This year’s “Freedom” Scholarships were awarded to 5 deserving students as follows:
Samantha Rohwer – Kamiak High School Hannah Goerg – Mariner High school Mya Sheffield – Mountlake Terrace High School Troy David Slocum – Archbishop Murphy High School Kyra Ross – Meadowdale High school
Slocum and Ross were our guests at the meeting and both read their respective scholarship essays for the assembled membership. Both students’ parents were also on hand. Members of the Scholarship Committee also plan to attend the Senior A wards ceremonies at each of the winner’s high schools to recognize them.
Kyra, left and Troy, right are shown with their award certificates.
Senior Awards Night
All of our local high schools conduct Senior A wards ceremonies for their graduating students who have received academic, sports and community service awards. Members of our Scholarship Committee attended these events to recognize our Freedom Scholarship winners to their school community.
At right is Kyra Ross of Meadowdale H.S. who was recognized at that school’s event by Committee member Mike Denton.
The elected and appointed officers for the 2023/2024 year are as follows: These members were installed to their positions by PAST District 1 Commander Jim Traner:
Commander – Duane Bowman Sr Vice Commander – Rose Gilliland Jr Vice Commander – Carl Kurfess Quartermaster – Jim Traner Chaplain – Dan Doyle 1 Year Trustee – Don Stapleton 2 Year Trustee – Mike Denton 3 Year Trustee – Kerry Watkins Adjutant – Calvin Barnard Service Officer – Alden Gilliland Judge Advocate – Jim Traner Surgeon – Bryan Rowe
Our 2023-24 District Commander is Terry Stinson of VFW Post 7511 in Monroe shown below.
Our own Carl Kurfess is the new Sr Vice Commander and Jim Traner is the Judge Advocate.
The balance of the District 1 Staff: Jr. Vice Commander, Chris Cote of Post 921 Quartermaster, Don Wischmann, Post 2100 Adjutant, John Beam, Post 1040 Chaplain, Ricky Andrew, Post 7511 Surgeon, Elmer Johnson, Post 921 Officer of the Day, Michael Bowling, Post 7511 Trustee #1, Courtney Griffith, Post 9417 Trustee #2, Dave Ortega, Posst 7511 Trustee #3, Doug White. Post 9417
The new District website is up and running, where members will find more detailed information about each of the new District staff: https:// www.vfwdistrictl.org/. You may also sign up to subscribe to the District newsletter on the web page.
Members of Edmonds VFW Post 8870 participated once again in the Edmonds Memorial Day Ceremony at the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery on Monday, May 29, 2023. Over 25 Post 8870 members, wives, family members and American Legion Post 66 members attended. Post 8870 members marched in the opening ceremony and the Honor guard raised the flag. Post Scholarship Winner Troy Slocum read his essay. Post member Chris Edwards played Taps. Post Commander Carl Kurfess read the White Table ceremony. Korean War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Phil Sacks rang the bell for the fallen.
Speakers included Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson, who reminded the audience that “Edmonds is a Purple Heart City, where we honor and remember those who were wounded or killed in combat.”
“We remember your sacrifice, your pain, and those who were robbed of their future so we could have ours,” he concluded. “Your sacrifices will never be forgotten.”
(The Purple Heart Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who were wounded in combat action or posthumously to the next of kin of those who are killed or die of wounds received in action.
Troy SlocumMike NelsonRobert Olivarez
Nelson was followed by keynote speaker Marine Sgt. Robert Olivarez, the Junior National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
“This is a day to pay tribute to those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Olivarez began.
“What they gave defined and made possible our freedoms and our way oflife. We owe them a debt that cannot be repaid.
Following the larger event at the Cemetery, the post put on a short event at the Edmonds Veterans Plaza, Featuring the same keynote speakers. In the photo at right, Post Chaplain Dan Doyle leads an opening prayer.
Below right, Jim Traner hands out Vietnam anniversary pins to veterans and family members.
