If you avoid Post meetings due to hearing, there is good news. The Post has purchased a speaker system and it works great. We put the speaker in the back of the room where everyone who is hard of hearing normally sits, and now everyone can hear what is going on. So come to the next meeting and check it out.
Bob Crawford, Buddy Poppy Chairman, will be passing out sign up lists at the March meeting. Our Post’s Relief Fund is funded by Buddy Poppy donations and it is important to get out and raise money for that cause. In addition, it’s also our PR and membership campaign rolled into one weekend. The dates for Memorial Day are May 24th and 25th so mark your calendars. Even though I say it every six months, it’s not hard work and you end up meeting a lot of nice folks who are glad to see VFW out in the community. If a few more of you who don’t participate (and you know who you are) would help out, the work load would be spread that much thinner making it easier on everyone involved. Like I said, it’s just not that hard.
A number of us attended Erv’s 97th birthday party. As most of you know, Erv is a Pearl Harbor Survivor as well as surviving another ship being sunk and a third severely damaged. Fred Apgar brought the cake and Erv is cutting it. Erv has been a VFW Member for over 70 years which has to put him into rarified company in VFW. Erv hasn’t been able to make the meetings so it was good to see him. I stopped by a couple of weeks ago and the receptionist said Erv is a popular guy so apparently a few of you are making it over there as well. If anyone wants his address, let me know. I don’t feel particularly good about putting it on this newsletter which will be posted online. However, Erv will always welcome his “shipmates” (regardless of your actual service) so feel free to see him.
It is hard to believe that we are a month into 2013. For many of us who lived through at least half of the 20th Century, the 21st Century with its high tech gadgets is hard to handle. Witnessing today’s youth, their excitement, enthusiasm, and energy brings us to the reality that we are getting old and not just older! Time, however, is relative. We are reminded by Saint Peter, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8) The United States is still a young country – relatively speaking. God has been and is in control!
I am currently reading a book Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery by Harold Holzer As one reads about Lincoln one is confronted with the enormous challenges Lincoln and our country faced over issues such as slavery vis-à-vis “All men are Created Equal, with certain Unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”; States Rights vis-à-vis “In order to form a more Perfect Union”, et al. As one learns more about Lincoln, he or she is confronted with an acute awareness that Lincoln was a devout Christian who strongly believed in a God Who is intimately involved in the lives and destiny of men. One of the major concerns expressed by Lincoln was not whether God was on his side but rather was he (and our country) on God’s side? I would suggest that this is a very fundamental question we as American should be asking ourselves today. Let us pray:
Our Heavenly Father, make us truly grateful for the goodly heritage Thou hast bestowed upon this Nation, whereby we enjoy the greatest freedom on earth. Watch over our national, state, and community leaders, and our people. Protect us by Thy Mighty Arm. Keep us ever mindful of the sacrifices made for us by our fallen comrades, Founding Fathers, and those in our past such as Abraham Lincoln. Make us worthy of Thy Loving Kindness. This we ask in Thy Holy Name.
Amen
Since requesting dues doesn’t seem to work, I figured reverse psychology may turn the corner on our annual membership drive. Dues are $25 for a year and while you are now officially delinquent (and no longer a VFW member), you could, just out of spite, make our Quartermaster Tom work if you would drop a check in the mail. He would then be forced to deposit your check, and file the appropriate paperwork with National so you can receive your new membership card and continue to receive your magazine. If you are unable to pay your dues due to financial difficulty, let the QM know and we will make allowances for your circumstances. Also, students and active duty members of the military are exempt from dues. All you have to do is drop an email to [email protected] and let us know your status. Also, if you really want to give Tom a workout, consider a Life Membership if you are a continuous member. He will be forced into filling out all sorts of forms in triplicate (you remember those forms from your military days) and probably have to do them twice or three times to correct errors. Like I said, make life rough on our Quartermaster by paying your dues.
You can mail your dues to:
VFW Post 8870
P.O. Box 701
Edmonds, WA 98020-701
P.S. Dues are going to be increasing and it’s a great opportunity to support VFW and remove a burden from your Post’s Quartermaster by choosing a Life Membership.
Last month, John Kerry was appointed Secretary of State of the United States. Personally, I am appalled at this appointment, consider it to be an insult, and would like to share with you my reasons.
