News

By Harold Rodenberger

 

January was a busy month at our post.

 

Some of our traveling members collected toiletries from hotels along the way and brought them by so we could give them to the homeless folks in the camp next door. Brian, the security coordinator, said they really appreciate those small size toiletries since their shower facility is several blocks away and it’s awkward to carry large bottles of shampoo and such up the street. The small containers work so much better.

 

If you are a collector of hotel-size toiletries and have some to spare, bring them by and we will accumulate and donate them to our neighbors.

 

I gave blood again in January. As I detailed in an article a couple months ago, it is almost pleasant to give blood the modern way. There is no question it saves lives, so if you can give blood, please do. If you give blood, please let us know so we can add your donation to the list of good things our post does, for our Community Service Report.

 

Another item of community service that is reported up our chain of command is the donations in kind many of us make from time to time. When you donate clothes, groceries or household items to your favorite charity, please send us a compilation so we can add those values for community service credit.

 

In January, members of our post visited three local retirement homes and several older members in their homes. If you would like to join the effort to visit our members in these local homes, or any of our (especially older) members, please let me know.

 

This month brings the debut of Kay Seelig as the new cook for our social dinners on the third Thursday of each month. Please check out this short article, check the menu each month and plan to attend the socials every month.

 

February will also be a busy month at our post.

 

Nominations for many of our VFW National awards are due. There are awards for: Teacher of the year, firefighter, police officer, EMT technician of the year; veteran of the year, Scout of the year and others. If you know someone who is head and shoulders above others in their specialty, please bring it to our attention so we can put them in for proper recognition.

 

Believe it or not, our meeting next month brings first nominations for officers for the upcoming VFW year. If you are interested in running for elected office, now is the time to let that secret out of the bag. Talk to a fellow member about nominating you and spread the word about your candidacy.  We also have vacancies in some appointed offices and committees. Again, don’t keep it a secret if you are interested in serving your post in this way.

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Another year has come and gone. They seem to roll by faster as I age but the old folks told me to expect that, so I don’t worry.

 

Of course, with faster years come faster months, weeks and days. I don’t think too much about the faster years and months but the faster weeks and especially days sometimes leave me befuddled.

 

A couple days ago, I got up at 5:30 a.m. thinking I had the whole day ahead of me so I could get a lot accomplished. In addition to my normal routine I wanted to clean out the shop and straighten up some things in the basement and make a trip to Goodwill to donate some excess clothes. That day seemed like it might be a good day to get those things done.

 

After I went downstairs and greeted my little dog, I brought in the paper, made coffee, did a few exercises, ate breakfast and the next thing I knew it was 10 a.m. Had an 11 a.m. medical appointment at Northgate so hurried through a shower, got dressed and just made it to my appointment on time.

 

On the way back from Northgate stopped at the office to check on a couple things. Next time I looked at the clock it was 5 p.m. and time to head home for supper. Not long after I finished eating, my little dog reminded me it was walk time, so I bundled up against the cold, put on my reflective vest and off we headed to check out the evening in our neighborhood.

 

Back from our walk, I decided to make a quick batch of cookies and next thing I knew it was past time for bed. No time spent cleaning the shop or the basement and no trip to Goodwill. Where had the day gone?

 

Time spent at the VFW is a lot the same. So many routine tasks need to be done that our plans to grow the post, help our members and serve our community sometimes drop into a lower priority.

 

Fortunately, at the post there are active officers and volunteers to help accomplish the special things that need to be done.

 

Those volunteers and officers visit the VA Hospital and other nursing homes and retirement centers to visit with patients and veterans; perform Color Guard functions; manage our newsletter, Facebook page and website; help with meals on meeting nights, socials and special dinners; contact potential members and those whose memberships have lapsed; retire old flags; maintain our library and even change burned out lights.

 

What would we do without volunteers willing to give up some precious time and energy to help others? It would be a sad world indeed.

 

In this new year, if you would like to join our volunteers in these many activities, please come to meetings, call the office, drop by during business hours or call me personally (206-972-2135) and we will add your name to the list of good people who are helping make our world a better place.

 

Now if I could just find time to clean out my shop…