On May 22, Commander Carl Kurfess, along with Post members Parnia Parvini, Mike Denton and Jeff Mckinney, attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for two young men of Troop 312 at the Edmonds United Methodist Church. Both were presented with Eagle Scout belt buckles and VFW certificates of recognition.
Shown in the photo are new Eagle Scouts Wyatt Adams, left center and Andrew Young to Adams’ right, with their parents. Congratulations to both on this singular accomplishment!
Be sure you pick up your new Post shirt, if you ordered one.
The new Post 8870 polo Shirts are available to be picked up at the June Post meeting for those who ordered them. $21/each. Wear them with your cover for the Parade on July 4.
The shirt will have the VFW Maltese Cross logo with VFW Post 8870 in gold. An image of the basic shirt is at right.
On Friday and Saturday prior to Memorial Day, members of VFW Post 8870 & Auxilliary, along with American Legion Post 66 members, family and friends, manned the tables at QFC Westgate in Edmonds, QFC Speedway, Mukilteo and Town & Country Market in Mill Creek to distribute VFW Buddy Poppies in remembrance of those lost in battle during our country’s conflicts.
Recipients of the Poppy were generous, as usual and contributed in excess of $15,500.00 over the two day effort. These funds will allow us to expand some of our efforts to help our comrades in need and continue our contribution the many programs we have long supported.
A number of our members participated both days, in some cases all day. Well done!
At our April Post meeting our speaker was of OEI, an organization that seeks out veterans with hearing loss, who may qualify for a no cost “caption” telephone for their home. (One of these devices is shown here). Scott explained that the program is paid by government using revenues from a tax levied on communications companies.
As the photo illustrates, the device puts the conversation up on on the screen in large type, to allow the user to more easily and accurately follow the conversation.
Veterans interested in this service can contact Scott by phone at 206-910-9594, or via email: [email protected]. More information is also available on their website: https://oeius.org/
April Post Business Meeting Report
New Members: Shannon Yates & Joe Gray were introduced and proposed as members by Membership Chair Jim Traner. Both were approved by vote of the membership and we are pleased to welcome them to the Post.
We will hold election of officers for the 2023/24 VFW year at our May meeting. The members nominated for the elective positions are:
Commander – Duane Bowman Sr Vice Commander – Rose Gilliland Jr Vice Commander – Carl Kurfess Quartermaster – Jim Traner Chaplain – Dan Doyle 3-Year Trustee – Kerry Watkins
Post Service Officer Alden Gilliland has been quite busy assisting veterans was various issues regarding veterans programs. Gilliland feels that we need to look at increasing the Service officer’s budget, in order to be able to help more of our comrades. We discussed providing some money to the Everett Naval Base so that they can give gift cards to those in need as part of this increased effort.
Seventeen applications have been received for the four scholarships that we have available this year. After review the chosen students will be invited to attend the May Post meeting to receive their award.
VFW Auxiliary assisted our Post with the beach cleanup on May 6. They will also hold a Buddy Poppy event on May 25 at the Edmonds Waterfront center.
The following were approved by the membership as delegates for the Department Convention in Spokane: Jim Traner, Duane Bowman, Dan Doyle, Mike Denton, Rose Gilliland & Alden Gilliland.
Calvin Barnard, Mike Denton & Duane Bowman will work on the details for the proposed raffle of a Mike Reagan portrait of a celebrity, signed by the subject. The bulk of this effort will happen from late summer with the drawing of the winning ticket at the Christmas party in December.
We have a Memorial Day ceremony at the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery at 11 AM and at the Edmonds Veterans Plaza at 1:30 PM. Volunteers will be needed for both services.
Al’s widow Jo Boyette informs us that a celebration of Al’s life will be held at 12:00 Noon, on Sunday, June 4 at Northlake Lutheran Church, 6620 NE 185th St. in Kenmore.
As we announced in the December issue of this newsletter, Al passed away late last year following a long bout with cancer. Al, an Army veteran, was long time active member of Post 8870, and his wife Jo a leader of the Auxilliary where she continues.
