Tag Archive: voice of democracy

November Post Meeting

Author: January 23, 2024

Kyle Gaul

Our speaker for November was Kyle Gaul, the son of Post member Charlie Gaul. Kyle has played bagpipes, since he was a young boy and continues to perform at events around the area.

We also featured our Voice of Democracy winners at this meeting.

Voice of Democracy winners

First place award went to Josephine Chia, (left in the photo left) with the essay of Aaliyah Wright (at right) in second place.

Both young women presented their essay to the assembled members. The Voice of Democracy contest includes the verbal performance of the essay in addition to the written piece.

As the winner of our Post VOD contest, Chia was entered in the District contest and won second place in District 1. She is shown at below receiving that award at the January District Meeting and with Commander Duane Bowman and Post Essay chair Don Stapleton below right.

Voice of Democracy winners
Voice of Democracy winners

Minutes of the Post Business Meeting
Meeting Start @1800 hours

  • Post member Don Stapleton introduced the winners of the Voice of Democracy competition, Joshpine Chia, First place and Aaliyah Wrightin second.
  • Each student read their entry.
  • Both essays will be forwarded onto District 1.

Business Meeting started @1830 hours

  • The Quartermasters report was reviewed and approved by the membership.
  • The following expenditures were approved:
    – Motion to approve $1.00 payment to Michael Reagan for the Seahawks drawing. Moved by Don Stapleton and second by Rich Bologna.
    – In other financial matters, the membership voted to approve payments to reimburse Carl Kurfess for Post meal costs, a donation to support the new formerly Incarcerated Veterans support program anther to Northwest Veterans Museum. All approved by unanimous vote of the members present.
  • A motion was made and approved to create an additional scholarship in Jim Traner’ s name based upon the additional donation from Jim’s former company Traner Smith.
  • Discussed the upcoming December Christmas Party and reviewed the status of the Seahawks raffle drawing.
  • Reviewed the upcoming Mid-winter VFW conference in Wenatchee.
  • Discussed the recognition of Police/Fire/EMT and Teacher of the Year.
  • Discussed a grant application to Safeway for gift cards to distribute to veterans. (That application has been submitted)
  • Reviewed a proposal from American Legion Post 66 regarding monetary payment from VFW.
  • Quartermaster Joe Gray discussed updating the Post email system.
  • There will be no Post meeting in December due to the Christmas Party on December 16, 2023. Next Post meeting will be on January 17, 2024.

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January Post Meeting 

Author: March 10, 2023

ost winner of Patriots Pen, Voice of Democracy
ost winner of Patriots Pen, Voice of Democracy

Before our business meeting began, awards ceremonies were held for our Post winner of Patriots Pen, Voice of Democracy and Teacher of the year. Shown below with Don Stapleton, are Voice of Democracy winner Maverick Cradduck at left and 5th grade essay winner Cataleya Moore who were present and read their essays to the assembled membership. Two other younger winners, Harper Seal and Fletcher Seal were not able to be present, but we hope to have them at a future meeting. 

Our Teacher of the Year Olivia Peterson

Our Teacher of the Year is Olivia Peterson of Serene Lake Elementary in the Mukilteo School District. Peterson teaches 5th grade at Serene Lake and is aid to incorporate a variety of activities to creatively engage kids in the curriculum. 

For Veterans Day, Peterson had students write essays to acknowledge and honor the day and the people who served. Peterson is shown at left being introduced by Don Stapleton. 

We inducted two new members into the Post at the January meeting. Shown below as they take the oath are, at left, Darryl Roberts a Navy Veteran of Vietnam and on the right, Katherine Lindsey, an Army nurse, also serving in Vietnam. Please help us to welcome these new comrades to our ranks. 

Darryl Roberts a Navy Veteran of Vietnam and Katherine Lindsey, an Army nurse
Past Commander Rose Gilliland, in recognition of her ongoing service to the Post

Commander Carl Kurfess presented a plaque to Past Commander Rose Gilliland, in recognition of her ongoing service to the Post, both during and since her command period. Well done, Rose! 

Past Commander Fred Apgar, present via our Zoom hook-up, expressed thanks for our support in replacing the fence surrounding the Captain John Herbert Dent, USN Family burial plot at the Old Bethel Presbyterian Church in Jacksonboro, South Carolina. 

