Tag Archive: VFW

“No One Does More for Veterans”

by Mike Denton 

VFW No One Does More for VeteransFrom time to time, It is good to be reminded of our core purpose, as occurred recently to your commander.

One day in late March, I received a call from my wife Linda at her office at Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds, to tell me of a veteran who had come to the Church seeking help. Having connected this Iraq War veteran to Catholic Community Services to do what they could, Linda thought to turn to me to seek more immediate help from VFW for this army veteran .

I learned that this was a family of four, including three young children, with no real income at the moment, who desperately needed food, money for utility bills and gas for their car.

In the course of two days, I had the opportunity to see what can be done for veterans in need. By teaming with our outstanding Service Officer, Don Whedon, all of this family’s immediate needs were met and the veteran introduced to the sources of help he needs to get on his feet.

My point? There is a place for all of us to serve in our Veterans Relief services. If you learn of a veteran in need, don’t hesitate to contact our Service Officers, Don Whedon and Paul Russo to find help. Likewise, your commander is available to coordinate efforts where needed. Let’s all remember why the VFW exists. No one does more for veterans.

Edmonds Post Sponsors “Hero’s Cafe”

Post 8870 sponsored the July Hero’s Cafe , a monthly gathering for all veterans to focus on fostering positive outreach, interaction, and welfare within our community. This month’s event at the Verdant Wellness Center in Lynnwood, was well attended by approximately 85 veterans, friends and family.

Edmonds Post Sponsors “Hero’s Cafe”

The sponsoring Veterans organization each month is responsible to provide funds for food and other expenses and also personnel to set up and tear down for the event.

Post 8870 members Mike Denton, Les Abel, Carl Kurfess and Phil Sacks were present to execute our responsibilities, arriving early in the morning between 0830 and 0900 and staying to help host the event until around 1430 when clean up was complete.

Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith was present with a few remarks and to introduce the featured program consisting of a presentation from Snohomish County Fire District 1 on the proposed merger of the Lynnwood Fire Department with the Fire District.

Hero’s Cafe is sponsored by the City of Lynnwood, Work Source, VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Gold Star Mothers, Catholic Charities USA and the EdCC Veterans Resource Center.

Letter from Your Editor

In addition to the Veteran Organizations that I belong to (VFW, American Legion, VVA, and the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia), I also belong to Rotary. In days past, attendance of weekly Rotary meetings was mandatory and missing more than a few was grounds for termination. That requirement is long gone, but I recall one older Rotarian, Babe Buckland who some of you may have known, who had perfect attendance for decades, how many I don’t recall. One day he was fishing out of Port Angeles and in the middle of a tremendous bite, he pulled up and left to attend the local Rotary meeting. As he told it, the salmon were chewing the keel off his boat. Upon hearing that, I made it a point to miss one meeting a year to make sure I didn’t get addicted to a perfect attendance record knowing I’d never leave a hot bite.

I find myself somewhat in the same dilemma that Babe was in as I changed the number of years and issues on the header page of this newsletter. I have put this newsletter out for 12 years without missing an issue although I will be a day late this month. Since 13 is an unlucky number when it comes to newsletters (I just made that up), I’d like to step aside and let someone else put something together so I’m looking for volunteers (a bad thing when dealing with wily veterans). I began this newsletter because I think keeping all your members informed, particularly those who can’t make meetings or have moved out of the area, is critical to having a cohesive Post. As District Commander, I was able to implement a District newsletter as well as having several Posts begin their own newsletter. I can still be involved in the formatting but I would appreciate a few reporters doing the hard work. A good newsletter is done by committee anyway. You know where to find me.

Poppy Story

Buddy Poppy Program
A flower that evokes the memories and emotions of war is the red poppy, which became associated with war after the publication of a poem ” In Flander’s Field”, written by Col. John McCrae of Canada.

The VFW was the first veterans’ organization to adopt the poppy and develop a national distribution campaign. For more that 75 years, the VFW’s Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans’ welfare and the well being of their dependents.

Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy and aging veterans in VA Hospitals and domiciliaries across the country and are distributed by VFW Posts and their Ladies Auxiliaries. The minimal asessment (cost of the Buddy Poppies) to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation’s veterans.

“In Flander’s Field”
by John McCraeIn

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.