Kerry was a self-promoting naval officer with political ambitions who, under questionable circumstances, took advantage of a regulation to cut his tour of duty short. While still in uniform, he became a high profile spokesman for the radical organization, Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). He traveled to Paris on several occasions to meet with representatives of the North Vietnam Communist Party as well as the Viet Cong’s People’s Coalition for Peace and Justice. There is speculation that one or more of his visits occurred while he was still in uniform, an issue that might be clarified if he would release his military records, including all records pertaining to his discharge.
No one did more to create the image of the Vietnam veteran as a war criminal than John Kerry. It was the VVFW and Kerry who conducted the infamous “Winter Soldier Investigation” that was a total sham. The perjuries “testimony” undermined the morale of the military and served to embolden the enemy and prolong the war, resulting, no doubt, in an increase in the number of KIA’s.
As a decorated Vietnam veteran, Kerry’s opposition to the war became the cornerstone of his political ambitions and career. In a cold and calculating manner, Kerry continued to slander Vietnam veterans by organizing “Dewey Canyon III”, a “limited incursion into the country of Congress.” As the chief spokesperson for VVAW, Kerry testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and “confessed” to having committed war crimes and continued to slander Vietnam veterans, accusing them of atrocities and abuses of civilians. In a candlelight march around the White House, Kerry threw his military medals over the fence, “disposing of them in the face of the government that had betrayed him”. Years later, after his election to the Senate, Kerry’s medals turned up on the wall of his Capitol Hill office, and he confessed that the medals he had thrown away were not his.
With hundreds of thousands of US military personnel still in Southeast Asia, Kerry and his followers continued to violently oppose the war and provide propaganda to the enemy. Some of Kerry’s quotes from his Senate testimony were used by the North Vietnamese in their interrogation of POW’s. Ho Chi Minh had said, on many occasions, the Vietnam War would be won by the North Vietnamese on the streets in the cities of America and not on any battlefield in Southeast Asia. History has proven that to have been spot on, and John Kerry was one of the leading proponents of that anti-war sentiment.
For his personal ambitions, John Kerry attempted to steal a vitally critical legacy of so many brave and honorable Vietnam Veterans, their valor. Surely, there are other more highly qualified and deserving Americans to represent the United States as our Secretary of State than the contemptible John Kerry.
I’m happy to report that the raffle was very successful. We grossed $2,320 and after expenses netted $1,720. The winner was Karen Huggin from Monroe and when I called her she was in utter disbelief. Her husband called the Post back to make sure someone wasn’t pulling her leg. I want to thank everyone who helped with the raffle. The result of a successful raffle means we will be able to fully support our Teachers of the Year and the Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, and Youth Essay contests.
Susan Newman, has been named as the state’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Susan, who is a 5th grade teacher at Oak Heights Elementary School had been nominated by her Principal, Susan Ardissono and sponsored by VFW Post #8870. She was previously named District 1 Teacher of the Year, which qualified her for Washington State consideration. Susan was selected for this honor from nominees submitted by local VFW Posts throughout the state. Susan is being recognized for her on-going efforts to promote American history, traditions and its institutions, teach and reinforce citizenship education topics, and promote democratic values and beliefs. She is the daughter of a retired Army officer. Her passion for American history is evident in her classroom and the learning activities in which her students are engaged. For the past 20 years, Susan has been the driving force behind the annual Veterans Day assemblies at Oak Heights. These programs honor veterans as well as active duty personnel in the Oak Heights school-community and feature student participation in a variety of skits, plays, essays, poetry, and patriotic music. She also spearheads letter writing campaigns to local VA hospitals and active duty personnel. Susan has taught for over 40 years and is a graduate of the University of Alabama where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.
I made a report to the Post Commanders of pertinent information that I learned at Mid-Winter but I thought I would pass along information that may be of interest to individual Post members.
We had a fair representation from District 1 at Mid-Winter this year. Don Wischmann, Post 2100; Denise Watkins-Calosso, Post 9417; Ron Haley and John Beam, Post 1040; Jim Traner and Don Whedon, Post 8870; and Danny Houghton and Elmer Johnson, Post 921, It was actually and enjoyable conference. One day long, concise (for the most part) reports by committee chairs, and, of course, recognition of the Voice of Democracy winners and Teachers of the Year including Susan Newman from District 1.
The big news is a proposed $10 increase in annual dues which will be voted on at the National Convention in July. The motivating factor is to increase support of the Departments’ Service Officers. I have mixed emotions on the increase and will need a lot more facts before coming to any conclusion. However, once an increase is on the table, you know it will eventually pass in some form at some time. They simply don’t go away. It may be time to to sign up for a Life Membership.
