Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063
No One Does More for Veterans
Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s July newsletter is available for download here. Highlights of July’s issue include:
By Charles R. Anderson
The Army Goes Rolling Along.” Originally “The Caisson Song” and official anthem of the U.S. Field Artillery Corps, it was composed by Lt. Edmund L. “Snitz” Gruber during a long march in the Philippines. Gruber heard an officer roar, “Come on! Keep ‘em Rolling.” Gruber’s relative Franz had composed “Silent Night” and was inspired to write the melody for a new song. Serving soldiers in the artillery helped compose the lyrics and the song became very popular during WWI. In 1948, when the Army wanted its own song, they held a nationwide contest. Despite hundreds of entries over the next four years none was acceptable, so the Adjutant General’s office recycled “The Caisson Song” and renamed it “The Army Goes Rolling Along.”
“The Marines’ Hymn.” The melody for this came from an aria in Jacques Offenbach’s Genevieve de Brabant. “According to tradition, an officer wrote the first verse of the Hymn on duty in the Mexican War (1846-1848). Meant to highlight the various campaigns of the Marines, the unknown author edited the words from the Marines’ colors and added them to Offenbach’s melody.” New, unofficial verses are added with each Marine campaign.
“Anchors Aweigh.” This one was written to rally the U.S. Naval Academy’s football team. The Navy bandmaster from 1887 to 1916, Lt. Charles A. Zimmerman, had been composing a march for each graduating class. A Midshipman named Alfred Hart Miles asked Zimmerman in 1906 to write an inspiring tune with some swing to it for a football marching song. The two men wrote the melody and lyrics and dedicated it to the class of 1907 (Navy did win that year over Army).
“The U.S. Air Force,” originally the “Army Air Corps” tune was the result of a contest sponsored by Liberty Magazine in 1938. Out of 757 pieces submitted, this one written by Robert Crawford was selected.
“Semper Paratus,” (U.S. Coast Guard). Both the motto and official song of the Coast Guard, the motto was adopted in 1910, and the words were composed in 1922 by Capt. Francis S. Van Boskerck. Five years later he completed the melody.
http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/militarysongs.pdf
By Lisa Oberg, University of Washington
As we approach the centennial of the United States’ entry in the first World War (April 6, 2017), staff in Special Collections in the University of Washington Libraries are planning an exhibit of Seattle’s WWI involvement. The exhibit will be installed on campus in late August and will run from September through January, 2017. There are many stories to be told about the war and Seattle’s contributions from the Red Cross hospital, Base Hospital 50, organized by the University of Washington to the Spruce Production Division logging Douglas Fir for the first military aircraft. And, on the home front, there was labor unrest, food rationing, victory gardens, bandage folding, knitting drives and more. Special Collections has some wonderful scrapbooks, personal papers and manuscripts relating to World War I, but we would welcome the loan of the following types of artifacts you might have in your personal collection or family memorabilia to supplement the exhibit.
If you have questions related to the exhibit or material you would be willing to loan contact the exhibit curator, Lisa Oberg, Head of Public Service, Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries. Lisa can be reached at 206-543-7492 or lisanne@uw.edu.
Mark your calendar and plan to visit the exhibit between Sep 1, 2016, and January 30, 2017. Contact Lisa, as well, if you’re interested in information about any programs offered in conjunction with the exhibit.
Here we are at the start of another VFW year. The new officers have taken their positions and committee members are appointed and anxious to go to work. I know you’ve heard and read it before but I’ll say it again. We have our regular business meeting on the first Thursday of each month and a social every third Thursday. Help kick off the new VFW year by planning to attend regularly.
With the beginning of a new year we are starting from last year’s calculated base to make one hundred percent of our membership again. Every year we lose members due to some moving out of our area, some passing on to their reward and some deciding not to renew their membership. I know that last is hard to believe, but it actually happens once in a while so look around and see if you can bring in at least one new member this year to help get our membership back up to one hundred percent.
Your post is getting more and more active in the community. The newly formed Color Guard is practicing marching and drilling with our new M1 Garand rifles. Interested personnel should email the Color Guard Captain, Bill Hoeller, at colorguard@vfwseattle.org or call him at 206-632-3173.
Our redesigned website (vfwseattle.org) is up and running. When you have time give it a look. It is interesting and you may find some information you can use.
We are visiting more hospitals and nursing homes. If you would like to volunteer to participate in these visits shoot us an email, contact us via our website or call the office, 206- 782-8618.
Our new Service Officer, Gail Engler, attended the Washington State VFW Service Officer school last week and is ready to provide assistance to veterans and family members in our community who need help applying for benefits or who would like more information about what’s available. Contact her via the Web page or email at serviceofficer@vfwseattle.org.
Two weeks ago on Flag Day, for the first time in over 35 years, we held a flag retirement ceremony in our parking lot. It was an impressive ceremony.
On Memorial Day some of our members visited the patients at the Seattle VA Hospital. We plan another visit on Independence Day, the Fourth of July, to visit with patients and pass out treats. If you are interested in attending, please call me at: 206-972-2135 or email quartermaster@vfwseattle.org.
By Harold Rodenberger
The King County Veterans Consortium is giving an opportunity for King County veterans, families, and supporters to provide feedback about local services, policies, and programs on July 20th at American Legion Post 160. The meeting is titled, “A Veterans Community Conversation” and details are provided in the flyer below.
