News

As Ballard Eagleson Post 3063 Service Officer I am here to educate and inform veterans and their family members about their benefits, assist them in requesting military records, and submitting applications for benefits such as for disability, compensation and burial benefits. I can also provide a resource or referral for additional needs.

  Since I am not an accredited service officer I cannot sign off on the forms as a veteran service organization representative or submit the claim. I can, however, help you request military records, and obtain and complete the correct forms for submission to the VA.

  Claims are submitted by accredited Veteran Service Officers located on the 10th floor of the Jackson Federal building at 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle. Any of the VSOs at the VFW, DAV, VVA and American Legion can submit a claim to the VA. The benefit of working with an accredited VSO is that they can review your claim to make sure it is well documented and that you have a fully developed claim. This ensures that your packet is not returned for errors such as a missing or incomplete form or missing documents. They can also track your claim once it is submitted to the VA.

  An important part of submitting a claim, especially for a service connected disability claim, is having all the required documentation prior to meeting with the accredited VSO. Do you have a copy of your discharge paper (DD 214 or equivalent) and your military medical records that may document a service connected injury? Do you have civilian medical records from your physician or other civilian medical professionals that further supports a service connected injury or illness? Military discharge papers, personnel and medical records can be requested online by going to the VA website (http://www.va.gov) and completing an SF 180. Your branch of service and when you served will determine where you send the request.

  If you do not have your discharge papers do not procrastinate in getting a copy because it provides proof of eligibility for veteran benefits. Your spouse, family members or Power of Attorney should also know where you keep this important document.

  Contact me at serviceofficer@vfwseattle.org if you have any questions or to set up an appointment to meet with you.

The post has resumed one-hour yoga classes on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Classes are free to veterans and their families. Please wear loose clothing and bring your yoga mat and a blanket to cushion your knees, if desired.

Alicia Brill is our new instructor and is a veteran of the United States Army, having enlisted as an Intelligence Analyst for the Army Reserves and the Montana Army National Guard. Alicia first began practicing yoga on a deployment with the Army. While the military taught her discipline, yoga provided her with a sense of discipline plus honoring one’s self exactly where you are.

Since getting out of the military in 2007, Alicia has admired the sense of camaraderie she felt in the military and has sought ways to be of continued service to other military veterans. Alicia became a certified yoga teacher with 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in April 2017 and completed Level One training with Veterans Yoga Project in January 2017. Her concentration has been on Yoga for Trauma Healing and Yoga for PTSD.

Friday, May 26

Buddy Poppy Distribution

QFC at 9999 Holman Rd NW, Seattle 98117

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Email Gail Engler at serviceofficer@vfwseattle.org for more information.

Sunday, May 28th

Seattle VA Medical Center visit

Time TBD

Email Harold Rodenberger at quartermaster@vfwseattle.org for more information.

By Nestor Tamayao

I bet many of you are thinking what I am – “It’s May already!”  The post will be busy this month with installation of newly elected officers, the Social and Memorial Day activities.  For me, May also marks the fact that my tenure as your commander is coming to a close next month.

While many equate May to the Memorial Day holiday, for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, there is a day that has significance as it was the VFW that had it recognized.  That day is May 1st, Loyalty Day.  The day provides an opportunity for all American citizens to reaffirm their loyalty.  Patriotic rallies, parades, public meetings, school programs and other activities are some examples that show citizens’ patriotism and loyalty to our government.

Loyalty Day’s roots are not recent.  The idea to hold patriotic rallies started in 1930 to offset the Communist rallies that were held on May Day.  The VFW’s involvement began with the adoption of a resolution at the VFW National Convention in 1949 to make May 1 as Loyalty Day.  In 1954, the resolution was introduced in Congress and approved in 1955.  It was officially recognized with the adoption of Public Law 529 in 1958.

Memorial Day gives the opportunity to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  It was known first as Decoration Day as the day graves of fallen Civil War soldiers were decorated.  The name Memorial Day came into use in 1882.  The name was declared by federal law in 1967.  Some confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day.  While Memorial Day remembers those who died while serving, Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the armed services.

The month of May provides citizens the opportunities to participate in activities that reflect continuing loyalty to America and honoring those who gave their lives to maintain our cherished freedoms.   If you are not able to attend an organized activity on Memorial Day, you can pause for a moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. on that day to honor those who have died in service to the nation, as The National Moment of Remembrance Act of 2000 encourages.

Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063’s May 2017 newsletter is available for download here. Highlights of May’s issue include: Post Elects 2017-2018 Officers; Post and Sea Cadet Corps Recognize Jessica Chacko’s Service; Museum of Flight Profile of New Member, Bob Drew; and Members Away From Home Profile of Georgia Warrix.