News

Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal

Six members of Post 8870 were among 23 Korean War veterans honored by Edmonds Community College at their annual Veterans Day celebration November 2. The event filled the college’s Black Box Theater to standing room only.

The highlight of the event was the awarding of the Korean Ambassador for Peace medal to the Korean Veterans present. The medals were presented by the Korean consul general in Seattle, Moon Duk-ho. The proclamation accompanying it reads: “The Republic of Korea thanks these veterans for the service [they] performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy.”

Post 8870 member Jim Adams, Tom Hallums, Gil Loomis, Paul Poppe, Phil Sacks and Dan White were so honored.

The director of the college’s Veterans Resource Center, Navy retiree Chris Szarek, said, “Our campus chose to honor Korean War veterans as a way of ensuring that the brave men and women who served there know that their service is appreciated and to remind us of an often forgotten conflict.”

Other speakers at the event included state representative Cindy Ryu, who as Shoreline mayor was the first Korean American woman to be mayor of a U.S. city. Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith and Edmonds CC President Dr. Jean Hernandez also spoke. Our immediate past commander, Jim Blossey—also a Korean War veteran—was emcee for the program.

Korean War Vets gathered for a group photo following the ceremony. Legion and VFW members were joined by unaffiliated veterans

Chris Szarek, Cindy Ryu, Dan White, Dr. Jean Hernandez, EdCC Veterans Day Event, Gil Loomis, Jim Adams, Jim Blossey, Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal, Korean consul general in Seattle Moon Duk-ho, Korean War Veterans, Paul Poppe, phil sacks, tom hallums, Veterans Resource Center

Attention Korean War Veterans: Not included at the EdCC Ceremony?

The ROK would like to correct that for eligible veterans

At the recent Veteran’s Day ceremony at Edmonds Community College, many Korean War veterans were honored by the Government of South Korea and were presented with medals for their service. Unfortunately, not all Korean War veterans received the medals. Thanks to Post member Jim Adams, Korean officials would like to correct that oversight and honor all those men and women who defended their nation. To be eligible for this recognition, you must prove you served in the combat theater between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953. A copy of your DD 214 should suffice, assuming it reflects your service in Korea. Eligible veterans should mail a copy of your DD 214 or other documentation that indicates you served in-country between the listed dates to Fred Apgar at 13816 North Pointe Circle, Mill Creek, WA 98012. A representative from the Korean Government will make a special presentation to eligible Post members at a future meeting.

Government of South Korea, Korean War Veterans, ROK

Veterans Day at our Schools

Post 8870 member Dan White visited classrooms at Odyssey ES

Twenty-Six members of Post 8870 participated in Veterans Day school visits this year at all grade levels. Dick Simmons provided the following description of his visit to Sherwood Elementary School, which seems typical of the experience we all had:

“Had a great visit on Thursday the 10th at Sherwood Elementary School located in the Woodway area. An all-school assembly began at 10:50. The students filed in and we began with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the acknowledgment of the four Veterans in attendance, including me, a vet from Legion Post 244 someplace back east, and two other vets, one Vietnam and another Korean era.

The assembly included a white table ceremony that was conducted by a teacher and students using a description of the ceremony and its significance that has been described in a children’s book.

After the assembly one of the teachers asked me if I could spend some time visiting with her fifth graders which I did, visiting with two fifth grade classes at the same time. The kids pelted me with questions for an hour or so which I enjoyed answering as best I could until recess and continued to answer questions outside the classroom during recess.

The kids were extremely polite and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience just as I have for the past three years I’ve been attending their Veterans assembly.”

“Thanks for your help in allowing us to truly show kids what it means to serve our country and what Veterans day recognizes.”

Ryan Oxner, Odyssey Elementary Dean of Students

8870 member Jon Koenig speaking at Meadowdale MS with Post Commander Terry Crabtree.

Well Done!

