Ballard Eagleson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3063

No One Does More for Veterans

VFW Post 3063

News

Commander's Corner (July 2022)

By Alyson Teeter


Greetings comrades! After peppering the post commander for an article every print newsletter as the newsletter editor the last five or so years, it’s now my turn to write these for the next year. It’s an odd feeling but at least I set my own deadlines!


First off, if we aren’t already acquainted, I’ve been with the post since 2016. In one of my first meetings Harold Rodenberger asked for help with the website and I’ve been volunteering with the post in various positions ever since. For background, I served in the Air Force and qualified for the VFW through serving in South Korea and currently am an active, drilling Washington Air National Guard officer. I’m also a stay-at-home parent living in Fremont who loves to volunteer.


Part of my drive to volunteer is to meet and connect with others in my community. Getting to know veterans here in the Ballard area has made me feel more “at home” and I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to belong to this organization with such a virtuous mission! I want other veterans here to experience this feeling of comradeship as well so this brings me to my goals for the 2022-2023 year, which I’ll brief in further detail at the July 7 business meeting: 

  1. Increase member participation by 100%.
  2. Increase participation in community events. 
  3. Institute semi-annual or quarterly adopted unit events.
  4. Increase post volunteer opportunities.
  5. Collaborate with the Auxiliary.
  6. Find a new Quartermaster.
  7. Complete 501(c)(3) application.
  8. Get building renovation planning back on track.


These aren’t easy goals but if we can have more folks pitch in with volunteering for positions and committees, I think we can get there. The VFW’s motto is, “No one does more for veterans,” so let’s all stand proud and execute this mission of service to each other, our post and community. 


I’m looking forward to working with you this year! I’m always open to feedback so please reach out at commander@vfwseattle.org or by phone at 206-701-9259 any time.

In Memoriam (3rd Quarter 2022)

In Memoriam
  Comrade Don Wennerlind, age 92 passed away on April 23, 2022. He served in the Army in the Korean War. Don was active with the post in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Both of his parents were very active as well.

    In updating our roster, we were notified of the following passings:
Comrade Oscar Elmer Borchelt, age 100, of Maple Valley passed away on August 13, 2021. He served in the Army in World War II. Comrade Borchelt was our post commander for seven years, from 1991-1998, and was active in our post until the past few years when advancing age and retreating eyesight restricted his driving.
   
Comrade David Wikstrom, age 91, of Seattle passed away on July 6, 2021. David served in the Navy in the Korean war as a crew member of the light aircraft carrier USS Bataan. He attended many Navy reunions and kept contact with other crew members. He often quoted Shakespeare when mentioning the war; "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."