Fred has done an exhaustive tour of historical places in the east since leaving our area a few years ago and found this burial place of an honored veteran in very poor condition. Fred reports that he was successful, 

Captain John Herbert Dent, USN

Dent was an officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War, (with France) the First Barbary War, and the War of 1812. He was acting captain on the USS Constitution during the attacks on Tripoli in 1804. 

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VFW District 1 Youth/Teacher Awards 

Author: January 20, 2023

On Jan 7 we held the District 1 2022-2023 Youth Essay and Teacher of the Year Awards. We would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners at the District level and wish them luck at the Department level in the coming weeks! 

VFW District 1 Youth/Teacher Awards

Voice of Democracy – Steven Locke
Patriots Pen – Brendan Stinson
Youth Essays – Eloise Liao 

We would also like to recognize this year’s Teachers of the year!
High school – Heather Hunsberger submitted by Arlington post 1561
Middle School – Michelle Bannon submitted by Sultan post 2554
Elementary school – Kevin Mandoske submitted by Monroe post 7511 

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VFW Youth Essay Contests Underway 

Author: August 27, 2022

The following article is being published in our local media to promote our annual Youth Essay Contests. If you have family members or friends who qualify in these age groups, please encourage them to apply. 

Every year, Edmonds Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8870 sponsors a group of student essay contests, along with the rest of the VFW throughout the nation. Applications are made available through the local schools but students may also enter directly by filling out the application and submitting their entry to VFW Post 8870 prior to Oct. 31. Home schooled students are welcome to participate. The Oct. 31 deadline may seem a long way off, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about these competitions, which are also scholarship opportunities: 

Voice of Democracy – audio essay competition for high school students. 

Patriot’s Pen – essay contest for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. 

Youth Essay – contest is open to elementary students in grades 3-5. 

VFW sponsors these contests to promote patriotism and help students further their education by awarding more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives, to regional, state and national winners. 

This year’s theme for the Patriot’s Pen written essay contest is “My Pledge to Our Veterans,” and the theme for the Voice of Democracy audio essay competition is “Why is the Veteran Important?” The younger essayists are asked to write on “Why are Veterans So Important to Us?” 

Contest rules and entry forms can be found via the following link to the VFW Department of Washington web site: https://vfwwa.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=79734. 

Entries may be submitted to Edmonds VFW Post 8870, PO Box 701, Edmonds, WA 98020 

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2018 Youth Essay Winners and Runners Up

Author: February 13, 2018

2018 Youth Essay Winners and Runners Up

Winners and their families pose with Commander Mike Denton following the award ceremony. The winners are displaying certificates.

At its January 17 meeting, Edmonds VFW Post 8870 recognized students who were 2017 winners of VFW’s three annual essay contests.

The theme for this year’s elementary school contest was “What Does a Veteran Mean to Me?” The contest was open to all public, private, and home-schooled elementary school students in the Edmonds and Mukilteo school districts in grades 3, 4, and 5. Winners advanced to district competition, culminating at the state level. 

There was no 3rd grade winner this year and the 4th and 5th grade contests were a clean sweep for Brier Elementary School. This year’s winning essay for 4th grade was submitted by Sara Ambachew and the runner-up was Brianna Reyes. At the 5th grade level the winner was Cole Harris and the runner-up was Nikolas Lopez.

For middle school students in the two districts, the contest is called Patriot’s Pen and it culminates at the national level. It is open to all middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8 and the theme for this year’s contest was “America’s Gift to My Generation.” The winning entry was submitted by Mohuwa Wahid, a student at Explorer Middle School.

Edmonds-Woodway senior Olivia Olson once again took 1st place honors in both the local and district Voice of Democracy contest. While two contests for younger students requires a written essay, the Voice of Democracy is an oral competition requiring the submission of an audio recording. This year’s topic was “American History: Our Hope for the Future.” (See accompanying story on Olivia.) Lara Wahid of Kamiak High School was runner-up.

All winners received framed certificates and cash prizes of $100 for first place and $50 for the runners-up.

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Olivia Olson – First Place Once Again

Author: February 13, 2018

Olivia Olson - First Place Once Again

Reagan presents portrait to Olivia

Olivia Olson had just delivered her moving Voice of Democracy speech—she had won first place for an unprecedented fifth consecutive time and—although she didn’t know it—renowned Edmonds artist Michael Reagan was about to present her with the surprise of a lifetime.

