Author Archive: Editor

Chaplain’s Corner—Rock Roth

JUST ASKING?

Me: God, can I ask you a question? God: Sure.
Me: Promise you won’t get mad. God: I promise.
Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today? God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late. God: Yes.
Me: My car took forever to start. God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait. God: Huummm.
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call. God: All right.
Me: And on top of it all, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager and relax, but it wouldn’t work!  Nothing went right today! Why did you do that? God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.

Me: (humbled): OH…   God: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed)  God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn’t want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn’t afford to miss work.
Me: (embarrassed): Ok…   God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn’t even let you talk to them so you would be covered.
Me: (softly) I see God.  God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I’m sorry God.  God: Don’t be sorry – just learn to trust me…..in all things, the good and the bad.
Me: I will trust you.  God: And don’t doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.
Me: I won’t God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.  God: You’re welcome child. It was just another day being your God, and I love looking after my children.

We do not understand God’s Ways; His Ways are not our ways.  However, through faith we trust in His everlasting love.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.  Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23)

New Member Profiles

VFW 8870 Dennis Adams

Dennis Adams

Dennis is a native of Richland, WA. He served with the Marine Corps 1968-70. He was a machine gunner with the 3rd Marines in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart. He’s a retired police officer and works now as a Mortgage Loan Officer. He and wife Lou Ann live in Bothell. They have a son Steve and daughter Sherry.

 

VFW 8870 new member John McCoy

John McCoy

John is a Seattle native. He served with the US Army and Washington National Guard. He served two tours of duty in Iraq (Baghdad and Mosul) as an infantryman and Team Leader. Awards include Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals. He also participated in Hurricane Katrina Relief. John is a Field Organizer and resides in Shoreline. He has an Associates Degree from Shoreline CC and is transferring to Evergreen State College. John has four brothers who have served.

 

VFW 8870 new member David Beavers

David Beavers

David is transferring from Post 6599 in Seattle. He is a native of Chicago and served with the US Army 1989-2000. He was a medical Sergeant and Airborne. He was in Operation Desert Shield in 1991 with time in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. He also served in Korea 1992. Awards include Army Commendation and Achievement Medals. David resides in Lynnwood, is a chef and is in culinary school. Daughter Leasee’s mother is currently an Army Sergeant in Afghanistan.

The Last Word

On Friday September 15, 2012 our nation will observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day.  Hopefully, communities across America will conduct appropriate ceremonies to honor those Americans who have returned from their ordeals as Prisoners of War (POW’S), and honor the memory of those Americans who are listed as Missing In Action (MIA) and have either died while in captivity or are still unaccounted for.  At present, over 83,000 Americans are still missing from past conflicts.

The National POW/MIA Recognition Day was the creation of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.  The League was formed by families who were frustrated by the lack of information regarding the status of family members who had either never been repatriated after having thought to have been held captive in Southeast Asia or who had been listed as MIA and were still unaccounted for.  In response to the League’s initiative, Congress passed a resolution authorizing the first-ever National POW/MIA Recognition Day to be observed on July 18, 1979.  This became an annual event, and commencing in 1986 and continuing until the present, the recognition day was held on the third Friday in September.

Prominently displayed during all recognition ceremonies is the POW/MIA flag.  The POW/MIA flag was designed by Newt Heisley, and it features a white disc bearing the silhouette of a young man, a watch tower with a guard on patrol, and a strand of barbed wire.  Above the disc in white letters is written POW and MIA.  Below the disc is a black and white wreath above the motto, “You Are Not Forgotten”.  Next month, we will provide an overview of the wonderful work being performed by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).

 

Who Is that Guy—Carl Kurfess

Who Is that Guy—Carl Kurfess

Carl Kurfess is a born and raised Seattle native. He attended Army ROTC at Seattle University and was commissioned a 2nd LT in Infantry in 1983. He attended Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne school and was stationed in Germany as a Mechanized Infantry Platoon Leader. He joined theReserves in 1986 in Seattle and served in various Army Reserve Units. He was mobilized for Operationin2003 much to his surprise. He was lured to the dark-side, branch transferred to Civil Affairs and volunteered for and completed four tours in Iraq; 2003-2004 at Camp Victory, 2005-2006 in the Green Zone, 2007-2008 at Camp Victory and 2009-2010 at FOB Warhorse as a Civil Affairs specialist, working with local Iraqi government officials in reconstruction efforts. He retired from the Army Reserves in 2011 with 28 years of service.

