Category: Post Business

Meet our new intern: Brian Rodrigues

We’re excited to introduce Brian Rodrigues, our new VA Work-Study Intern at VFW Post 3063. Brian is a Navy veteran currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work. He’s been attending classes at Seattle Central and plans to transfer to the University of Washington this fall.

Brian brings a unique flair to our team, with a passion for both fashion and sports. Don’t be surprised if you see him sporting a different, colorful outfit every time you meet him!

Brian will be in the office to assist our service officer and perform outreach regarding VA benefits on the following days and times: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Through the VA work-study program, veterans who are three-quarter or full-time students in a college degree, vocational, or professional program can “earn while they learn” with a VA work-study allowance. This program allows veterans to gain valuable work experience while continuing their education.

We’re thrilled to have Brian on board and look forward to the energy and expertise he will bring to our post. Please join us in welcoming him!

Mission+Vision feedback needed

Post members worked with a facilitator in May and June to develop a list of core values and draft mission and vision statements for Post 3063. Notes from the strategy sessions are available here. 

Leadership will use the mission and vision statements to guide our strategy for potential redevelopment.

As you review the draft statements, keep in mind our list of core values (foundational concepts guiding our decisions for the mission and vision): Service, Camaraderie, Family, Community, Home, Patriotism, Diversity, Honor, Independence, Adaptive

The survey is open and available at https://forms.gle/fmejXzBGu3ejiEtg8. Please vote by July 10! We’ll review the results and deliberate at the July 11 business meeting.

Commander’s Corner (June 2024)

Greetings, comrades! Reflecting back, May was a month of service and remembrance. From our Day of Service event at the post, to staffing Buddy Poppy tables at community spaces, to receiving a City of Seattle Memorial Day Proclamation, we were connecting with our community, spreading the word about the VFW mission, and reminding folks of the importance of honoring the legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Thank you so much to the post members and families who spent their free time to connect and serve.

We’ll continue to connect and serve our community as the summer months progress. We have the Fremont Solstice and Fair first up June 22-23. The Fremont Rotary and Seattle Police Department will share a booth with us and we need to volunteers to help staff it! Let me know if you’d like to help out. Around the corner we also have the Ballard SeafoodFest July 13-14. These are important opportunities to raise awareness and also recruit new members. This is a team effort so volunteer if you’re in town and available.

Another way to build connection is the Post Social. We’re having a different type of social for June….drinks at The Sloop June 21. The first round of beverages are on me! We’re planning a breakfast social for July and save the date of August 10 for the Annual Post Picnic at the Seelig’s. More to come but please share if you have ideas for future socials.

In comradeship,
Aly Teeter, Commander

Memorial Day Weekend 2024 – Buddy Poppy Outreach

We spent Memorial Day weekend at various locations in Ballard, to include the Ballard Farmer’s Market, QFC and Trader Joe’s. Our efforts raised awareness about Memorial Day, Buddy Poppies, and VFW Post 3063. We also collected donations for the Relief Fund. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community and they were happy to see us. A huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers, including family members, for their dedication and support!

2024-2025 Officer Installation

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