News

Prior to the installation ceremony at our May meeting, the Post conducted its annual recognition of members for their long years of membership in VFW. Robert Crosby has been a member of VFW for 50 years, and Joe Kuchiniski joined VFW 35 years ago. Those whose membership has spanned 30 years are Wilson Burrill, William Garber, Billy Johnson, Jack Mowat, and Thomas Schulstad, and Rick Kane (posthumously). Jim Collins received a pin for his 15 years of service, and Les Abel and Fred Diedrich each received 10 year pins.

Our room at the Senior Center doesn’t allow it due to space constraints, but for those of you who attend District meetings or those of other Posts, know that there is a specific seating of officers. The Commander, Adjutant, and Quartermaster are at the head table while the rest of the officers are seated between the head table and Post members. The Senior Vice is at a Station directly in front of the Commander, the Junior Vice is at Commander’s left with the Officer of the Day adjacent to the Jr. Vice. The Chaplain is to the left of the Commander. Now why that order came about, I have no idea. However, the next time you visit Post 9417 in Gold Bar, 7511 in Monroe, or 2100 in Everett, you’ll know why everyone is located where they are.

Commander: Jim Blossey
Senior Vice: Chris Edwards
Junior Vice: Terry Crabtree
Quartermaster: Dennis Peterson
Chaplain: Fred Apgar
3rd Year Trustee: Dan White

Appointed—
Adjutant: Dick Simmons
Judge Advocate: Don Stapleton
Surgeon: Al Boyett
Sargent at Arms: John Shelton
Officer of the Day: Jim Collins
Service Officer: Don Whedon

Following the Military Funeral Honors Ceremony that was conducted on March 25, 2014, VFW Post # 8870 presented a new American flag to the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery and Columbarium. Commander Fred Apgar presented the flag to Cemetery Board member Melissa Johnson and Sexton Cliff Edwards, after which they were joined by Junior Vice-Commander, Jim Blossey in raising the new flag.

The Edmonds Memorial Cemetery and Columbarium has played a leadership role in the Edmonds community to honor the memory of deceased veterans and to honor all of those who have served their country as a member of the Armed Forces. Each Memorial Day, the Cemetery is the site of a very moving Memorial Day Ceremony, and each month, the Cemetery is the site of a Military Funeral Honors Ceremony that confers honors on those deceased veterans who did not receive such recognition at the time of their death. The ceremony is conducted by Sgts. Glenn Jones and Oleg Chudak of the Washington State National Guard. Glenn and Oleg are both members of VFW Post #8870. The Military Funeral Honors Ceremony is conducted on the last Tuesday of each month at 10:45 AM.

The old adage that 10% do 90% of work is very true when it comes to handing out Buddy Poppies. If you would like to join the 10% and help out with our annual fund raiser, send an email to me at [email protected] and I’ll make sure someone contacts you. We just gave away funds to assist veterans and their families who were affected by the Oso slide. These funds came from our Buddy Poppy donations.

Memorial Day at the cemetery is simply showing up and honoring our dead. This year the veterans from D Day are being recognized. Our own Fred Dietrich will be the guest of honor. Fred parachuted into Normandy and participated in many operations during WWII.

Eagle Scout candidate, Art Winton, attended our April meeting to present an overview of his very ambitious Eagle Scout project. Art plans to construct a Korean War Memorial to honor our nation’s veterans who served in Korea. The memorial will be erected in Veterans Memorial Park in Lynnwood, which is a park that was built by VFW Post # 1040. Our Post donated $500 to assist in the construction of the Korean War Memorial.

Thanks to the skiers who travel to their favorite ski resort by means of the Spalding Express bus service, the Post received a significant donation. Dorothy Harkness, the wife of our comrade Jim Harkness, and several of her friends have organized and coordinated the Spalding Express for many years. During winter months, the Spalding Express provides transportation to and from ski slopes. Whatever profits that are earned during a season are donated to a worthwhile organization. This year, VFW Post #8870 was designated as the recipient of any funds that were raised.

At last month’s meeting, Dorothy and the other organizers of the service presented Commander Fred Apgar with a check in the amount of $2340. At the request of the Spalding Express organizers, the funds will be used, exclusively, to fund the four Freedom Scholarships the Post awards to four deserving high school seniors.

Thanks to the efforts of Post member John Rogalski, members of the Post were given a VIP tour of the vintage aircraft in the Historic Flight collection. Eleven members of the Post visited the Paine Field facility on April 16 for a two hour tour of the facility. All of the aircraft in the collection were produced between 1927 and 1957; all have been restored and fly, once again. Among the aircraft in the collection are a B-25 named Grumpy, a P-51 Mustang called Impatient Virgin, an F-8-F Bearcat named Wampus Cat, and an F-7-F Tigercat that answers to the name Bad Kitty.

During prayers conducted by the Chaplain, the Chaplain, not the Commander, determines whether to re-move covers or remain covered. Most Chaplains prefer to uncover, but there are some who remain covered. The Post just needs to follow their lead. And just a small side item, when uncovered for a prayer, the cover is held over the heart with the Cross of Malta showing.

Speaking of covers, when attending any VFW meeting, only VFW covers are permitted. If you forgot yours, being uncovered is fine. What isn’t allowed are baseball hats, sombreros, cowboy hats, or any other head-gear, not even Seahawks caps.