Two new Members were voted in:

• Charles Gaul, U.S. Army, RVN
• Kyle Dewey, U.S. Marine Corps

The Post voted 100% against the proposed National Resolution #606, which more than doubles the dues for continuous members.  We will ask that it be set aside for discussion and hopefully defeated at the State Convention as well.

This past month we awarded our 95th Eagle Scout certificate to Elias Nilsson of BSA Troop 312 in Edmonds.

We also nominated then presented the VFW National Life Saving award to Tony Vierra at a ceremony at the Seasons Apartments in Lynnwood.

Tom Leonard and John Beam were drawn for the $25 door prize, but they lost out because they weren’t at the meeting!

Bill Suchy won the sign in prize, and picked an envelope containing $15.

Reminder: our next meeting is Tuesday, July 2nd at 1900 due to the Fourth of July holiday.

The Post will be marching in the Edmonds Independence Day Parade again this year, so come on out and march or ride with us!  Remember to wear your VFW service cap!

Two great articles about the Memorial Day observance hosted by VFW Post 1040:

Glenn’s Trumpet Notes

Lynnwood Today

VFW Post 1040 is involved with providing Military Honors at Veteran’s funerals.

The Washington State National Guard is responsible for providing full military honors for all honorably discharged Veterans.  But due to funding and manpower constraints, the National Guard relies on the support of local VFW and American Legion Honor Guards. The Honor Guard pictured above consists of members of VFW Post 1040 and American Legion Post 234.

When required, the team will do the flag presentation, firing of the Volley, and Taps.  This presentation is done on the 1^st Tuesday of each month at the Washelli Cemetery and the 3^rd Tuesday at Acacia Cemetery in Seattle.

After the flag folding ceremony, volley and playing of Taps, the next of kin is presented the folded flag and as a final tribute, a small box containing three cartridges from the final volley.  Each presentation box also has the Veteran’s specific service emblem on the front of the box.

If you would like to join VFW Post 1040’s Honor Guard, please contact Honor Guard Captain Frank Martinez.

You can access your national VA benefits and your military records at ebenefits.va.gov

You can contact your local VFW Claims Representative at swilkin@vfw.org or 253-966-1279.

• AQUASOX: If you plan to attend the Aqua-Sox Baseball game on Saturday, August 17^th, please email Commander Spani before May 31st, and send $10 per ticket to:

VFW Post 1040
P.O. Box 45, Lynnwood WA 98046.

• DOOR PRIZES: Tom Spell and David Garcia’s names were drawn for the $25 door prizes.  However, they weren’t at the meeting, so they lost out on the money!

• POPPY DRIVE: May 25^th and 26^th at the James Village Albertsons.  Let us know if you’d like to volunteer!

• MEMORIAL DAY: May 27^th.  Student Veterans from Edmonds Community College will begin setting up at 0800.  Ceremony starts at 1100.

• REMINDER:
  • June’s meeting will be on TUESDAY, June 4th at 1900
  • July’s meeting will be on TUESDAY, July 2nd at 1900

Have a great month!

From left: VFW Post 1040 members Frank Martinez, Martin Spani and John Zambrano, Lynnwood Police Officer Ryan Hoirup and Police Chief Steve Jensen. The VFW recently presented Hoirup with the 2012 VFW Post 1040’s Officer of the Year Award.

Lynnwood Police Officer Ryan Hoirup has been chosen as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1040’s Officer of the Year for his consistent, outstanding work and personal sacrifice serving the community.

Officer Hoirup has been a Lynnwood Police Officer for five years and has established an exemplary work ethic and dedication to serving his community. He serves with distinction as a SWAT officer and Crime Scene Technician in addition to his regular duties as a patrol officer. 

On Aug. 26, 2012 Officer Hoirup was assisting fellow officers, who were attempting to make an arrest of a wanted felon in the City of Lynnwood.  The suspect attempted to flee from the officers on foot. Hoirup chased after the suspect in an attempt to apprehend him. Hoirup caught up to the suspect and a struggle ensued. Unbeknownst to Hoirup, they were at the edge of an 18-foot drop off from a parking lot embankment. Hoirup and the suspect fell off the embankment and landed on the ground below. Hoirup narrowly missed being impaled by a metal stake in the ground where he landed; however, he was seriously injured from the impact of the fall. He instinctively attempted to engage taking the suspect into custody, however, could not move due to his injuries. 

Other officers responded to assist and the suspect was successfully captured.  The fire department conducted a high angle rescue to remove Hoirup and transport him to Harborview Medical Center, where he remained for a substantial amount of time. Since this incident, Hoirup has always maintained a positive attitude and strong desire to recover from his injuries and return to full duty as a Lynnwood Police Officer. His recovery has proven to be the challenge of his life; however, his progress has been remarkable and he has returned to full duty in 2013.

The WWII Europe war map is now back in Veterans Park, looking better than ever.  Our thanks to VFW Post 1040 Life Member Dallas Ferrel for fabricating the new frame, and to VFW Post 1040 Life Member Jock Julian for installing it.

On Monday, May 27th, VFW Post 1040 will host a Memorial Day observance at Lynnwood Veterans Park at 11 a.m.

The program will be as follows:

• Bagpipe selections “Green Hills” and “Battles Ore” – Northwest Jr. Pipe Band
• Welcome – Lynnwood City Council President Loren Simmonds
• Flag Salute / Pledge of Allegiance – VFW Post 1040 Commander Martin Spani
• Invocation – Lynnwood Councilman and VFW Post 1040 Past Chaplain George Janecke
• Bagpipe selection “God Bless America” – VFW Post 1040 Piper Ray Colby
• Flag Ceremony “The meaning of a Veteran’s casket flag” – BSA Troop 49
• Song “Boots in Heaven” – Country Recording Artist Garret Lloyd King
• Laying of Wreaths
  • American Legion Post 37: Bill Endicott, U.S. Army WWII Veteran
  • VFW Post 1040: Art Clemente, U.S. Marine Corps WWII Veteran
• Song ” Where Does America Find Such Men” – Garret Lloyd King
• Bagpipe selection “Amazing Grace” – Northwest Jr. Pipe Band
• Rifle Salute – VFW Post 1040 Honor Guard
• Echo Taps
  • VFW Post 1040 Bugler – Glenn Ledbetter
  • Woodinville High School Sr. Bands Lead Trumpeter – Josiah Chupik
• Song “God Bless the USA” – Garret Lloyd King

Please take a few moments to tour, pause, reflect, and enjoy Veterans Park.

VFW Post 1040 gratefully acknowledges the Boy Scouts of America Lynnwood Troop 49 for their assistance in placing the flags throughout the park and distributing programs.