 3063 (2016-19) — inviting other VFW Posts
Coordinated 3 USA Flag retirement ceremonies @ VFW Post 3063 (2016-18) — inviting other VFW Post
Participated in 3 Honor Guard Ceremonies @ VFW Post 3063
Participated in 6 Color Guard Ceremonies @ VFW Post 3063
Made 25 visits to local nursing/retirement homes in 2018
Was a major force behind reviving the VFW Post 3063 newsletter in 2015
Reestablished regular office hours for VFW Post 3063 for the first time since 1991
Distributed Buddy Poppies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day every year since the Founding of VFW in 1889
Donated blood (his own) 6 times in 2018”
At the conclusion of the above reading, there was a presentation of the 2019 Veteran of the Year, for the VFW Department of Washington, to Harold Rodenberger.
Cheers,
Carl”Chris”Christophersen
Post Commander
Blackburn-Aurora VFW Post 3348;
District Commander
VFW District #2
Department of Washington
June 2019 Newsletter Available
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s June 2019 newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Gourmet Chefs Serve Vets on Memorial Day; Group Travels to DC, Visits Memorials; Memorial Day Buddy Poppies; and New Member Spotlight: Comrade Joseph Mesa.