Tag Archive: Veterans

Post Members Visit School

Author: October 1, 2014

Mrs. Sue Idso, a 5th grade teacher from Mukilteo Elementary, asked if some of our veterans would speak to her classes (yes—like high school she has 5 periods of classes). Fred Apgar, Jim Blossey (see “Commanders Column”) and I volunteered.   The following day Sue passed along comments that her students made after our presentations so I’ve included some of them here:

 

The sacrifices our veterans make are a great act of kindness.

I’m impressed by how a stranger would sacrifice his life for me.

I feel like I know a lot more about the military.

There are so many lives lost in a war.It’s so sad.

I’m a Boy Scout and now I want to be a Scout even more.

I understand how much veterans care about America.

There’s always a price for freedom.

We have the best system of government in the world. I feel appreciative of that.

I’m very proud of Mr. Apgar.

I have learned to respect the WWII veterans.

I’m so grateful that so many people serve.

Now I know more about how a soldier feels.

Mr. Traner’s stories make me feel safe.

I can understand more about what my grandpa went through.

Veterans keep the Constitution alive.

I’m inspired to join the Army.

If we didn’t have veterans, we wouldn’t have freedom.

The military is more serious than I thought.

Soldiers put their lives on the line for our Constitution.

I learned how hard it was to make the sacrifices to go to war and to accept it.

It’s really special to know someone who fought for our country.

 

As Veterans Day approaches, we will have a number of opportunities to speak to classes and entire assemblies. We will be passing a signup sheet for volunteers at the next meeting so have some fun and speak to a class.

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Commanders Column By Jim Blossey

Author: September 8, 2014

Think back. Why did you join VFW?

Next question—Why did you stay in VFW?

Very often the answer to both questions is the same. For many of us it is best summed up by our organization’s slogan, “No One Does More For Veterans.” Sure, we enjoy the camaraderie and are proud to wear our covers and be identified with this great group, but it is our overriding purpose that drives most of us.

Just who are these veterans that we do more for? Often they are simply nameless faces in unknown places. But as individuals they are one with us and we feel moved to help them through whatever difficulties they may be facing.

Here in Edmonds Post 8870 we have an opportunity to help another important group—one that is not nameless and faceless—in fact these veterans are very well known to us: our own members. Let me explain.

As you undoubtedly know by now, we have voted overwhelmingly to move our monthly meeting location to the American Legion Hall. Our brothers in the Legion have welcomed us and show every sign of being ideal hosts. In return we have a very simple obligation: to leave the premises as neat and clean as we found them. To make sure this happens, 8870 is forming a House Committee.

This will be a group that will have only two main responsibilities: To set up the room for our meeting and to restore it to its original condition when we are through; and to decide what to have for lunch or refreshments and to arrange for people to prepare it.

It is a once-a-month job, but a crucial one. Some of us are well-experienced in such matters. Others are simply eager to find an ongoing way to serve. So far, without even trying, we have three members who have stepped forward. We need four to six more at a minimum.

 

How about it, could you help out? It is an easy job, which you will share with other comrades, and it will take at most a couple of hours a month. It is your chance to live our motto of Doing More for Veterans, OUR veterans.

 

Contact me at [email protected] or at 425 670-2686. Thanks.

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