Recently, Commander Krawitz invited me to test Web conferencing software to view monthly post meetings because we now live in Montana. Later, Pete asked me to write an article about my experience.
On Nov. 9, I sat down at my PC in the den of our mountain home and downloaded the necessary small application. I put on headphones, logged into the conference site and prepared to watch. For the next 90 minutes or so, I heard everything that happened in the post meeting. With a few exceptions everyone who spoke was very clear.
With video conferencing remote users can listen, watch and communicate during the course of the meeting by text or voice. If a secure authentication system were created to verify legal membership it might be possible to participate in votes. Implementing this last feature probably would need a bylaws change.
To use this program effectively you need either a PC or Apple computer, a laptop/pad or Smart Phone. Lacking one of these, you still can listen to a meeting with a landline or wireless phone.
Using conferencing software from your home or office is easy—almost a no-brainer. Given the percentage of the total membership typically attending meetings when I lived in Seattle (around 20% I think), live video meetings could be a way for members who don’t or can’t make monthly meetings to regain some sense of participation. It might even encourage some to get back into active involvement.
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Post 3063 Life Member Herb Leake who passed away on Nov. 21, 2017 at the age of 97.
Herb was born on April 8, 1920 in St. Charles, Illinois. Herb was a Veteran of WWII and served in the U.S. Army, a member of the 101st Airborne. Herb attended ROTC at University of Washington, and studied Aeronautical Engineering. He was working at Boeing when he received a letter from the Army saying he had been selected for the service. He wanted to join the Navy but was told he could join the Army and transfer later. That never happened, of course.
Boeing tried to keep Herb working there instead of going off to war, saying he was a critical employee to the aeronautical industry. Herb was initially a riveter on the B-17 program at Boeing, then a few months later he transferred to Material as an estimator. He remained there until he entered the U.S. Army on June 14, 1944. He had received a deferment for a few years but eventually joined the Army and was sent to Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He was wearing PFC stripes on his uniform and was asked where his stripes were. He was given corporal stripes and told to sew them on right away. He was eventually commissioned a second lieutenant after completing OCS.
Herb was sent to the Pacific Theater, which he felt guilty about as he spoke German and thought his language skills could be used in Europe. Many of his OCS buddies went to Europe and they were all killed in the Battle of the Bulge. As his wife said, “Herb’s life seemed to be charmed.” He wasn’t sent to Europe and survived the Philippines. In the Philippines he served as an aide to General McArthur. He was told that his unit would be a part of the invasion of Japan and that there would be no survivors. Luckily, Herb survived his WWII service.
Herb and Anne Leake at a post holiday social.
Sometime during the war Herb met his first wife but soon after he returned home from the war his wife asked for a divorce. A few years later he and Anne met in Seattle. Herb was dating Anne’s sister when they first met; she was attending Cornish College. After she graduated and went on with her career in commercial art, Herb started calling Anne. Anne was teaching dancing in Westlake Center at night. She also was working a job in Port Angeles. She said she had to quit that job to marry Herb due to the long distance between the two cities. Eventually they married on Feb. 14, 1953. They would have celebrated their 65th Anniversary in 2018.
Herb was in the National Guard at the time they met. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after serving 40 years in the National Guard. One of his duty stations was at the old Armory at Seattle Center. He and Anne had three children together and they each had one child from previous marriages. Herb also worked for Boeing at the same time and retired after 40 years. After retirement Herb served as a volunteer at the Museum of Flight and helped restore the Boeing Model plane 247D, which was United Airlines flagship plane for many years. Herb had a private pilot’s license and was allowed to help fly the 247D partway from Tucson to Seattle. Herb also belonged to the Highline Flying Club and was active in the Boeing Seahorses scuba diving club where Herb was President.
Anne Leake has been an active member of our post auxiliary and has played Santa Claus for our Christmas parties. Her father used to play Santa Claus for many years.
In November 2016, Bill Griffith, Post 3063 Chaplain, organized a remembrance to honor all the WWII Veterans in our Post. Herb attended the celebration.
We will all miss Herb and greatly appreciate his service in World War II. We extend our sincerest sympathies to Anne and her family. A Celebration of Life will be held April 8, 2018, 1-3 p.m. at the Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way. Internment of ashes will be April 9, 2018 at Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Lake Forest Park.
Post 3063 hosted its annual holiday party during the December social on Dec. 21, 2017.
It was a festive event for young and old. Nearly a hundred members, loved ones, and guests attended and dined on free beef tenderloin cooked by Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger (Chef Kay was recuperating from injuries sustained during a fall. Get well soon, Kay!). Harold also organized the event.
Anne Leake gave gifts to the children as Santa: she has played Santa for the past several years. Annette Russell played holiday music on her keyboard. This year even included multiple Christmas carol sing-a-longs!
Annette Russell thanks Anne Leake for inviting her to participate in the social the past several years and for her playing Santa.The kids wait to receive their gifts from Santa.Comrade Limric leads a sing-a-long with party goers.
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s December 2017 e-newsletter is available here. Highlights include From the Commander column; Boy Scouts Receive Donation from Post; Why Use Vetverify.org and ID.me; Auxiliary Coordinating Holiday Food Drive; 48-Star Flag Available; Survey Finds Military Vets are More Likely to be Scam Victims; and In Memoriam.
November, as predicted, was a very busy month for the post. Comrade Guncay coordinated this year’s Veterans Day VA hospital visit. It was one of the biggest turnouts we’ve had in recent years with over 20 volunteers. I’d like to thank all that attended to include our sponsored Boy Scout Troop, Magnolia / Ballard Troop 80, who came out in full force this year. Our color guard was in high demand and took part in a few events. Additionally, some of the leadership team members have been working closely with the district leadership team to plan the future of our Auxiliary.
As many of you probably already know, our longtime Auxilary President, Margaret Phillips, stepped down from her position as of 1-November. We are now looking for someone to pick up where Margaret left off and lead the Auxiliary. There will be a special election held during the next Auxiliary meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Please get the word out! Remember, it’s not just spouses that are eligible for the auxiliary. Please visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/join-us/eligibility-information/ for the eligibility criteria.
The holidays give many of us an opportunity to slow down a little and spend some time with our friends and family. When Clare and I first moved to Seattle in 2014, our closest family member was over 2,000 miles away. While this was nothing new, especially after numerous overseas assignments, this was the first time celebrating a holiday without our military family. I’m thankful we found Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063. The special holiday social events, in particular, have been the source of some great memories and friendships. Hopefully, many of you will be able to make it out to the post on the Dec. 21.
On a more somber note, our charter will remain draped in December to mark the passing of yet another one of our WWII veterans. Comrade Herb Leake recently passed away. During the holidays, please keep the families of Comrade Leake and many of the other Comrades that we have lost this year.
Clare and I would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
