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Rock Roth Freedom Scholarships Awarded

Rock Roth Freedom Scholarships Awarded

Post 8870 Commander Jim Blossey, is joined by Marilyn Roth in recognizing recognize Rock Roth Freedom Scholarship recipient Grace Wainaina.

At our June meeting, the recipients of the Rock Roth Freedom Scholarship were recognized by the Post. This year, marks the fourth year of the program of scholarships were named to honor the memory of Rock Roth, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a career naval aviator. Rock was a long-time member of the Post, who passed away suddenly last year. He played a leadership role in conducting the Post’s youth essay and teacher recognition programs and participated in a mentoring program for the students at Scriber-Lake High School. We were honored to have Marilyn Roth, Rock’s widow, attend the meeting to present the scholarships to the recipients.

The Rock Roth Freedom Scholarship was established to identify and reward deserving graduating seniors who have achieved an outstanding record of academic achievement, leadership, and community service and understand and value the freedom and rights guaranteed to us all by our Constitution. The scholarships, each in the amount of $1000, were awarded to two students residing within the Edmonds Public School District and two deserving seniors residing within the Mukilteo Public School District. In addition to their transcript and a resume, students were asked to write a 500-750 word essay in which they explained the meaning of freedom to them and how our Constitution establishes and maintains a culture of freedom in our country.

Representing the Edmonds School District were Jessica Nguyen who will graduate from Lynnwood High School and Daniil Oliferovskiy who attended Mount Lake Terrace High School. The two Mukilteo district seniors were Helen Anderson of Kamiak High School and Mariner High School graduate Grace Wainaina. Jessica graduated with a perfect GPA of 4.00 and will attend the University of Washington. Daniil graduated with a near-perfect GPA of 3.98 and will also attend the University of Washington. Helen Anderson plans to attend Western Washington University in the fall and Grace will attend Oakwood University in Alabama.

New Members!

Daniel B Curnutt

Daniel B Curnutt

Dan is from Bellevue, WA. He served in the Navy 1966-1970. He was an Engineman 3rd Class and was onboard the USS Oriskany CVA-34 at Yankee Station off Vietnam and later aboard riverboats in Qui Nhon and the Delta 1967-69. Awards include the Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Unit Commendation. Dan is a cabinetmaker. He and Mandy reside in Edmonds and have 2 children and 2.9 grandchildren. Dan is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and American Legion Post 66.

James E MurdockJames E Murdock

Jim is from Lynnwood and joined the Army June 1969 and served until Feb 1972. He served in Vietnam as a flight engineer for a CH-54 Skycrane Nov 70 – Nov 71. His unit, the 159th ASH Bn, was part of the 101st Airborne Div in Phu Bai and later the 1st Aviation Brigade. He had a 5-week TDY tour Udorn, Thailand as part of secret operations. Jim’s awards include the Air Medal and Aircraft Crewman Badge. Jim has a BS in Aviation Maintenance Management and is a retired aircraft mechanic and manufacturing engineer. He and wife Seokke reside in Lynnwood. Jim enjoys motorcycle touring on his BMW.

Aaron M TerwedoAaron M Terwedo

Aaron, an Edmonds native, enlisted in the Army March 2004. He trained as an artilleryman. He served with the 2nd Infantry Div in Korea 2004-5. He was with the 3rd Infantry Division in two separate tours in Iraq during the period 2005-08. His 1st tour, Aaron was engaged at Tikrit providing artillery fire support. His 2nd tour he became an infantryman at Ramadi and Fallujah. A 3rd tour in Iraq 2009-10, Aaron was with the 17th Fires Brigade. He was again in an infantry role in Basra and helped train Iraqi Army and police personnel. His last assignment stateside was at JBLM 2010-11 with the 17th Fires Brigade. Awards include the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal (5th award) and the Good Conduct Medal. He is a member of the local DAV chapter. Aaron is a Financial Planner and resides in Edmonds.

Post Receives Department Recognition

Post Receives Department Recognition

Representing the Department, Past Post and District 1 Commander, Jim Traner made several presentations to Commander Jim Blossey to recognize our Post’s achievements in various VFW programs. The Post newsletter continues to be one of the best in the State of Washington, receiving second place honors. In past years, our newsletter editor, Jim Traner, has been recognized as the best in the state. Post #8870 was recognized for its continual participation in and support of the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy student essay competition, Scouting program, as well as the teacher recognition program. Our Surgeon, Al Boyett, was recognized for the efficient and timely reporting of our Community Service and Hospital reports, and similar recognition was afforded to Chaplain, Fred Apgar. Finally, our Post was recognized for its continued financial support of the USO at Sea-Tac.

Buddy Poppies Income Sets Record

Contributions resulting from our semi-annual distribution of Buddy Poppies at four locations in Edmonds, Mukilteo, Lynnwood (unincorporated Snohomish county) and Mill Creek reached a record amount of over $ 13,620. A hearty well done to all hands who participated and if you didn’t, you missed a great opportunity to have a wonderful experience while aiding the cause of Veterans Relief. Below is the Relief Committee’s budget for distribution of those funds in the coming fiscal year.