To the following members who participated in Veterans Day School Visits

EdCC — Blossey, Szarek
Alderwood MS — Apgar
Discovery ES — Dentonn
Hazelwood ES — Doyle
Meadowdale ES — Gaul
Seaview ES — Kurfess
Voyager MS — Ward
Meadowdale MS — Crabtree, Koenig, Santopolo
Edmonds‐Woodway HS — Gaul, Mazerolle
Holy Rosary ES — Collins
Picnic Point ES — Traner
Arlington ES — McCann
Odyssey ES — White
Sherwood ES — Simmons
Olympic View MS — Traner
Scriber Lake HS — Blossey, Shelton, Whedon, Russo
Brier Terrace MS — Clyborne, Adams
Fairmount ES — Apgar
Martha Lake ES — Denton
Olivia Park ES — Crabtree, Williams
Mountlake Terrace ES — Kurfess
Edmonds ES — Sacks, Cassutt
College Place ES — Hallums
Brier ES — Apgar
Spruce ES — Edwards

Alderwood MS, Arlington ES, Brier ES, Brier Terrace MS, College Place ES, Discovery ES, EdCC, Edmonds ES, Edmonds‐Woodway HS, Fairmount ES, Hazelwood ES, Holy Rosary ES, Martha Lake ES, Meadowdale ES, Meadowdale MS, Mountlake Terrace ES, Odyssey ES, Olivia Park ES, Olympic View MS, Picnic Point ES, Scriber Lake HS, Seaview ES, Sherwood ES, Spruce ES, Veterans Day, Veterans Day School Visit, Voyager MS

The Story of One Vietnam Veteran

Many of our Post 8870 members are veterans of the Vietnam War and have compelling stories to tell of their time in country.

This month, thanks to a chance meeting with Jim McCann, Jim Murdock and Phil Sacks at the Lynnwood Fred Meyer while distributing poppies, we bring you the story of another sort of Vietnam veteran, one who was fighting for his own country’s freedom alongside his American comrades. This is the story of Vincent Pham, an American citizen born in Vietnam.

Born Pham Van Ban on February 1, 1949, in Hai Hung, Vietnam, this man’s life has taken him from studies in law as a young man through a military career amidst a war and again into the realm of advanced studies.

After graduating from the University of Vietnam Law School in 1970, he started a military career, first serving as an interpreter for US troops based in Long Binh. Later that year he began Air Force Cadet training and was sent to the United States for flight training. Beginning in July 1974, he served as a fighter pilot in the 4th Air Force Div., Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF).

Downed in combat and captured, First Lieutenant Ban was sent to prison in Kien Giang on May 2, 1975. He suffered many hardships during seven years in prison camps in Vietnam. On May 2, 1982, exactly seven years after the day of his capture, he escaped from Vietnam. He and his family fled by boat to a refugee camp in Thailand. During their escape from Vietnam, his twelve year old son was caught and imprisoned.

Between 1982 and 1984, he worked with the United Nations’ Save The Children Foundation in Indonesia. On August 10, 1984, Pham Van Ban and his family came to the United States and settled in Everett, Washington. Pham changed his name to Vincent Pham when he became a United States citizen in 1993.

In the summer 1994, Vincent Pham entered Everett Community College and received an Associate of Sciences Degree in Political Science. He has since continued his education at WWU and UW in political science.

Vincent volunteers with the Red Cross. His volunteer efforts are centered on disaster preparedness for the Vietnamese community in Snohomish County. He has translated into Vietnamese and presented Red Cross materials to more than 100 fellow citizens.

Pham Van Ban, Vietnam War, Vincent Pham

From the November Post Meeting

At our regular monthly meeting on November 15, in addition to routine Post business, Commander Terry Crabree presented Michael Reagan’s portrait of Wesley Fisk to his daughter and Gill Loomis displays the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal he received, along with the citation document, at the November 2 event at Edmonds Community College.

