Author Archive: Editor

All of our members should have received an email with sign-up sheets like this one attached, from which to select your location and schedule for Buddy Poppy distribution. Again, you will have an opportunity to sign up at the Post meetiing, or you can select your time and location and email to Vice Commander Duane Bowman ([email protected]).

The sign up sheets for the other three locations, QFC Westgate, QFC 196th & 76th and Town & Country Market (formerly Central Market) Mill Creek have exactly the same schedules, so pick your time and location and be ready to join us!

In two early Poppy efforts at the Edmonds Summer Market, we collected $459.50 in donations on September 25 and approximately $ 1,000 on July 17.

Among VFW members helping out those events were: Carl Kurfess, Duane Bowman, Rob Low, Phil Sacks, Dan Doyle, Mike Denton, Cal Barnard, Paul Russo. Les Abel let us into the hall to pick up the VFW canopy, poppies, tables, and chairs.

It turns out we did not need the canopy, tables and chairs. The Market folks set them up for us free of charge. In September, we also handed out at least 3 VFW applications and 3 American Legion plus meeting information to veterans who are prospective members.

Buddy Poppy Sign-UPs

Veterans Day Observance Planned

Our Veterans Day observance will take place at the Edmonds Veterans Plaza at 11:00 AM on Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11.

There will be short remarks from Post officers and recognition pins distributed, including the Vietnam Veteran pin and a new lapel pin that recognizes the widows of veterans, which observes the 50th anniversary of that conflict. It is The Deceased Vietnam Veteran’s Surviving Spouse pin, for the surviving spouse at the time of death of a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location of service. The pin is displayed here, both front and back.

The Post intends this to be a fairly low key event, recognizing the continuing hazard of the COVID pandemic and urges everyone participating to come with their mask and take appropriate social distancing precautions.

Veterans Day Observance

In Memoriam

Richard ‘Dick’ Cassutt

We have learned of the recent loss of one of our members, Richard “Dick” Cassutt , a very active Life Member of the post, including as a regular participant in our bi-annual “Buddy Poppy” events and school visits. Dick was usually present at Post meetings until recently, when health issues began to catch up with him. Dick’s widow Virginia tells us he passed away on October 7. May he rest in peace.

In Memoriam, News, Newsletter Articles

Richard 'Dick’ Cassutt

News from VFW 8870

Flag Donated to Edmonds Waterfront Center

You may recall that last year VFW Post 8870 and American Legion Post 66 joined to make a substantial contribution to provide a new flag pole in front of the Edmonds Waterfront Center. The flag pole, which is well built, includes a full lighting feature to allow 24 hour display of the national ensign, has sat empty since the building opened. Now, thanks to our Auxiliary, a flag, large enough to be appropriate to the facility can be displayed. In the photo above are shown, (L to R) Mary Davenport of VFW Auxiliary District 1, 8870 Auxilary President Joe Boyett and Patsy Etheridge- Neal 8870 Sec. Treas., displaying the flag to Daneil Johnson, CEO of Edmonds Waterfront Center (not shown).

Edmonds Waterfront Center, Flag Donated

September Post Meeting

We are having excellent participation in our monthly post meetings of late. In September, sixteen members attended in person plus another six via zoom.

In the photo at left Post Chaplain Dan Doyle is pictured with our speaker, Matthew Durkee, Interim Director, Veteran Resource Ctr, Edmonds College, who gave us an update on the college programs in support of student veterans.

The Legion Hall is rated for considerably more participants (50) than we are seeing, so members can feel comfortable attending in person. Again, masks are optional for vaccinated members.

From the Bookshelf

by Fred Apgar

The Saltwater Frontier

By Andrew Lipman

Andrew Lipman’s well researched book, The Saltwater Frontier, provides readers with a new and interesting way of thinking about what he refers to as America’s first frontier, the waterways and land between the Hudson River and Cape Cod. Ultimately, the Native Americans who called the area their homeland, became victims of the competition between the Dutch and English to establish its colonies.

Lipman’s historical perspective focuses on 17th century America and the depth and breadth of his research is impressive, drawing upon archeological and historical records, as well as verbal accounts of Native American traditions, readers are introduced to the Saltwater Frontier with a discussion regarding the customs, cultures, and lifestyles of the various Native American communities that lived and thrived along its numerous waterways.

Upon their arrival to the northeast coastline, the Dutch and English discovered a seafaring people who traversed the shorelines in their unique style of boats, harvesting the food resources provided by the ocean and river waters. It was the native “watermen” who provided valuable and much needed assistance to the newly established European communities of New Amsterdam and New England.

