Author Archive: Editor

Helping the Post by Paying your Dues

This is a blatant plea for everyone who is a continuous member to pay their dues.  Dues are $25 for a year and while you are not officially delinquent (and no longer a VFW member) until the end of the year, you would make life much easier on Quartermaster Tom and Commander Fred if you would drop a check in the mail.  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.  Also, consider a Life Membership if you are a continuous member.  Dues are going to be increasing and it’s a great opportunity to support VFW and remove the burden from your Post to send out reminder notices each year.  Please consider it seriously.

Editor’s Note

I was just changing the date on the banner at the top of page one to “Issue 1, Volume 9” which made me realize that this is the beginning of my ninth year of producing a newsletter for 8870.  Over that time, a lot has changed, but 8870 has consistently been one of the best Posts in the District and in the Department of Washington.  We’ve picked up a lot of new members, lost some old friends, and done a lot of good for veterans and for our community over that time.  Under Fred Apgar’s command, we will continue to do great things in the coming years as well.

The Last Word—Commander’s Column

Perhaps, there are those who would call me naïve, old-fashioned, or completely out of touch with reality, but I was so disappointed by the recent revelations regarding an extra-marital affair by General David Petraeus and his subsequent resignation as Director of the CIA.  To me, character matters, and Petraeus has presented us with an egregious display of personal failing.

My disappointment is two-fold.  First, and most importantly, a supposed military leader and public figure has brought great pain to his wife, Holly, and his children.  His public betrayal of his wife’s trust is a sad “ending” to his marriage of 38 years.  Surely, his family deserved better, and whatever “issues” he may have felt in his relationship with his wife, should have been addressed privately.  His family should have been afforded the respect they deserved.  Based on Petraeus’ behavior, we are left with no other conclusion than to question his loyalty and love for the members of his family, judgment and decision-making ability.

Secondly, David Petraeus is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill philandering husband.  He is a retired four star general who had led the surge in Iraq and was the Commander of forces in Afghanistan.  He gloried in wearing every aspect of his military service on his chest, but when it came to conducting himself according to traditional military values such as “duty, honor, and country”, David Petraeus came up far short of what everyone who has worn the uniform should have expected from him and from themselves.  My extreme disappointment comes from my belief that ethics, values, and virtue are synonymous with military service.  Ironic, isn’t it, that while a cadet at West Point, he could have been expelled for cheating on a quiz, but as a four star, cheating on his wife seems to be just a misdemeanor in the court of public opinion?

No doubt, David Petraeus worked hard and made many personal and family sacrifices during his Army career, but I expected so much more.  We all should have expected so much more from someone whom we considered to have been one of our military leaders.

Veterans Day Poppy Drive

The Relief Fund collection broke another record with over $11,500 collected in two days at 5 stores.  Bob Crawford has done a great job organizing the volunteers and making sure it runs smoothly.  I am amazed at the comments from folks saying they haven’t seen a Poppy in years.  They must live somewhere other then Edmonds or Mukilteo.  It was colder than normal but at least it didn’t rain.  Plan on helping out Memorial Day weekend.  A 4 hour shift won’t kill you (I promise good weather) and it will spread the work out.

Joint Legion VFW Christmas Party

On December 15th, the American Legion Post 66 and our Post will be hosting a potluck dinner at the Senior Center (second floor).  Turkey and ham will be provided by the Posts and a signup sheet for side dishes, deserts, etc. have been passed around in the November meeting.  We request that you bring a new unwrapped toy and nonperishable or can goods for the food bank.  Beverages will also be provided by the Posts.  Families, grandchildren, and extended families are invited to participate.

District 1 Raffle

The District will be raffling a 48” HDTV  to support the District’s effort in assisting Posts in membership drives, providing awards for District winners of the Youth Essays, Patriot’s Pen, and Voice of Democracy as well as Teacher and Safety Officer awards.  The tickets are $5.00 each and the drawing will be held January 31st at the Everett Post’s meeting.  That will give you a couple of days to get your new TV set up to watch the Super Bowl on February 3rd.

Pearl Harbor Day– Naval Station

The Navy is holding a Remembrance Day Ceremony on December 7th at 10:30AM.  They are asking that anyone with Pearl Harbor memorabilia who would like to lend it the Navy for the day contact Troy Schulz at [email protected].  In addition, anyone who would like to attend and does not have access to the base or been approved previously, submit your full name, birth date and driver’s license number/state.  In any event, please RSVP Troy at the email address above or call him at 425-304-3357.  After the ceremony, lunch will be served in the All American café at a cost of $6.95/person.  Having eaten there, I can say it is a heck of a deal. Our own Erv Schmidt is a Pearl Harbor survivor who lost shipmates that day and will be the speaker.  We hope to see you there.