Gill Loomis, Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal, Michael Reagan, Wesley Fisk

Our December Post Meeting Speaker: Col. (USA Ret.) William S. Reeder

Col Reeder is a legendary aviator who has made contributions to survival, evasion, resistance, escape (SERE) training and the attack helicopter community. His 30-year career included two combat tours in Vietnam flying armed OV-1 Mohawk reconnaissance airplanes and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.

Colonel Reeder has in excess of 3,000 flight hours, over 1,000 in combat, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Purple Hearts. He was named AAAA Army Aviator of the Year in 1977.

AAAA Army Aviator of the Year, VFW 8870 Speaker, William S. Reeder

Christmas Party

The Post’s Christmas party will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 12:00 Noon, and lunch will be served at 1:00 PM. The annual pot-luck event will be held at the American Legion Hall in Edmonds. The American Legion and VFW Posts will supply turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, wine, beer, soft drinks, and coffee/tea. Families attending are asked to bring a dish that will be shared with others. We need side dishes, salads, rolls/bread, and desserts. Additionally, the “cost of admission” will be non-perishable food item(s) and/or unwrapped toys.

RSVP Please: Members who plan on attending the party are asked to sign up on the Post web site http:// vfw8870.org/volunteers-needed/, (under Holiday Party) indicating the number of guests and the class of food item you will bring. Family members and friends are invited to attend the party. We all look forward to the fellowship.

VFW8870 Holiday Party

Welcome New Members!

Duane Bowman

Duane is originally from Seattle. He served with the Army from Aug 1970 – Mar 1972. He was trained as a supply clerk. He served in I Corps, Vietnam Jun 1971 to Mar 1972 both as a supply clerk and as an infantryman. He has a BA Urban Planning from Western Washington University. He is now retired and is a Mountlake Terrace food bank volunteer.

Kevin Bridgeford

Kevin served with the Army and Army National Guard from 1984 through 2005 and retired as a Master Sergeant. He was trained as a Signal Support Specialist and Communications Chief. Kevin deployed to Iraq, LSA Anaconda, Mar 2004 to Mar 2005 with the 81st Armored Brigade of Seattle. He also served at Camp Casey, Korea. Awards include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M’ device. He works now as an Ultrasound Product Support Engineer. Hunting is a hobby and he is a Hunter ED instructor with WA Fish & Wildlife. Kevin and Carrie have 3 children and reside in Bothell, his hometown.

New Member, News, Newsletter Articles

Mike Schindler to be November Speaker

Navy veteran Mike Schindler, founder and CEO of Operation Military Family, will speak to us about his new book, U.S. Veterans in the Workforce: the 7 Percent are America’s Greatest Assets.

The book tells the stories of returning veterans so that we might gain a true understanding of life for them and their families.

And Our December Post Meeting Speaker: Col. (USA Ret.) William S. Reeder

Col Reeder is a legendary aviator who has made contributions to survival, evasion, resistance, escape (SERE) training and the attack helicopter community. His 30-year career included two combat tours in Vietnam flying armed OV-1 Mohawk reconnaissance airplanes and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.

Colonel Reeder has in excess of 3,000 flight hours, over 1,000 in combat, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Purple Hearts. He was named AAAA Army Aviator of the Year in 1977.

His book, Through the Valley is the captivating memoir of his experience as the last U.S. Army soldier taken prisoner during the Vietnam War. Signed copies of the book will be available.

VETERANS DAY SCHOOL APPEARANCES

As we have done in past years, we plan to participate in the Veterans Day observances of our local schools. So far we have around 15 schools requesting veterans to help them recognize Veterans Day this year. We expect 18 to 20 schools before it is over.

As of this writing, 21 of us have indicated a willingness to participate. There are many of you who have not had the chance to volunteer. Most of the requests are for Thursday, November 10, and many of the schools would like multiple vets to attend. If you would like to participate in this highly rewarding experience, please let past commander Jim Blossey know ASAP.