There will be another “Heroes in the Ballpark” game at Cheney Stadium in July. VFW is trying to bring 500 Wounded Warriors and their families to the park free of charge and asks each Post to consider a $100 contribution to the project. If you want to participate, send your donation check made payable to VFW Heroes in the Ballpark and Department HQ’s in Fife and for $15 bucks you can attend the game. If we have enough interest we could form a carpool. Since it’s a day game it may be a fun outing. I haven’t been down to the stadium in Tacoma since it was renovated a few years ago.
The new themes for VOD, PP, and Youth Essays are published. VOD will be “Why I’m Optimistic About our Nation’s Future”, PP is “What Patriotism Means to Me”; and the Youth Essay is “My American Hero is …….” The essays don’t need to come from the schools. If you have children or grandchildren who would like to participate, let Rock Roth know and he can help you with the paperwork.
Ted Streete, our incoming Commander for 2013-14, has some very nifty blue denim shirts with the Marine Corp monument as a patch. I have to admit, even though I am Army, it isn’t a bad looking shirt and I would expect a lot of you Marines want to order one. The cost is $28 with $4 if you wish your first name to be added. Let me know if you have an interest and I’ll get the flyer to you.
A good program not being supported this year by VFW, is Special Olympics. The past Committee Chair can no longer be involved due to health issues. If anyone has a desire to take the position, contact Department.
Consider becoming a Life Member of VFW National Home for Children. It’s relatively inexpensive ($35) and is certainly a great cause.
Last, and not least, is membership. The goal in membership is to achieve 95% by Mid-Winter. Only one Post, 7511, has done that and as a whole, our membership numbers are down from last year. As I watch what Congress is doing (or, more specifically, not doing), organizations like VFW and American Legion need to be protecting benefits earned (no given) to veterans. They can only do that through strength in numbers.
I realize that most members will never attend Mid-Winter but the highlight of the conference is the introduction of the District Voice of Democracy winners and the selection of the Department’s winner from the 16 candidates. Without exception, these are the leaders of tomorrow. Three candidates were missing. One was trying out for the U or W Varsity Soccer team, another was attending a banquet at Seattle Pacific where she was being awarded a scholarship, and the third individual was playing the violin with a Symphony Orchestra in Tacoma. The other 13 candidates were equally impressive. I always walk away with the feeling that America is in good hands for the next 40 or 50 years.
Amos grew up in Toppenish, WA but also lived in Seattle and graduated from Franklin HS. He joined the US Navy in May, 1943, just a couple months before turning 18. He served aboard the USS Killen (DD-593) in the Pacific as a Fire Controller. The Killen was a new destroyer built in Bremerton. It provided convoy escort, shore bombardment and antiaircraft screen. It participated in action in the Surigao Strait. The Killen was attacked by 9 Japanese Aircraft off of Leyte and was heavily damaged by a bomb, killing 15 crewmen. Amos resides in Edmonds. Amos retired from the US Postal Service Seattle. He has 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Nick is from Seattle and enlisted in the Army in 2002. He served for 9 years in the infantry with four deployments to Iraq, three of them with the 101st Airborne Division. Stateside posts included Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Joint Base Lewis-McChord with a Stryker Brigade and Fort Sill, OK. Awards include The Army Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Nick and Dawn and four sons reside in Lynnwood.
Ten time Emmy Award winner, Bryan Johnston, attended the January 11 meeting of VFW Post #8870 to provide Post members with a preview of his newly published book, Man With a Gun. For nearly three decades, Bryan was a television and video writer/producer, and he is the author of three books. In his latest book, which was just released in December, Bryan weaves several historically accurate military operations and events into a compelling modern day mystery/thriller. A disgraced Marine Corps sniper, Web Weller, attempts to start a new life in a small Minnesota town, made up by a disproportionately large number of veterans. Gradually, Web begins to uncover clues that just might identify John F. Kennedy’s assassin. Bryan has performed an incredible amount of research into the life of a Marine Corps sniper, military history, and the Kennedy assassination, and woven that information into a spell binding novel.
To honor our active duty military personnel, Bryan will donate $1.00 from every sale of his book to the Fallen Heroes Project (www.fallenheroesproject.org) . Bryan lives in Lake Forest Park with his wife, two children, and two large dogs. To learn more about Bryan and his book or to purchase a copy of this exciting thriller, you can visit his web site www.bryanrjohnston.com .