News

By Harold Rodenberger

July was a busy month around our post. The first day of the month saw your quartermaster setting off on a fishing trip. My name was drawn from those recruiting at least five new or reinstated members so I joined the other lucky winners fishing for salmon out of Westport. Kudos to the members of Westport VFW Post 3057 who played host. Afterward, State Commander Elmer Clark passed out prizes for largest fish, first fish, etc., and celebrated our state achieving 100% membership.

On the third of July, our yoga leader, Alicia Brill, led five people through the one-hour yoga class held every Wednesday morning from 0930-1030 in our post hall. It’s an exercise in rejuvenation for body and mind, no matter your skill or physical condition. Why not come to the post on Wednesday mornings and try something new and invigorating?

Commander Pete Krawitz conducted our July business meeting in a new format, highlighted by a joint session with our auxiliary in the main hall, where Pete reviewed the goals of the VFW and his goals for our post during the coming year. Pete has some refreshing ideas to breathe new life into our post and auxiliary. I encourage each of you to attend our meetings, learn about Pete’s plans and be inspired to help yourself and your post grow.

Our new librarian, Norm Limric, has worked with books for many years and is enthusiastic about maintaining and expanding our library. In today’s flood of rapid-fire social media and sound bites, why not visit our post library and renew your acquaintance with some comforting friends in the form of old fashioned books?

Chef Kay Seelig put together an amazing dinner for our third-Thursday Social. The meal of steam-baked Sockeye salmon, buttered boiled small potatoes, corn and shrimp salad and rhubarb-strawberry crisp was universally praised as being her best dinner yet. This month will bring a new adventure in fine dining at your social night dinner so mark the third Thursday (August 17th) and plan to attend.

Speaking of marking calendars, our annual charity fund raiser in September (Sept. 9) is rapidly approaching. You can buy tickets ($20 each) from post members. We are already receiving some valuable raffle prizes. This year, raffle tickets are available in advance for a discounted price so ask your ticket seller to let you in on that special deal and increase your odds of winning. For questions or tickets, contact Event Chair Russ Seelig at 206-423-1150.

The VFW’s Washington State Department convened June 21-24 at the Hilton Hotel in Olympia.

There were workshops for service officers, quartermasters, and recruiters. The business sessions covered communications from national; proposed changes to our state bylaws; reports and updates from all the

state officers and committee chairs; and nominations, elections and installation of officers at state level.

Former Commander Nestor Tamayao and Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger received “White Hats” for completing various reports on time, membership goal achievement, attendance at district meetings/workshops, community activities, and other factors. Post 3063 achieved approximately 106% of the post’s membership goal for the prior year.

Around 10% of commanders and quartermasters in the state received the white hat so it’s a big honor and achievement for a VFW post. Kudos and congratulations!

During the August business meeting, the post charter will be draped with a black cloth for the following comrade who recently passed away. The charter will stay draped for 30 days in his honor.

Robert White, U.S. Army, Vietnam War

It was recently brought to Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger’s attention that Comrade Evan Turner’s seven-month-old baby daughter, Lillian, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, Stage 4S in April.

Comrade Turner and his wife have started a GoFundMe page, and it says, “Although unexpected and heartbreaking, the cancer was found early. The Doctors are optimistic that Lillian will respond well to treatment and live a long life. Evan and Rachel are prepared to do whatever they have to do for their little girl. Their future consists of surgeries, additional cancer treatment, constant observation by the Pediatric Oncology team at Seattle Children’s, a lot of traveling, various therapies, not to mention the vast amount of unseen costs for potential therapy associated with aggressive cancer treatment in the years to come.”

If you would like to donate to Lillian’s cause, please visit her GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/lillians-battle-with-neuroblastoma.