News

Quartermaster’s Update (July 2018)

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Having recently returned from taxing my body physically while climbing in the Himalayas, it’s back to taxing my brain while serving as your post quartermaster.

 

Those of you who followed along on my blog are aware of the rigors entailed in climbing to Everest base camp. If you didn’t follow my reports, I can assure you that it was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced.

 

While the trekking pretty much was a solitary quest, the tasks and burdens of quartermaster are shared by many of you. Our Commander and Adjutant have picked up parts of the load, many volunteers have stepped up to share the day-to-day jobs that need to be done to keep our post operating. All of you, whether sharing a word of encouragement, signing up a new member or renewing your own membership early, have helped keep our post alive and growing.

 

At the recent Washington State VFW Convention in Bremerton, Commander Pete and myself were awarded white hats as All State Commander and Quartermaster. These honors reflect well on us, but, to continue the trekking comparison, they reflect the great job you, as members and volunteers, have done to keep the heart of this post throbbing and its blood pumping.

 

This month marks the beginning of the new VFW year. Again, we are starting from ground zero to help veterans and their families in our post, in our community and wherever we find them.

 

As veterans of foreign wars ourselves, we are uniquely positioned to reach out to our fellow veterans of all generations. Having been there we alone can understand their problems and their achievements.

 

To get this new year of to a good start, please keep an eye out for new recruits to our post. Invite them to join with our veterans in comradeship and a community effort to help themselves and others in an ever-widening circle of influence.

 

Finally, as the year progresses, please help us get the credit we are due for helping in our community by reporting any of the good things you do. We are making the feeder forms easier to send in and, if each us could find the time to complete the report we will help our post, state and national organization get the credit we deserve as Veterans Helping Veterans.

Post 3063 In the News

“Singapore summit offering hope to Korean war veteran, Korean-Americans, too.” Comrade Al Simpson spoke to KIRO 7 News about his thoughts on the U.S.-North Korean summit. He reflected on his service during the Korean War and his hope for a brighter future. Check it out at https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/singapore-summit-offering-hope-to-korean-war-veteran-korean-americans-too/768641285.

 

“Seattle war memorial to lose battle guns, drawing criticism even as city cites safety, costs” The Seattle Times reported on the removal of the Dewey gun batteries from Woodland Park. The parks department said that Post 3063 suggested the city place a plaque in place of the guns. Read the article at https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-war-memorial-to-lose-battle-guns-drawing-criticism-even-as-city-cites-safety-costs/.

Post Achieves “All State Post” Status

By Alyson Teeter

 

Post delegates attended the VFW Department of Washington’s 2018 State Convention in Bremerton June 21-23. The convention started with a joint session with the auxiliary that featured numerous guest speakers, including Governor Jay Inslee and VFW Auxiliary National President Dee Guillory. During the joint session, awards were also presented, and our post newsletter, the Ballard Eagleson Patriot, won first place in the Class I category.

 

Various committees met for business, by-law changes were voted on, and department leadership was elected and installed for the new year. Our very own District 2 comrade, Linda Fairbank, was installed as the 2018-2019 VFW Department of Washington Commander.

white hats
Commander Pete Krawitz and Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger don their newly awarded white hats and hold the post’s All State Post certificate at the Department VFW Convention June 22.

 

Friday evening there was a banquet and more awards were presented. Commander Krawitz and Quartermaster Rodenberger received white hats for achieving All State Post status, which was achieved by completing various reports on time, reaching membership goals, attending district meetings/workshops, participating in community activities, and other factors. Post 3063 achieved approximately 111% of the post’s membership goal for the year. Around 10% of commanders and quartermasters in the state receive the white hat.

 

VFW Past National Commander Jim Mueller represented national leadership at the convention and read a speech on behalf of VFW Commander Keith E. Harman at the banquet. The overarching message of the speech was survival. The VFW’s numbers are dwindling and posts must evolve or they will disappear. VFW Auxiliary National President Dee Guillory also spoke and she announced a new strategy to allow auxiliaries to stay open if a post closes its doors. Overall the convention was a great success and Post 3063 was well represented.

 

 

June 2018 E-Newsletter Available

Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s June 2018 e-newsletter is available here. Highlights include: Auxiliary President’s June Update; 2018-2019 Officers Installed; Green Thumbs Create Victory Garden Behind Post; New Member Profile: Chris Dresnek; Bingo Night at the Seattle VAMC; Post Commander Presents Award to AFROTC Cadet; and Buddy Poppies on Memorial Day.

 

If you wish to subscribe to our newsletter, please contact the adjutant.

Auxiliary President’s June 2018 Update

Dear auxiliary and post members:

 

I would like to introduce myself as the current president of the VFW Auxiliary of the Ballard Eagleson Post 3063. We have an all-new board of officers: Senior Vice President Margo Clutter; Junior Vice President Dorothy Harrell; Treasurer Liz Guncay; Chaplain Kristine Sawyckyi; and Conductress Karen Flynn.

 

What we need now is a secretary and trustees. We also need people who can chair our committees: Hospital, Americanism, Community Service, Legislative, Publicity, Scholarship, Sunshine, and Youth Activities.

 

Most importantly we need members.

 

Do know someone who is a spouse, widow, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of someone who served their country fighting in a foreign war? If you know anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the VFW Auxiliary, please forward my contact information to them.

 

If you are a member who has not been active in a while, please come see the new and exciting plans that will revitalize this organization.

 

I would like to invite you all to come join us the third Thursday of each month for the VFW Post 3063 Social. The first Thursday of each month is our auxiliary business meeting. Please come learn about the exciting new changes and plans we are making to continue the good work of supporting our veterans and our community.
Please contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached by phone at 206-852-5434. You can e-mail me at [email protected]. You may also send mail to 2812 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107.
Sincerely,

Donna Limric
Auxiliary President 2018
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063