Tag Archive: Christmas Party

Raffles to be Held for VFW & AL Posts

Raffles are to be conducted again this year, this time for both VFW Post 8870 and AL Post 66 to benefit the operating funds of both posts. The AL drawing will be held on July 4 at a celebration for Post 66 centennial year. 8870 will again hold the drawing at the Christmas party on December 14.

We are Planning more promotion vial local media & social media as well as tighter follow-up of ticket distribution. Mike Reagan has once again generously offered his drawings this time of Gary Senise (widely known for his support of veterans) and country music star Toby Keith, who passed away recently.

Stay tuned for further scheduling & ticket information.

VFW/Legion Christmas Party 2022

Our annual holiday get together was held on Saturday, December 17, at the Edmonds American Legion Hall. Around 50 members and guests were in attendance, a bit lighter turn-out than our normal pre-COVID affairs, but a large enough group to make it a lively party. 

The Posts provided some of the food and members brought a variety of side dishes and desserts, as well as supplementing the turkey and ham provided by the posts. The food was delicious (at least in your editor’s mind) and there was certainly plenty of it.

Commanders Kurfess and Walderman opened the proceeding and then presented Mike Reagan with the two post’s annual contribution to his Fallen Heroes Project. Mike has now done in excess of 8,000 portraits of fallen comrades and continues every day. 

Our usual raffle was held with a variety of prizes, including copies of Mike Reagan’s work and some particularly nice beverages. Background music was provided by a live performer with keyboard and accordion. 

The annual toy drive was topped off at the party and those toys, added to those collected earlier at Teri’s Toy Box in downtown Edmonds, were delivered the the Edmonds Food Bank toy drive for what appeared to be a record result. Well done Comrades! 

October Meeting Report

Speaker

October Meeting Report
Fred, seated with Nancy, displays the Legion of Merit

At the October Post meeting our speaker was Betsy Braun, Fred Diedrich’s daughter, who gave us a report on the presentation of the French Legion of Merit to Fred, arising out of his combat jumps into Europe during WWII, which were covered in detail in the October newsletter. Fred’s “War Bride” Nancy also spoke briefly but eloquently on their meeting in England (Nancy, of course being an English girl) and Fred’s service from her point of view. We are honored to have veterans like Fred as our Post Comrades. 

October Meeting Report Speaker
Betsy Braun reading her speech

The business portion of the meeting focused on Veterans Day and Christmas Party planning. If you have yet to make a commitment to supply something to the Christmas Party on Saturday December 14, do so at the November meeting, or by email to the Commander. The party will begin at Noon, with dinner served around 1:00 PM.

Commander Gilliland announced the Post membership goals for the current Department wide drive, for which Post 8870 will need to recruit 10% of our current membership in new members during the current VFW year, as well as and or convert 10% to Life Membership. 

Christmas Party Brings Cheer to Us and Gifts to Kids in Need

If you missed this year’s function, too bad. It meant more food for the 72 who did attend. This year’s dinner was held at the American Legion Hall which was dressed up festively for the function thanks to Terry Traner, Jay Able, and Karin Pederson. Paul Bustard brought the turkeys and Jim Traner brought a ham (Fred Apgar who usually donates the ham was sightseeing in Vietnam), while everyone else brought desserts, salads, mashed potatoes, gravy and all the fixings. At the end of the meal, I think only the bones were left. We had some special invitees this year which was nice to see, The Purple Heart Association and the DAV. While we planned on 50 attendees, 72 just made it that much better. In addition, we had our annual raffle and raised $620 thanks to the staff officers all contributing a basket (or two or three). Chris Edwards did a great job as MC. As in past years there was a cost of attending. Everyone was asked to bring an unwrapped toy and food for the food bank. Following the function, Dennis and Karin Pederson, and Jim and Terry Traner took the toys to the Holly House who were set-ting up for a one day give away at the Meadowdale Middle School. Pam, Holly House’s director, thanked VFW and American Legion for our donations. Without seeing that operation, it is hard to describe the scope of it, but words don’t do it justice. There will be a number of underprivileged kids who are very grateful for our efforts on Christmas