Lipman concludes his discussion regarding the Saltwater Frontier with a cautionary tale about the rise and fall of the whaling industry. Benefitted by the involvement of some Native Americans, the success of the whaling industry proved to be its downfall. Overfishing led to the decline of the industry however, whaling led to the creation of other maritime jobs and, ultimately, to the survival of some Native American communities on the Saltwater Frontier and the establishment of the coastal waters of the northeast as the first settled frontier in the New World.

The Saltwater Frontier

Military Trivia

military trivia, USAF Aircraft

by Carl Kurfess

Can you identify this USAF Aircraft?

The Sikorsky MH-60G/HH-60C Pave Hawk is a twin-turboshaft engine helicopter in service with the United States Air Force. It is a derivative or the UH·60 Black Hawk and entered service in 1982.
The MH-60G Pave Hawk’s primary mission is insertion and recovery operations personnel, while the HH-60G Pave Hawk’s core mission is recovery of personnel under hostile conditions, including combat search and rescue. Both versions conduct day or night operations into hostile environments.
Because or its versatility, the HH-60G may also perform peacetime operations such as civil search und rescue, emergency aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC), disaster relief, international aid and counter-drug activities.
Cost is approximately $30 million each.

Military Trivia, News

Gold Star Mothers August Post Meeting Speakers

At the Post meeting on August 18, Monica McNeal, President of Washington Gold Star Mothers gave the Post an update on the group’s efforts. She reminded us of their mission statement:

“Finding strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families and our communities.” Gold Star Mothers are, of course, those whose sons or daughters have been killed in service to their country.

McNeal then introduced Tennis de Jong, USMC veteran and a member of the Monument Committee, who presented an overview of the Gold Star Family Monument program. At the upper left is a photo of the Monument, one of which will be installed at Lynnwood’s Veteran Park in 2022. This Monument is sponsored by the Gold Star Mothers and the Hershel “Woody” Williams Foundation. These monuments help Gold Star Families and the community to remember and to see that their loved ones will not be forgotten.

Gold Star Mothers, Post Meeting Speakers

9/11 – 20 Years Later – Never Forget

On the morning of Saturday September 11, 2021 a group of fire fighters, veterans and interested Edmonds citizens gathered in a rather impromptu and unrehearsed observance of the morning of one of the nation’s great tragedies that, over the next twenty years resulted in some of our greatest moments and some would say some of our worst.

The City of Edmonds had earlier planned a 20th anniversary observance, but later announced its cancellation in response to the latest COVID outbreaks. A few of us from VFW Post 8870, along with other veterans and a group of firefighters gathered to say a few words and hold a flag ceremony, accompanied by a Fire Department bagpiper. Retired Edmonds Police office/ bugler Debbie Dawson played taps.

Those attending from the post included Commander Carl Kurfess, Past Commanders Jim Traner and Mike Denton, Chaplain Dan Doyle and Mike Reagan.

Mike Schindler, of Operation Military Families, Monica McNeal of Washington Gold Star Mothers, local businessman & city council candidate Will Chen and Chaplain Doyle said a few words. (City Council Candidate Janelle Cass was also present)

The flag ceremony was lead by Dave “Bronco” Erickson. Erickson, a retired fire fighter, led in the acquisition of the steel from ground zero and the building of the 9/11 Memorial next to the downtown fire station.

9/11 20 years

VFW Joins Other VSOs to Launch 9/11 Memorial Golf Fund

The 9/11 Memorial Golf Fund will hold fundraising events each year in honor of the anniversary of September 11 through a series of events that include fundraising efforts and collaborative events. This year’s kick-off is a Text-to-Give campaign. Those who wish to give are encouraged to donate $9.11 by texting “911 GOLF” to 91999 now through Dec. 31, 2021.

For more information, visit: https://911memorialgolffund.org/.

9/11 Memorial Golf Fund

VFW Eagle Scout Certificates Presented

On Saturday, Aug. 28, Post Commander Carl Kurfess, along with Chaplain Doyle and Past Commander Mike Denton, attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor to present the new Eagles with VFW recognition certificates as an additional honor. The Scouts are shown in the above photo at left and are, left to right, Michael Frary, Ethen Moore, Colin Thorpe and Max Alevarado.

The event was arranged by Chaplain Doyle, a close friend of Alverado’s father, who is a troop leader. Denton, not shown,, was acting as photographer and was gratified to recall the father of Colin Thorpe as a member of the Cub Scout Pack of which he was once Cubmaster.