New Members

James Cox

James Cox

James Cox, who is a native of Beaverton, Oregon, retired from the Air Force as a Major.  He was a navigator, assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC).  For most of his career, he flew on KC-135’s on aerial refueling missions.  James served a combat tour in Southeast Asia, flying out of U Tapao and Tahkli Royal Thai Air Bases in Thailand.  While his primary mission was refueling B-52’s, his Wing supported all Air Force operations in Laos.  He and his wife, Sally, reside in Edmonds.  They have five adult children and are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren.

 

Dan A. White

Dan White

Dan A. White is a Seattle (and Doe Bay, WA) native. He joined the Army in 1946 and was part of occupation forces in Korea. After he completed Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Ft Sill, OK and Airborne School, he served again in Korea. He became part of the Army Reserve in 1953 and retired as a Colonel in 1989. Awards include a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service and the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Dan received degrees from Western Washington Univ and the UW. He was a teacher and college administrator. He and wife Shirley live in Edmonds. They have 4 sons.

 

Darren Blanchard

Darren BlanchardDarren Blanchard joined the Army in 1987 while living in Maine. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator. He served in Desert Shield. Awards include the Army Achievement and Good Conduct Medals. He resides in Edmonds.

 

Amos Chapman

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. The Killen was attacked by 9 Japanese Aircraft off of Leyte and was heavily damaged by a bomb, killing 15 crewmen, including the Captain. Amos resides in Edmonds. Amos retired from the US Postal Service Seattle. He has 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

 

Mark Williams

Mark is a Life Member and Marine transferring from Mercer Island Post 5760. Mark is a Seattle native. He’s a retired USMC Major, having served 1966-86. He had two tours in Vietnam flying both fixed-wing and a Cobra gunship. Decorations include Navy Commendation with Combat V and 16 Air Medals. He has degrees from UW and USC. He is active in the A-4 Skyhawk Association. He and wife Jacqueline reside in Edmonds.

 

Chaplain’s Corner—Rock Roth

Many of us had the very great privilege of speaking to students in the Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Seattle School Districts at Veterans Day Assemblies.  I for one was very encouraged by what I witnessed – the schools were actually teaching students patriotism and the important role played by our military in protecting our way of life.  We as members of the VFW were able to inform students (and equally important faculty and staff) that liberty and freedom are not free.  That with freedom also comes responsibility.  If we fail to “provide for the common defense”, America, as we know it, cannot long exist.

As I participated in a number of very well organized and orchestrated assemblies, I found one thing missing – prayer and a forum to express thanks to Almighty God for the freedom we enjoy.  Our Founding Father specifically recognized our “Creator”, “Divine Providence”, “Nature’s God”, and “Supreme Judge of the World”.   However, in our schools and in the education of our youth, any reference to or mention of God has been prohibited!  Why?  As your Chaplain, I question the wisdom of trying to make America a secular society.  We are to enjoy freedom of religion not freedom from religion.  I found the teachers encountered during Veterans Day Assemblies thoroughly outstanding.  I do question, however, the ever increasing responsibility we place on them!  The following is an email I received which states my views.  (I would give the author credit, if I knew who he or she was!)

NOMINATED FOR “BEST EMAIL OF THE YEAR 2012”

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: ‘Let me see if I’ve got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning. You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and

sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride. You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote,

balance a checkbook, and apply for a job. You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.  You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps. You want me to do all this, and then you tell me. . .. I CAN’T PRAY?’

District Meeting—January 5th

Just a note to mark your calendars for the 5th of January when the District meeting will recognize the various student essay winners and teachers of the year.  Our Post will be co-hosting the meeting with Post 1040 and we will need members at the Alderwood Boys and Girls Club by 11:00AM to set up for the meeting and to tear down afterwards.  Since the next newsletter won’t hit your doorstop before the 2nd of January, this gives you plenty of time to plan on attending the meeting.  For you old timers who have attended this in the past, please be advised we will begin the awards ceremony during lunch (approximately 12:30) and have a short District meeting following the award ceremony.  This should expedite the meeting.

Helping the Post by Paying your Dues

This is a blatant plea for everyone who is a continuous member to pay their dues.  Dues are $25 for a year and while you are not officially delinquent (and no longer a VFW member) until the end of the year, you would make life much easier on Quartermaster Tom and Commander Fred if you would drop a check in the mail.  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.