Fred Apgar Takes Command

It was nice to sit in the back of the room and watch Comrade Fred take over command of Post 8870.  Of course, he did a great job in his first meeting as Post Commander.  The Post continues to grow and add new members, take on new challenges, and make its mark on the community and Fred has been and will continue to be an integral part of the success of Post 8870.

Aquasox Game—August 25th

For the past couple of summers, we have teamed up with Post 1040 and spent an evening at the Aquasox game in Everett.  This year, the entire District 1 and its eight Posts are going to spend a night at the game.  Tickets will be $10 (discounted) and we hope to get 30 or 40 of us at the game.  There are tentative plans to have one of our District 1 veterans throw out the first pitch.  Following the game, the Aquasox are having a fireworks show which is usually great.  If you are interested, let the Quartermaster know ([email protected]) or call 425-672-0279 and leave a message on the number of tickets you need.

Fourth of July Parade & BBQ

Fourth of July Parade & BBQ

The 4th of July parade was a fantastic event.  Our Senior Vice Chris Edwards (or as he is known to his troopers “1st Sergeant Edwards”) was able to bring down 4 military vehicles from the reserve center.  The parade was lead by members from 8870,1040 and American Legion Post 66 carrying the Colors, POW flag, and Post Colors.  In addition, we had about 12-15 who walked (including Buck Weaver who is 94) and a bunch of folks (Dexter Miller is pictured above) in the various vehicles including the deuce and half, 3/4 ton, and Humvees provided by the Army.  The parade route was packed, perhaps 2-3 deep over most of the route on both sides of the mile route.  After 30 days of rain and gloom, the 4th ended up being sunny and warm.  Following the parade, we met at Shelter #2 at the City Park.  We invited all veterans to join us and we had a crowd.  The 50 hotdogs and 50 hamburgers disappeared immediately and Dennis Peterson came to the rescue by bringing his own smoker BBQ and cooking pulled pork sandwiches which were a hit.  I’m not sure how many folks we served but the chow line seemed to last for an hour or so.  The after action report suggested that this would become an annual event and Ron Clyborne has requested the shelter for next year so mark your calendars to attend next year.

Post Celebrates 30th Birthday Party

Our Post is 30 years old this August.  In honor of our birthday, we will have cake in lieu of Senior Center desert so save some room for it.  To anyone who was a founding member and reading this article if you could drop a short note to us about those early years it would be sincerely appreciated.  We have lost a lot of history over the years, particularly with the passing of Mary Justason, our first Quartermaster.  It would be nice to revisit history with a few stories from any of you who wish to attend the meeting or drop a note to us.

Freedom Scholarship Winners

Freedom Scholarship Winners

Sr. Vice Commander Chris Edwards is shown with our four scholarship winners—Rob Willcox (Edmonds Woodway H.S., Madison Azim (Mariner H.S.), Katarina Nguyen (Edmonds Woodway H.S.) and Jay Bennett (Kamiak High School).  The four read their winning essays at our July Post meeting.  Everyone of them is a superstar and our selection committee did a marvelous job in picking quality young persons to be awarded $1,000 to the college where they will be attending.

John Steed Passes

John Steed Passes

Long-time Post member John Steed passed away on July 9th.  John was a regular in the 4th of July parade over the years wearing his helmet and uniform from WWII.  The Charter will be covered in our August meeting in memory of him.

Tom Hallums Awarded White Hat

Tom Hallums Awarded White Hat

Jim Traner and Past District Commander Ron Haley presented Tom Hallums with his White Hat which was awarded at the Department Convention in Airway Heights.  Jim received one as well but is wearing his District 1 Commanders hat.  After he finishes his tour as District Commander, he will pull the White Hat out of the drawer and wear it proudly as it represents a lot of hard work on the part of Post members last year.  In addition, Ron Haley read the 8 Department or National awards presented to the Post at the Department Convention.  It is obvious that our Post is at the head of the line when it comes to being active for veterans and in our community.