This month’s cartoon from Commander Duane is for our USMC comrades, which brings up the question of where the term “jarhead” originates. Google isn’t a lot of help, with all sorts of silly notions which attribute the origin to some aspects of the modem dress uniform, but if you really dig in to your history, the image shown here of the hat worn with the USMC uniform of the War of 1812 period tells you all you need to know! It appears the use of the term dates to that time and originated with sailors of that period. It may, in fact have been originally imported from the British Navy from whose Marines our own uniform of the time was adapted. The hat and high (leather, hence leathernecks) collar were designed to deflect cutless strikes in action. (Wouldn’t want our Marines losing their heads) Marines can and should wear that moniker with pride.
Our Meeting program consisted of dedication ceremonies for “Traner’ s Comer”, the new seating area across from the entrance to the Hall, which the late Jim Traner was instrumental in creating. Jim worked with Charlie Gaul and his wife to arrange the acquisition of the seating for this new gathering area and the two Posts, VFW 8870 and American Legion 66 decided to name it in Jim’s honor.
Joining us for the occasion were distinguished guests Terry Traner, Department of Washington Commander Craig Daugherty, and District 1 Commander Terry Stenson. Senior Vice Commander Rose Gilliland filled in for the absent Commander Duane Bowman and is seen in the first photo below introducing Terry Traner. At right, Department Commander Daugherty, holding the commemorative plaque for the dedication with Terry at his side, points outs Traners Comer in the rear of the hall.
In addition to dedicating Traner’s Corner, Ron Clyborne was recognized for his key role (along with Jim Traner) in the creation of the Edmonds Veterans Plaza. (See separate article with photos of the new Veterans Plaza bench to be dedicated on Veterans Day.) Ron and his wife Michelle are shown below in the new Corner. In the background are the drawing of Jim Traner which was presented to Terry and the Post by our resident artist Michael Reagan, as well as a stained glass representation of the 11th Armored Cavalry in which Jim servced in Vietnam. At right below, District 1 Commander Stenson looks on.
Minutes of the Post Business Meeting which began at 1815hrs.
The minutes from the September meeting were read and approved by the membership.The Quartermaster’s report was reviewed and approved by the membership.
Expenditures were approved by the membership as follows: $1,464.13 for the engraving for the memorial bench in honor of Jim Traner and Ron Clyborne. $ 92.35 for the All American Red cover for Past Commander Carl Kurfess.The next District 1 Meeting will be at Post 2100 on 11/18/2023.
A motion was made by Fred Apgar to Name Post 8870 the Jim Traner Post 8870 in honor of all that Jim did for our Post. The motion was 2nd by Tom Hallums.
After discussion and input from several members the membership voted not to change the name of the Post. This was done mainly due to the fact that Jim had expressed to various members and family that he did not want his name to be part of the Post name. ( Or anyone else’s for the that matter, ed.)
A dedication ceremony will be held at 1:00 PM on Veterans day, 11/11/2023 at the Edmonds Veterans Plaza. At that time we will dedicate a bench to honor Jim Traner and Ron Clyborne for all of the work that they did to create the Edmonds Veterans Plaza.
The next Post Meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2023.
The Edmonds Veterans Plaza has been with us for a few years now, having been dedicated on Memorial Day in 2017. What many don’t realize is just how integral a part VFW members Jim Traner and Ron Clyborne had in its creation. Without their vision and energy, in the initial concept and in putting together a team to bring their dream to fruition, it never would have happened.
Following Traner’ s passing this past summer, the Post decided to dedicate one of the benches in the circular setting area on the east side of the Plaza to our two comrades who had such a large part in bringing this jewel to Edmonds veterans. The photo above, shows the bench with it’s engraving complete. A dedication ceremony will be held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2023 at 1 :00 PM. Above right is a photo help us locate the bench within the plaza.
Please turn in all raffle ticket money and stubs at the November Post Meeting, or subsequent Wednesdays at the Legion Hall, between 4:30 and 5:30 PM. Raffle tickets will again be available for distribution to the members at the November Post meeting. If you can’t make the meeting contact Commander Duane (Commander@VFW 8870.com) and he will see that you get tickets.
We are offering 500 tickets at$ 10.00 each, to raise a total of $5,000.00 for our ongoing Post operations. The drawing will be held at the VFW Holiday party on December 16, at the Legion Hall.
Results shown at left are approximate, as of November 9.
With Veterans Day falling on a Saturday this year, we found it necessary to split our poppy drive efforts between two weekends, to allow us fit everyting into our schedule.
We began on Saturday, November 4, operating at just two locations, QFC Westgate in Edmonds and Town & Country Market in Mill Creek. We collected over $ 4,700, roughly equally divided between the two locations. On the weekend of Veterans Day, we will be at three stores on Friday, Nov 10, adding the QFC Speedway location to the mix. It looks to be another successful outing that will result in keeping our Veterans Relief programs well funded.
In the photo above, 8870 members Dan Doyle, Charlie Gaul and Richard Balogna are shown manning one of the two doors we worked at QFC Edmonds.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
In the Spring, our Comrade Jim Traner was supposed to depart on his Honor Flight from SeaTac Airport. In his true selfless form, Jim wanted someone else “more deserving,” (or something to that effect) to go in his place. Someone else went in Jim’s place, but none were more deserving than Jim. Jim was rescheduled to go on the more recent Honor Flight to our Nation’s Capitol. Unfortunately, Jim passed this summer before he could go on his Honor Flight. With permission from his wife, Jim’s burial flag went on the trip in his honor.
Jim’s friend and Comrade from VFW Post 1040 returned his flag for us. (At right with Dept. Commander Craig Daugherty.)
While we would much rather have had Jim on that flight, thank you to all who helped honor Jim’s memory, and thank you very much Walt Tanimoto for sharing these images with us.
The Military Order of the Cootie is an organization within VFW, about which we have heard nothing in this publication before now. From our District 1 newsletter, we learn that there is now a Cootie “Pup Tent”, as the local units are called, in our District and we hope to provide our readers with more information in future.
The Cooties are a part of the VFW. It is a distinction reserved for “active” members who have succeeded as an officer or post committee chair and demonstrated ability as a leader. In addition to the important work of the VFW, Cooties take on the added responsibility of support for the VFW National Home for Children and follow our self-appointed directive to “Keep ’em Srnilin’ in Beds of White,” supporting the hospitalized veterans in VA Medical Facilities, dorniciliaries, and hospitals throughout the world.
Local units recruit new VFW members each year, raise thousands of dollars for local Post programs; thousands more for the National Home, and literally millions of dollars in volunteer credits at VA Medical Centers each year. We will be looking for more input from our local “Cooties” to help us in understanding this group within our group.
A reminder to all Post 8870 members: This is your opportunity to help our Post support Veterans in need, by selling raffle tickets to your friends & family. Of course you may wish to win this one-of-a-kind image for your own wall at home!
Raffle tickets will again be distributed to the members at the October Post meeting. If you can’t make the meeting contact Commander Duane ([email protected]) and he will see that you get tickets.
We are offering 500 tickets at $ 10.00 each, to raise a total of $ 5,000.00 for our ongoing Post operations.
Comrade Mike Reagan, is generously making this unique item available for our raffle. (In fact the whole project was Mike’s idea!)
Tum in your sold ticket stubs and the money at the Post Meeting, or watch for the Commander’s email on other scheduled opportunities.
This project needs everyone’s participation.
Drawing will be held at the VFW Holiday Party, December 16, 2023.
