News

This is tough to present properly, but I will try to give you folks who don‘t attend meetings an idea of Mike‘s work. Mike is reading a poem that a Gold Star mother wrote to Mike at the presentation at the last meeting. However, I want all of you who haven‘t seen his work up close to look at some of the 2,600 portraits that Mike has drawn. What you see are a sample of the 12 poster collages of Mike‘s drawings of KIA‘s primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. Multiply 2,600 times the family members that have been impacted by his work and you understand why our Post supports his efforts and will continue to do so.

You will be receiving , if you already haven‘t, a bill for your dues as your membership expired 6/30. If the Post receives your payment by September 30th, your dues will be reduced to $20. After that, they will increase to the usual $25. Hey—that is a 20% savings so pay early and take advantage of putting $5 into your pocket. Better yet, consider a life membership. And if you know anyone who is a member at large (unaffiliated with a Post), remind them that they are paying $35—that is $15 too much. Give them an application to our Post.

The Post joined Post 1040 for a ball game between the Everett Aquasox and the Tri-City Dust Devils (love that name). We had a great turnout and enjoyed an entertaining game including one play that allowed an Aquasox batter to reach first on an error and subsequently score on the same play with a second error. I didn’t keep a score card for the game, but it would have been a tough one to record as the ball was touched by what seemed to be about half of the Dust Devil’s team. If you didn’t make it, you missed one heck of good time including a fantastic fireworks show following the game. We will make sure we do this again next year.

Al Wilcox, long time Post member passed away on July 13th at the age of 90, Al was a Marine fighter pilot in WWII and the recipient of the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Al founded Wilcox Construction and his son, Bob, who is a Vietnam Veteran, is a candidate for the City Council. It is tough losing members like Al and the other WWII veterans who did so much for this country.

We had a great turnout of Post members at the Frances Anderson Playfield. Jim Collins honchoed the event and we presented the colors (with American Legion Post 66) to open the event. 8870 had a table giving out flags and safety brochures to the kids and we had an enjoyable evening.

Hello! I‘m Valerie Ehlers, the new President of Edmonds Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post #8870.

Commander Traner and I have agreed that the Post and Auxiliary will be working together more than we have in the past. Therefore, I hope we will all get to know each other better too.

Our membership numbers were reduced by nine persons last year. Six we lost over eligibility issues and three of our sisters passed away. Gentlemen, please, if you have not done so already, have your wives, daughters, sisters, and granddaughters join us in the Auxiliary. We would really like to get to know them, and just think how they could help us know the things you would like us to be working on!

Some of the goals I have for the Auxiliary this year include: increasing membership, making the meetings more fun to attend, keeping in touch with members who are unable to attend the meetings, getting the members to know each other better, and to make or break the goals set for us by District and Department.

Like the Post, we will be having a Buddy Poppy drive in November the weekend before Veteran‘s Day (our meeting day). I plan to have an Auxiliary Christmas Party in addition to our December meeting. There are some ideas rolling around in my head for fundraising activities for some of our programs.

Remember, District One‘s School of Instruction will be the day after our September meeting (Sept. 10). Until next time, Thank you for the service you have given to God, to our Country, and to us.

September 10th is the School of Instruction. While this is mandatory for Officers, I would recommend that anyone who is interested in learning more about the VFW attend. This is also a good opportunity to meet your counterparts from other Posts. Lunch is at noon and the meeting will start at 1:00PM. It will be held at the Alderwood Boys and Girls Club in Lynnwood. Proceed east on 196th and cross I-5. Take the first right at the stop light just pass the Old Spaghetti Factory. The facility is approximately 100 yards from the corner on the left hand side. Enter through the door on the North side of the building.

Don Whedon is our Service Officer this year. If you are having problems with the VA and need assistance to file a claim, please contact him at 425-218-0034 or email him at [email protected] – remember that our Post‘s Service Officer is here to help you so do not hesitate to contact Don if you have a problem.