Reagan is known for his remarkably lifelike pencil drawings of what he calls Fallen Heroes. His drawings have numbered in the thousands, though seldom has he done such a portrait for a living person. For him to do so, the individual would have to be exceptional indeed.

Those who have heard Olivia Olson speak know that she is not only exceptional, but mature and talented well beyond her 17 years. This year’s essay, entitled American History: Our Hope for the Future, was, in the opinion of the contest judges, her best yet.

When she completed her speech—all completely memorized and without notes—the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Then Michael Reagan unexpectedly came forward bearing a large discreetly wrapped package.

The usually unperturbable Olivia was clearly bewildered at what was happening. Reagan showed copies of several military young women, now dead, whose portraits he had drawn, and said how consistently moved he was at Olivia’s grasp of the meaning of patriotism and sacrifices such as these. He then unveiled a stunning portrait of Olivia and presented it to her as his personal tribute.

She looked over her left shoulder at her mother with an expression that wordlessly said Mom, what is happening? Then, fighting back tears but with a smile on her face she accepted the large framed picture. She stared at it for a moment, handed it to her mom and embraced Reagan for what seemed like a full minute. There was not a dry eye in the place, including the eyes of Michael Reagan.

 

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Post Recognized With Awards

Author: August 7, 2017

District 1 Commander Don Wischman visited our July meeting to present the post with award certificates for accomplishments during the 2016-17year.

The Post earned awards at both District and National levels for:

Post Recognized With Awards

100% Reporting of Community Service
100% Hospital Reporting
Youth Essay Post Participation
Participation in the Scouting Program of VFW Outstanding support of USO, Veterans & Military Support Programs

Sponsorship and Promotion of local community activities.
The Citizen Education Teacher of the year Program

Patriots Pen
Voice of Democracy.

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Post Recognizes Local Winners of National VFW Essay Contests

Author: February 10, 2017

At the January Post meeting, we recognized several local students as winners in the annual National VFW Essay contest. One of those honored, Edmonds-Woodway High School student Olivia Olsen, won first place for the third year in a row.

 

Youth Essay ContestYouth Essay Contest

The theme for this year’s Youth Essay contest for grades 4 and 5 was “Why Are Men and Women Who Serve in the Military Special?” Winners were Finley Gonzales, a 4th grade student at Endeavour Elementary School and Margaret Moon, a 5th grade student at Mukilteo Elementary School. Runners up at this grade level who also attend Mukilteo Elementary School were Joel Brannon, Abbey Summerville, and Audrey Stewart. Two 5th graders, Trevor Coble and Ethan Jacobsen, who attend Brier Elementary School, were also selected as runners-up. Margaret was presented with a $100 scholarship from the Post, and each runner up received a $25 scholarship.

 

NL0217_Patriots_PenPatriot’s Pen Contest 

This contest is open for Middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8, and the theme this year was “The America I Believe In.” The winning entry was submitted by Mohuwa Wahid, of Explorer Middle School. Mohuwa follows her sister, Lara, previously a two-time winner in this competition. She received a $100 scholarship. Sara Hatab of Olympic View Middle School was named runner-up. She received a $25 scholarship.

 

NL0217_Voice_of_DemocracyVoice of Democracy 

Edmonds-Woodway 11th grader Olivia Olsen garnered 1st place honors and a $100 scholarship in the Voice of Democracy contest. This essay contest is open to high school students in grades 9-12. While the Youth Essay and Patriot’s Pen competition requires a written essay, the Voice of Democracy competition requires the submission of an audio essay. This year’s topic was “My Responsibility to America.” Lara Wahid, a 9th grade student at Kamiak High School was awarded runner-up honors.

 

Each of the students who won their respective contests, read their essays to the nearly 80 parents, family members, and VFW members who were in attendance at the Jan. 10 meeting.

The post’s student essay competition is coordinated by Fred Apgar who also serves as post chaplain. The winning entries have been forwarded to Washington State VFW for consideration at the district and state levels.

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VFW Student Essay Contest

Author: October 10, 2016

By Fred M. Apgar

Details regarding the VFW Annual Student Essay Contest have been distributed to all schools in the Edmonds and Mukilteo School District. Students attending private schools or being home-schooled are eligible to enter the contest. The Youth Essay Program is for students in Grades 3, 4, and 5, and an essay, not to exceed 250 words, should address the topic ”Why are men and women who serve in the military special?”.

