Immediate Past Commander Carl Kurfess was honored with a plaque in recognition for his service as Post Commander for the last 2 years. At below, Kurfess receives the plaque from Commander Duane Bowman.
At the Department of Washington Convention in Spokane, Post 8870 was recognized as an All-State Post for 2022/2023. Hence the white hat you see on Carl’s head.
Great job by the officers and all members! 8870 has been an All State Post for most of the years your editor has been a member. The awarded commander wears it for the entire post to recognize the team effort and the Quartermaster for his/her individual performance.
Also at the convention, the Post newsletter that is written, assembled & distributed by Mike Denton was recognized at the State Convention as the best News Letter from a “Small Post.”
By the time of World War II, American servicemen were consuming 32.5 pounds of coffee per capita, per year, with the Army Quartermaster Corps going so far as to roast, grind, vacuum pack and ship its own beans overseas. Meanwhile, legend has it that when soldiers in Italy encountered espresso, they watered it down to make a concoction similar to the coffee they drank at home. There are many competing accounts, but some people surmise that these were the humble beginnings of the drink we now know as an “Americano.”
In Vietnam, soldiers and Marines would burn C4 explosive to make their coffee in the jungle. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army and Air Force Exchange System (AAFES) had Green Beans coffee stands so servicemen and women could get their espresso and Frappuccino fix.
Mules have irksome and painful qualities, so those that ran the mule-trains of the mid-19th century American army would shave off the tail of any new mule as a warning to others that its behavior might be unpredictable. It was not long before the troops were using the term for any newcomer. By the time of the Spanish-American war of 1898, “Shavetail” had become specific to describe a newly commissioned lieutenant.
Works cited: Donald, G., Wiest, A., & Shepherd, W. (2013). Sticklers, Sideburns and Bikinis: The military origins of everyday words and phrases. Bloomsbury Publishing.
“Today, war is a high-tech affair. The modern soldier
relies on advanced weapons and communications technology as
his essential support. But in World War II, soldiers relied on
an entirely different kind of support–a kind of support soldiers have
used since ancient times. Animals. Dogs, horses, and pigeons became World
War II soldiers’ best friends in battle, serving to carry weapons, wounded
men, and messages through artillery fire. In War Animals, bestselling
author Robin Hutton brings the animal heroes of World War II to vivid life
with the heroic true tales of: Famed pigeon G.I. Joe, who saved
an Italian village and British troops by flying 20 miles in
20 minutes to carry a message to Allied forces; Chips, a
German Shepherd trained as a sentry who attacked an Italian
machine gun team, sustaining powder burns and saving his handler’s
life; Bing, a paradog who jumped out of a plane on D-Day, landed in a
tree, and once on the ground helped his handlers locate the enemy. A
heartwarming and sometimes even hilarious history of bonafide heroes of
feather and fur, War Animals is a World War II story you’ve never read
before.”– Provided by publisher.
I found this book quite interesting, especially the War Dog
part. The US Army used dogs as sentry, scout dogs, sled and pack, mine
detection, and messenger dogs. The US Coast Guard used them mainly for
sentry duties, and the US Marines used them as scout dogs. Pigeons were used as
message carriers, horses and mules were used it the Italian theater,
carrying supplies up hills and mountains that vehicles could not
traverse.
The book also covers the British use of animals, especially
rescue dogs who located trapped civilians in bombed out buildings from
German bombing attacks. This book introduced me to the British People’s
Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Dicken Medal which was awarded to some of
these outstanding animals.
At the April Post meeting, Steve Pennington,and Chris Szarek, at right in this photo, representing Edmonds Community College’s veterans affairs program, presented Past Commander Terry Crabtree and Senior Vice Commander Carl Kurfess with letter of appreciation, recognizing Crabtree and Kurfess’ service to veteran students at the college. Junior Vice Commander Rose Gilliand looks on.
Now and then, we try to will feature photos of our family members who have served in the past. Please feel free to provide photos and info to your editor.
This month, we have a picture of Senior Vice Commander Carl Kurfess’ father and uncle.
Carl’s father, Francis Kurfess is on the left, pictured as S1C, US Navy, Sea Bees. He served with the 97th Naval Construction Battalion in England, Ireland, and France during World War II. At right is Carl’s uncle, Lt. Verle Austin a WWII Navy pilot.
Carl has been volunteering at the Edmonds Comunity College Veterans Affairs office for some time, but has recently been appointed to a staff position with the office as Veteran Liasion Officer. Our congratulations to Carl on the new position.
Several VFW members, including three of our own, will be featured participants in Edmonds Community College’s Veterans Day Celebration this year. The event will be held on Tuesday, November 10, at 10:30 AM in the college’s Black Box Theater.
Among those speaking at the event will be our Commander, Jim Blossey, and Ron Clyborne, the chair of the community’s Veterans Plaza committee. Post 8870 member Carl Kurfess will lead the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Honor Guard from Lynnwood VFW Post 1040 will present the colors.
The celebration is for the entire community, not just students, and veterans are especially invited to attend. The college has particularly encouraged VFW members to be there. Please wear your cover.
The Black Box Theater is located near the south side of the campus; parking is available. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion.
Now and then, we try to will feature photos of our family members who have served in the past. Please feel free to provide photos and info to your editor.
