News

Comrades,

Our post depends on strong leadership, and we still need volunteers for the Commander and Junior Vice Commander positions. Without these roles filled, our post cannot function effectively. We also have open appointed positions: Adjutant (records & correspondence), Chaplain (spiritual support), and Judge Advocate (bylaws & legal guidance).

Last call for nominations and elections are at our April 3 meeting. This is your chance to make an impact! If you're interested, contact me or Quartermaster Joseph Mesa.

Also happening later this week is the District 2 2025 Spring Brunch Fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, and we need your support! With several of our members serving in district leadership, this is a great opportunity to show solidarity while enjoying a delicious brunch, a Mimosa & Bloody Mary bar, and an exciting raffle for a good cause. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., with brunch at 11:00 a.m. at Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063. Get your tickets on Eventbrite or contact vfwseattle@gmail.com. 

On another note, we’re thrilled to announce that our proposal for the Foster MBA Strategic Consulting Program was accepted! Starting March 31, a team of six MBA students -- all veterans -- will collaborate with us to develop strategies for increasing member engagement and leadership development at Post 3063. To ensure their success, they’ll need insights from both leadership and members. Stay tuned for opportunities to participate and share your perspective! Want to get involved? Learn more about the program here.

Lastly, our monthly business meeting time has changed to 6 p.m! Please adjust your calendars accordingly. Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings, and as commander I'll allow guests, including spouses and children, to attend as well. We are a membership driven organization so your participation is needed to move us forward. Thank you to everyone who takes time out of their busy schedules to help the Post 3063 Team and accomplish our mission of veterans helping veterans!

In comradeship,
Commander Alyson Teeter

VFW Post 3063 submitted a letter of support for the proposed updates to the Memorial Wall at Memorial Stadium, advocating for much-needed improvements to honor veterans with a more accessible and dignified space. The renovation plan includes a dedicated area for reflection and events while improving the wall’s setting away from parking areas.

A briefing presentation shared with the Landmarks Preservation Board can be viewed here.

The board is set to vote on the proposal soon, and public comments are encouraged. To submit your input before the vote, visit here.

At our May 2 business meeting, Post 3063 officers were installed for 2024-2025. They will begin serving in their positions after the Department of Washington Convention in mid-June.

Congratulations to our officers and thank you for volunteering to serve your fellow veterans and the community! Thank you also to Past Commander Nestor Tamayao for presiding.

Here are the elected and appointed officers serving for the next year:

Commander: Alyson Teeter
Senior Vice Commander: Gabe Whetsel
Junior Vice Commander: Harold Hamilton
Quartermaster: Joseph Mesa
3-Year Trustee: Gail Engler
2-Year Trustee: Harold Rodenberger
1-Year Trustee: John Ellingboe
3-year House Committee: Mike Hicks
2-year House Committee: Jesse Basher
1-year House Committee: Bob Lehman
Adjutant: Harold Hamilton
Service Officer: Joseph Mesa/Harold Hamilton
Judge Advocate: Dan Stokke
Chaplain: Joe Fitzgerald
Surgeon: Bob Lehman
Officer of the Day/Guard: Russ Seelig

On May 21 Commander Teeter and Comrade Ellingboe, along with Comrade Jesse Palacios from West Seattle VFW and Dale Watanabe from the Nisei Veterans Committee, received a City of Seattle Government Memorial Day Proclamation.

Comrade and Councilmember Robert Kettle sponsored the proclamation, along with Councilmember and veteran Rob Saka.

This is the first City of Seattle Memorial Day Proclamation in recent history and we commend the veterans on the council for spearheading it. Their recognition honors the bravery and sacrifice of our fallen heroes, and together, we ensure their legacy endures and their service is never forgotten.

City of Seattle
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Memorial Day has been observed since 1868, and recognized in its more familiar form as we know it today, since the end of World War I, yet before that, it was celebrated on different days and even sometimes referred to as Decoration Day; and
WHEREAS, our country honors this day with parades and ceremonies, which is in keeping with General Order No. 11 of Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, signed in 1868. The order stated: "no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit"; and
WHEREAS, the intent of the order was: "to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades"; and
WHEREAS, each year in May, Americans pause to observe Memorial Day, a National holiday since 1971 set aside to remember with dignity and admiration those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation; and
WHEREAS, our predecessors who shaped the structure of our government and defended our freedoms so that future generations would be free to live their lives as they chose, set forth the groundwork for higher discoveries in science, exploration, and democratic values, also started long-lasting traditions that enrich our heritage, and fought in wars so that future generations, both near and far, would be free to live their lives; and
WHEREAS, on Memorial Day, it is of the utmost importance to hold dear the memories of our friends and family members who have served and gave their last full measure of devotion for our country to help preserve the freedoms and rights guaranteed to all people under the U.S. Constitution; and
WHEREAS, on this day, we all pay tribute to those who have given their lives in service of our nation, our fathers, brothers, sons, now also mothers and sisters and daughters and family members, or our neighbors and our friends, and our community whose participation in such events provide a "fitting testimonial of respect" to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation;
NOW, THEREFORE THE MAYOR AND SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES
MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 27TH, 2024
Mayor Bruce A. Harrell
Council President Sara Nelson
Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth
Councilmember Robert Kettle
Councilmember Cathy Moore
Councilmember Tammy. J. Morales
Councilmember Maritza Rivera
Councilmember Rob Saka

By Joseph Mesa

In 2023, several critical issues concerning veterans have come to the forefront. Some of the key areas:

Disability and Retirement Pay:
1. Last year, Congress passed a significant benefits expansion for veterans affected by toxic exposure injuries during their service.
2. However, the focus this year is on ensuring that veterans who suffered injuries while on duty receive all the compensation they deserve.
3. The issue revolves around concurrent receipt and the Major Richard Star Act.
4. Currently, veterans with a disability rating of at least 50% receive both their full military retirement pay and disability benefits. But those with a disability rating below 50% face dollar-for-dollar offsets, resulting in reduced payments.
5. The Major Richard Star Act aims to allow combat-wounded veterans medically discharged before serving 20 years to receive both retirement and disability pay, without any offsets.

Mental Health Crisis:
1. Veterans experience high rates of mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, and substance use.
2. Suicides among veterans increased significantly from 2006 to 2020.
3. Innovative treatment strategies are urgently needed, and addressing mental and metabolic health simultaneously may lead to better outcomes.

VA Workforce Challenges:
1. The Department of Veterans Affairs faces a flood of new cases due to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act(PACT Act).
2. Claims processors are strained, leading to workforce challenges and impacting veterans’ access to services.

Finally, all veterans, including those exposed to toxins and hazards during military service, are now eligible for VA health care. Veterans who are exposed to toxins or hazards during training or active duty in the United States are also eligible. Eligible Veterans can enroll directly in VA health care without needing to apply for VA benefits.