Post Relief Fund Budget 2015-2016

Administrative Expenses
Poppies $2,500
Postage/Supplies 200
Service Officer 2,500
Community Programs
Freedom Scholarship $ 4,000
Youth Programs 500
Teacher of the Year 300
Student Essay (Youth/VOD/PP) 600
Fixed Contributions
Orting/Retsil Veterans Homes $ 2,000
National Home 500
Military Support Services 1,000
USO 1,000
Special Olympics 500
Discretionary Contributions
Fallen Heroes (+ Speakers) $ 2,250
Fisher House (Two homes) 2,000
Santa’s Castle (JBLM) 1,000
Chaplains’ Offices 1,500
Semper Fi Fund 500
CRISTA Camps 1,000
Northwest Battle Buddies 500
Rainier Therapeutic Riding 500
Wreaths Across America 500
Miscellaneous/Contingency $ 2,059
Total $ 27,409

World War II Vets Memorabilia Sought

A message from the Post Commander: 

Comrades, I received a call this afternoon from a producer for the Discovery Family Channel. We may be able to get a bit of national publicity. Rather than explain what he is looking for, I will just offer a portion of his message:

The show is for the Discovery Family Channel. It follows two men who are contacted by people who want to thank an “every day hero” in their lives for the sacrifices they’ve made for them. They seek out our guys to help them track down an item from their hero’s past that they’ve lost or given away that holds great sentimental value to them. The reunion with these items will come as a complete surprise. 

The “every day heroes” are not always military veterans. It just happens to be the case with this particular story. 

We will be in the Seattle area from July 11 thru July 13th, to help a son honor his father, who is a WWII Vet. 

What were are currently looking for is someone who has a collection of WWII memorabilia in their possession that our guys can look through during their search, to see what else is out there. 

The collection doesn’t need to be laid out. In fact, it’s better for the show if the items are still packed away in boxes, in their cellars or attics.

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update

Design Elements

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update Design Elements

Piictured above is the Navy portion of the curb wall, which will feature identical sections for Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Veterans.

 

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update Design Elements

Above and tt right are images of those section being called “Seat Wall” and “Seat Cube” respectively, which are designed to give visitors a place for reading, quiet contemplation, or simply to enjoy the space

Fund Raising Undwerway

Under the Guidance of VFW Post 8870 and lead by the efforts of Ron Clyborne, a fundraising committee comprised of civic leaders, both veteran and non veteran, have begun work to raise the approximately $ 450,000 the project is projected to require.

There is already some seed money in the bank, including a donation from the city of Edmonds, among others and there is no doubt that sustantial contributions will be forthcoming as the word spreads in and around Edmonds.

Details of what the final result is expected to look like can be found on the project web page at http://edmondsveteransplaza.com/. (Some examples shown at left)

There is also a Facebook page under the name Edmonds Veterans Plaza. Online donations can be made from either of those two sites.

Edmonds Veterans Plaza Update Design ElementsWhile we are, of course, looking for large sponsors who can support our project in substantial sums, in the end we will also need lots of small donations, so your online donation is welcome in any amount you can provide.

The important thing is for all of us associated with Veterans causes to do our part to promote and support the project in any way we can.

 

Veterans Plaza Fund Raising Campaign Commences

Ron Clyborne kicked off the official fund raising for Veterans Plaza at the Edmonds Community College Memorial Day ceremony sponsored by the Student Veterans Association. In the coming months, we will ask each of you to help us but at the current time we are trying to secure corporate and foundation donations. We have a big nut to crack as the Plaza will cost $450,000 and be funded solely by private donations.

Sultan Post 2554 Named Post of the Year in District 1

For a number of years Post 1040 in Lynnwood and our Post seemed to trade honors when it came to Post of the Year. Now and then an upstart like Post 1571 in Arlington would crash the party. The latest upstart is Post 2554 located in Sultan. It now has the honor of beating out their big brothers from the city. I know that most of us have a hard time making one meeting a month but if you do have the opportunity, consider dropping in on another Post’s meeting if it’s convenient for you. You will find it illuminating. Different Posts have different community and veterans support activities and it will be educational to you as well as finding yourself warmly welcomed at these various meetings.

Memorial Day Ceremonies

Memorial Day Ceremonies

Our own Col Buck Weaver was the honored guest at this year’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Edmonds Cemetery. This year’s theme was VJ Day. Fred Apgar described the origin and meaning of the White Table, now a fixture in every veterans’ organization banquet and meeting place.

0615_Memorial_Day_Ceremonies1Olivia Olson, winner of our Voice of Democracy Contest, recited in grand style her award winning essay about why our country should honor its veterans. She was outstanding.

Finally, Amos Chapman and Neal Goldstein read the list of names and rang the ship’s bell for those Snohomish County residents who were killed in the Pacific Theatre in WWII. I estimate there were approximately 300 hardy souls at the ceremony who braved a slightly chilly day.

Edmonds Community College Student Veterans Host 2nd Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

A number of us attended the Memorial Day ceremonies at ECC and organized by the Veterans Resource Center. Our own Buck Weaver lead the audience in “America the Beautiful” while Ron Clyborne described the Veterans Plaza project. Opening remarks were made by Dr. Jean Hernendez, College President, who deserves special thanks in making ECC one of the most veteran friendly schools in America. As a Vietnam veteran and a product of the U of W in the early ‘70’s, no one is a better position to see the contrast better than me.

The featured speaker was Colonel Bruce Meyers, USMC retired. He served as a platoon leader in WWII, a rifle company commander in Korea, and was the Marine commander at Khe Sanh. The Col. had a remarkable military career and we thoroughly enjoyed his presentation. Interestingly, following his retirement from the Marine Corp, he became a practicing trial attorney for many years in Seattle and later served as a associate dean and associate professor of law at a West Coast law school. I’d would have hated to answer a question wrong in his class—you’d probably be dropping for 20.

Post Officers for 2015-2016

Commander
Jim Blossey

Senior Vice Commander
Terry Crabtree

Junior Vice Commander
Chris Edwards

Quartermaster
Dennis Peterson

Chaplain
Fred Apgar

Judge Advocate
Don Stapleton

Surgeon
Al Boyett

First Year Trustee
Mike Denton

Second Year Trustee
Jim Traner

Third Year Trustee
Jim McCann

Adjutant
Dick Simmons

Service Officer
Don Whedon

Sergent at Arms
John Shelton