News

From the Commander (May 2017)

By Nestor Tamayao

 

I bet many of you are thinking what I am – “It’s May already!”  The post will be busy this month with installation of newly elected officers, the Social and Memorial Day activities.  For me, May also marks the fact that my tenure as your commander is coming to a close next month.

 

While many equate May to the Memorial Day holiday, for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, there is a day that has significance as it was the VFW that had it recognized.  That day is May 1st, Loyalty Day.  The day provides an opportunity for all American citizens to reaffirm their loyalty.  Patriotic rallies, parades, public meetings, school programs and other activities are some examples that show citizens’ patriotism and loyalty to our government.

 

Loyalty Day’s roots are not recent.  The idea to hold patriotic rallies started in 1930 to offset the Communist rallies that were held on May Day.  The VFW’s involvement began with the adoption of a resolution at the VFW National Convention in 1949 to make May 1 as Loyalty Day.  In 1954, the resolution was introduced in Congress and approved in 1955.  It was officially recognized with the adoption of Public Law 529 in 1958.

 

Memorial Day gives the opportunity to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  It was known first as Decoration Day as the day graves of fallen Civil War soldiers were decorated.  The name Memorial Day came into use in 1882.  The name was declared by federal law in 1967.  Some confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day.  While Memorial Day remembers those who died while serving, Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the armed services.

 

The month of May provides citizens the opportunities to participate in activities that reflect continuing loyalty to America and honoring those who gave their lives to maintain our cherished freedoms.   If you are not able to attend an organized activity on Memorial Day, you can pause for a moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. on that day to honor those who have died in service to the nation, as The National Moment of Remembrance Act of 2000 encourages.

Members Away From Home: Georgia Warrix

Member Away
Post member, Georgia Warrix, is currently stationed in Baton Rouge, La.

The 1190 Transportation Surface Brigade, located in Baton Rouge, La., is my current duty assignment. The unit is an Army Reserve unit administratively controlled under the Deployment Support Command to sustain the current affiliation within the Army Reserve component. Operational control remains with the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC); the Brigade’s Active component affiliation.

 

The 1190 Transportation Surface Brigade’s current mission command consist of three battalions and 14 detachments. During Presidential and Congressional Call-Up, the brigade itself would assume mission command of all active component battalions aligned in the Gulfport states currently operating under SDDC. Their mission is to manage and oversee all port operations within these area vessel ports. Just one of the gulf vessel ports during Operation Enduring Freedom moved approximately 330 vessels toward the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

This year, the 1190 Transportation Surface Brigade has personnel deploying to various areas in the Middle East, participating in port operations in Texas and maintaining their evaluated training markers in Army Reserve exercises.

Post Elects 2017-2018 Officers

Post 3063 members elected their 2017-2018 officers during the April business meeting April 6, 2017. The following individuals were elected into the leadership positions:

 

Commander: Pete Krawitz

Sr. Vice Commander: Joe Tiffany

Jr. Vice Commander: Joe Fitzgerald

Chaplain: Bill Griffith

Quartermaster: Harold Rodenberger

1-Year Trustee: James Williams

2-Year Trustee: Aaron Stoltz

3-Year Trustee: Russ Seelig

1-Year House Committee: Gail Engler

2-Year House Committee: Doug Maines

3-Year House Committee: Jordan Houghton

 

First nominations were made in March, followed by second nominations and an election in April. Installation at the post is scheduled for the May business meeting, but officers do not take office until the department commander is installed. The installation of the state officers is usually the last weekend in June so Post 3063 (and district) officers take over July 1st.

 

Appointed officers will be announced at the May business meeting.

 

Post and Sea Cadet Corps Recognize Volunteer’s Service

By Alyson M. Teeter

 

Award presentation
Pete Krawitz, Post 3063 Sr. Vice Commander, presents the VFW Sea Cadet Medal to Jessica Chacko, April 20, 2017.

You may recognize Jessica Chacko’s name: she’s a high schooler who has volunteered with Post 3063 at the Seattle VA Medical Center and she represented Post 3063 at the district level for the Voice of Democracy Essay Contest, where she placed third. Jessica also serves as a petty officer third class with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps based out of Naval Station Everett.

As a way to recognize these efforts, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Post 3063 decided to award her with a VFW Sea Cadet Medal. The medal is granted for outstanding achievement and exceptional leadership ability. Post 3063 Sr. Vice Commander Pete Krawitz formally presented the medal to Jessica, with her family and friends in attendance, at the monthly post social April 20, 2017.

 

The post greatly appreciates Jessica’s dedication to serving veterans. Thank you, Jessica!