Students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 are eligible to enter the Patriot’s Pen program in which a 300-400 word written essay is written on the topic, “The America I Believe In”.

“Voice of Democracy” is the third program, and it is an audio essay contest for students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. To enter, a student must prepare a 3 to 5 minute recording that addresses the topic, “My Responsibility to America”. 

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three essay winners in each of the categories, and winning entries in each contest will be forwarded to the District level for further consideration.

Detailed instructions as well as an entry form, that must accompany each submission, can be obtained by visiting the Post’s web site at www.vfw8870.org. Go to the Community Support tab and click on Student Essay Program. You will be able to download the information for your grade level. All contest entries, along with the completed entry form must be submitted to VFW Post # 8870 no later than November 1, 2016. Youth Essay and Patriot Pen entries may be submitted on-line to [email protected] or they can be mailed to VFW Post #8870, PO Box 701, Edmonds, WA 98020. Voice of Democracy entries must be mailed to the Post.

 

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What Ever Happened To?

Author: July 7, 2016

Katarina NguyenKatarina Nguyen is a talented young lady who was a three-time winner of the Patriot Pen contest while in Middle School, and won first-place honors in the Voice of Democracy for all four years of high school. She read her winning essays at Post meetings as well as the Memorial Day Ceremony. During her senior year, Katarina was awarded a Freedom Scholarship. She recently wrote to the Post to express her appreciation for what her involvement in VFW sponsored programs has meant to her.  

 

NL0716_Freedom-Scholarships_2

 

Dear VFW 8870, My name is Katarina Nguyen, a graduate from Edmonds Woodway High School in 2012. Throughout high school, I was highly involved with the VFW because I felt it was important for the younger generation to honor the Veterans that have made our freedoms possible. I would like to reach out and thank each and every one of you for your sacrifices to preserve our country’s freedom and thank you for encouraging me and allowing me to share your stories. It’s been a few years but I would like to reach out and thank you for helping shape my experiences during high school. It was an honor to speak at Memorial Day ceremonies each year as well as read my essays at your meetings. Because of you, our generation is able to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities we share and as a proud American, I sincerely thank you for all you have done.

Since graduating high school, I graduated college from Johns Hopkins University in 3 years and am currently Miss Washington Earth United States. I will compete for the national title of Miss Earth United States this summer and will attend medical school this fall. I was inspired to give back to the community by all of your sacrifices; although I cannot even begin to fathom the adversities you have endured for us, you have inspired me and motivated me to give back. You are selfless, brave heroes and to this day, when anyone asks me who my heroes are, I never hesitate to say that it is those that serve our country. Thank you.

Best regards,

Katarina Nguyen

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Local Students Recognized in Patriot’s Pen & Voice of Democracy Competition

Author: January 4, 2016

Commander Blossey Congratulates Student Winners

Commander Blossey Congratulates Student Winners

At the December 8, 2015 meeting we recognized area students who participated in the AnnualVFW Essay contest. The Post’s student essay competition is coordinated by Fred Apgar.

The theme for this year’s Youth Essay contest was “Why Is America My Favorite Country?” The winning essay for 5th grade was submitted by Chloe Lee of Mukilteo Elementary. Runners Up were Mohuwa Wahid, Ellie Choi, and Sabrina Windland, also from Mukilteo Elementary. Benjamin Hoang, of Terrace Park Elementary was also a runner-up. Chloe was presented with a $100 scholarship from the Post, and each Runner Up received a $25 scholarship.

Voice of Democracy Winner

Voice of Democracy Winner

For the second consecutive year, Olivia Olsen garnered first place honors and a $100 scholarship in the Voice of Democracy contest. This essay contest is open to high school students in grades 9-12. While the Youth Essay and Patriot’s Pen competition requires a written essay, the Voice of Democracy competition requires the submission of an audio essay. This year’s topic was, “My Vision for America”. Olivia is a 10th grade student at Edmonds-Woodway High School. Accompanying the Mukilteo Elementary School students were their teachers, Ms. Aina Green and Ms. Sue Idso. Supporting the students from Terrace Park School was their teacher, Ms. Lori Kutrich.

Prior to the presentation of awards and the reading of the winning entries, Olivia Olson led the Post members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. The winning entries have been forwarded to Washington State VFW for consideration at the district and state levels.

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