Author Archive: Editor

At our November meeting, the Post charter was draped to honor the memory of Warren Eddy. Warren, who was a long standing member of Post #8870, served in the Army during WW II. Warren was raised in northern Minnesota and joined the Washington State National Guard unit upon moving to the Pacific Northwest in 1940. Soon after the unit was activated, Warren was selected to attend Officer Candidate School. After receiving his commission in 1942, he was assigned to a weapons battalion after which he boarded a ship headed for England. His battalion boarded LST’s on D-Day, and for the next three days, Warren and his men remained on the landing craft. Finally, on the morning of D-Day +4, they dry landed on Normandy Beach and headed inland.

While his unit’s mission was air defense, they were used primarily to provide ground support to the infantry. His battalion was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division. Shortly after arriving in France, Warren was ordered to reconnoiter a road to locate the enemy and assess its strength when the three soldiers were ambushed. For his action in returning his men to safety after being ambushed, Warren received a Bronze Star with a “V” device for Valor. Warren participated in combat operations as the Allied Forces chased the Germans back to Germany.

Upon his return home, Warren joined the Army Reserves and retired at the rank of Major. He and his wife, Sandra, were married for over 50 years, and they had two children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Warren, who died after a brief illness, was a Life Member of VFW.

29th Infantry Division, Army Reserves, Bronze Star, D-Day, LST, Major, VFW life member, VFW Post 8870 member, Warren Eddy, Washington State National Guard, WWII Army Veterans

NG Eliminates Military Honors

I should say Congress eliminated military honors. Monthly, the National Guard, Post 1040’s Honor Guard, and a number of us meet at the cemetery to honor Snohomish County veterans who did not receive military honors at their funerals. The cutbacks in funding the military have taken their toll and it only figures that recognizing veterans would be the first item on the chopping block. It is said that the “willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

Military Honors, National Guard

Puget Sound Honor Flight

Brian Sequin was our speaker at last month’s meeting. Brian is a member of VFW Post 1040 and has pretty much single-handedly resurrected the Puget Sound area (called a Hub) of Honor Flight. I should mention, however, that Fred Apgar has also been a team member of Brian’s. Honor Flight, for those who are not familiar with it, is a project to fly WWII veterans back to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII memorial as well as other veterans memorials. It is basically a three day trip, one to get there, one to sight see, and the return trip. We have sent several of our members on Honor Flights and other members have been “guardians”, individuals who assist the veterans in getting around and seeing to their needs. All of us in Post 8870 as well as the other Posts, would like to have every WWII veteran who wishes to go on an Honor Flight to have the opportunity. If you or someone you know wishes more information, you can contact the Post or go their website at http://www.honorflight.org/ for more in-formation.

Brian Sequin, Fred Apgar, Puget Sound Honor Flight, WWII Memorial, WWII Veterans

Post Becomes “Vietnam War Commemoration Partner”

What does that mean? It means that as a Post, we have committed to hold two functions each year in 2015-17 to recognize, thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families. In return, the Department of Defense will provide us with a Commemoration flag and seal which we can use in any event we hold. We have already discussed with members of the Edmonds Cemetery board to recognize Vietnam veterans at next Memorial Day’s ceremony. As most of you know, there is a theme each year usually recognizing veterans and those who died in a particular war or a specific branch of service. We have suggested at the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam war it would be appropriate to recognize veterans and their families of that conflict. That would be one of the two events we are required to conduct. I am sure we could do something similar next Veterans Day as well. Also, we have a joint picnic each year with American Legion at the Edmonds park. That would be a great opportunity to invite our fellow citizens who served in Vietnam but haven’t wished to become a member of VFW to join us in fellowship. We will keep you posted.

50th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Vietnam War, Memorial Day’s Ceremony, Vietnam Veterans, Vietnam War Commemoration Partner

New Member Norman Goldstein

Norman Goldstein, WWII Navy Veteran

Norm is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He enlist-ed in the Navy at age 19 in November, 1942 and served until December, 1945. He served in the Pacific from mid-1944 until the end of WWII. He was a torpedo man and was based on both Guam and Saipan. He maintained and restocked torpedoes. He bivouacked with the Marines onshore. In civilian life he was an educator with a Masters in Education and a basketball coach. He coached at Ballard High School in the 1950’s and taught Chemistry. Norm was later Assistant Principal in Mountlake Terrace. Norm and Dorothy have been married for 70 years and have 2 children. They reside in Edmonds.

New Member, News, Newsletter Articles

Happy Thanksgiving from Your Editor

I want to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving. At my house, I’ll be sticking the bird on my Webber BBQ (charcoal only as I’m a purist), and thinking about some Thanksgivings a long time ago in a land far, far away. Unfortunately we still have troops in lands far, far away so keep them in your prayers.

Thanksgiving

Veterans Day Poster & Program

Author: Editor October 22, 2014

For anyone to download, print, post and let everyone know of this event.

News, Uncategorized

Traci Williams Speaks about NMS

Traci William, Department and National Chair of the VFW’s National Military Services (NMS) spoke to us about its four major programs; Operation Uplink, Military Assistance Program, Unmet Needs, and the VFW “Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship” program. All of these programs are designed to help our current military members or recently discharged veterans. Our Post gives generously to this fund and Traci was kind enough to travel from her home in Maple Valley to speak to us. If you would like further information, please go the www.VFW.org where you can get in depth information on each of the programs.

Military Assistance Program, National Military Services, Operation Uplink, Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship program, Traci William, Unmet Needs

Post Changes Meeting Location

Just a gentle reminder that our Post meeting is now being held at the American Legion Hall at 117 6th Ave. South in Edmonds. Lunch is still being served. The Ladies Auxiliary will continue to meet at the Senior Center on the same day the Post meets.

VFW 8870 Meeting Location

Buddy Poppies—We Need Help

When I first became active in VFW, I was very hesitant to volunteer handing out Poppies on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I overcame my reluctance when the Poppy Chairman one year almost broke my arm to get me to sign up for a shift. Since then, I don’t believe I’ve missed a single Poppy drive. Why? Because it isn’t like having a root canal, in fact, it is a very satisfying experience. Folks are down right friendly to us and you end up meeting some very interesting folks. In the past, I’ve met a woman who served in the German Army in WWII as a radar operator and fled to the Americans at the end of the war. I’ve met veterans who have served in every war from WWII to the present and sons and daughters of veterans including one who survived the Bataan Death march. I’ve had a Korean couple thank us for saving their country and best of all, we have handed out hundreds of brochures, primarily to school children, explaining why the Poppy is a symbol of Veterans Day.

We work in teams so you’re never alone and the shifts aren’t that long—typically 4 hours. All the funds we raise are dedicated to our Relief Fund and aren’t used to support the Post. So consider helping out because at the same time, you’ll really be helping out the various places we spend our funds like the NMS, Fisher Houses, and active duty military folks who need Christmas gifts for their children and can’t afford them.

We will be at several stores on November 7th and 8th. If you can help (and we no longer break arms like mine was), let us know. Call Bob Crawford at 206-909-4893 or email [email protected].

buddy poppies, Buddy Poppy Volunteer

Membership

I only have two questions for our continuous members—have you paid your dues for this year? If not, do you need financial assistance because we will help you if you’re in a bind. Just let us know. Otherwise, please reach in your billfold and drop the $35 dues to the Post. Thank you in advance.