VFW POST 969 - AUXILIARY 969 - RIDERS CHAPTER 3

THE 969 DISPATCH

OCTOBER 2026 | KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING | TACOMA, WA

Inside this month: the Commander's letter, Riders news, Breakfast for Dinner, Seahawks game days, Trunk or Treat, free claims help - and a word search at the bottom. Happy October!

DOWNLOAD THE PRINTED EDITION (PDF)

From the Commander's Desk

A Busy September, a Stronger 969

Hello, 969 Post and Auxiliary family!

What a September! On the 5th, our Chapter 3 VFW Riders rolled out to the Yelm Post's Car & Bike Show at Wilkowski Park in Rainier. On the 11th, I rode with the VFW Riders for the Department of Washington in the annual "Never Forget" Peace Arch Ride to Blaine. It marked 25 years since one of the most tragic days in our nation's history, and it was an honor to share that day of remembrance once again.

This month we also said goodbye to two of our own: a retired Army officer and an Auxiliary member. Please keep their families and loved ones in your prayers.

Last month we held our first joint Post and Auxiliary meeting, and I'm looking forward to many more. Talking together is how we build a stronger 969. Every meeting date is in the calendar below - come be part of it.

To everyone from the Post and Auxiliary who stepped up this month: thank you. We couldn't do any of it without you.

See you at the Post,
Jerry Busig
Commander, Post 969

A Word from the Auxiliary

Thank You - and Breakfast for Dinner!

A heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who gave their time this past month. You set up, served, cleaned up and simply showed up - and it makes all the difference. You are the reason Auxiliary 969 shines.

Now mark your calendar: our first Auxiliary Breakfast for Dinner is Friday, Oct. 9 at 5 pm, and it's back every second Friday. Bring your appetite and a friend!

- Bob Bartell, Auxiliary President

Riders Corner - Chapter 3

Chinook Pass, Oyster Run & a New Rider

Welcome to October! September took us on a fun run to Whistling Jacks in Cliffdell (no names, Red and Tom, but some of us had never been over Chinook Pass!) and up to Anacortes for the Oyster Run. Please give our newest rider, Chris Maki, a proper 969 welcome.

October is packed - Turkey Run, Bike Night, Toy Run (bring toys; no bikes or big toys), Harvest Moon Party and more. See the calendar below. Got a vintage car? Show it off at the Trunk or Treat Oct. 31. And Nov. 7 in Auburn, we're defending our Best VSO parade title!

Proud to be part of the family. - Robert "Dutch" Anderson, Riders President

Your Week at 969

Something Going On Every Night We're Open

TUESDAY

Taco Tuesday

5 pm. Also meeting night for the Post, Riders & Auxiliary.

WEDNESDAY

Queen of Hearts

Post members only. 6 pm, drawing 7:15.

THURSDAY

Bingo Night

6 pm - lots of prizes!

FRIDAY

Dinner, Raffle & Karaoke

Dinner 5 pm. Raffle 6 pm (meat, booze, 50/50, Aux baskets). Karaoke 7 pm.

Post hours: Tue-Thu 4-8 pm - Fri-Sat 4-10 pm - Sun & Mon closed (except special events).

Game Day at 969

Seahawks Games: The Post Is Open!

Bring food to share, and win free tickets throughout the game just for showing up and cheering on our Seattle team.

Sun Oct 4 - Chargers, 1:25 pm

Sun Oct 11 - 49ers, 1:25 pm

Thu Oct 15 - at Denver, 5:15 pm

Sun Oct 25 - Chiefs, 5:20 pm

October Calendar

Every Date in One Place

All events at Post 969, 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, unless noted. Canteen closed Sat, Sun & Mon except special events.

Thu Oct 1 - 6 pm Bingo

Fri Oct 2 - 5 pm Dinner, 6 pm Raffle, 7 pm Karaoke

Sat Oct 3 - 10:30 am BASH Turkey Run - kickstands up at SoSo Cycles (Riders)

Sun Oct 4 - 1:25 pm Seahawks vs. Chargers - Post open, bring a dish

Tue Oct 6 - 5 pm Taco Tuesday; 5 pm Bike Night - last one of the year! (Riders)

Wed Oct 7 - 6 pm Queen of Hearts; Tacoma ABATE social 6 pm, meeting 7 pm

Thu Oct 8 - 6 pm Bingo; Rec Park Committee

Fri Oct 9 - 5 pm Auxiliary Breakfast for Dinner, 6 pm Raffle, 7 pm Karaoke

Sat Oct 10 - 11 am Military Hospital Toy Run at Eagle Leather - bring toy donations, no bikes or big toys (Riders)

Sun Oct 11 - 1:25 pm Seahawks vs. 49ers

Tue Oct 13 - U.S. Navy Birthday; 5 pm Taco Tuesday; House Committee; 6 pm VFW Riders meeting, 2nd Floor Hall

Wed Oct 14 - 6 pm Queen of Hearts

Thu Oct 15 - 5:15 pm Seahawks at Denver; 6 pm Bingo

Fri Oct 16 - Navy Birthday celebration at dinner - 5 pm Dinner, 6 pm Raffle, 7 pm Karaoke

Sat Oct 17 - 6 pm Harvest Moon Party at the Post

Tue Oct 20 - 5 pm Taco Tuesday; Post & Auxiliary meetings (Aux 5:30 pm)

Wed Oct 21 - 6 pm Queen of Hearts

Thu Oct 22 - 6 pm Bingo

Fri Oct 23 - 5 pm Dinner, 6 pm Raffle, 7 pm Karaoke

Sat Oct 24 - Spaghetti Feed for Retsil Wreaths Across America - VFW Riders Ch. 2 (address TBA); Warrior Brotherhood Trunk or Treat (address TBA)

Sun Oct 25 - 5:20 pm Seahawks vs. Chiefs

Tue Oct 27 - 5 pm Taco Tuesday; House Committee

Wed Oct 28 - 6 pm Queen of Hearts

Thu Oct 29 - 6 pm Bingo

Fri Oct 30 - 5 pm Riders cook dinner, 6 pm Raffle, 7 pm Karaoke

Sat Oct 31 - 2-4 pm Auxiliary Trunk or Treat at the Post - costumes and vintage cars welcome; Buddy Poppy; essays due

National & off-site (8 am): Jr Vice Training Oct 1-4, Kansas City, MO (tentative) - NVS Accredited Rep Trainings Oct 4-9, Annapolis, MD - Big Ten Conference Oct 15-18, Kalamazoo, MI - Southern Conference Oct 22-25, Mobile, AL

Veterans & Family Support

Filing a VA Claim? Don't Pay Anyone. Ever.

VFW's National Veterans Service (NVS) helps veterans file VA disability and separation claims for free. Not a discount - free. The accredited reps on our calendar this month are training in Annapolis, Oct. 4-9, so they can fight for you, not bill you.

Leaving the service from JBLM? VFW's National Pre-Discharge Claims Rep, Jason Scott, meets service members 90-180 days before discharge in Waller Hall, Room 700 (office 253-966-1279).

The Auxiliary backs it up with Adopt-a-Unit (Military Assistance Program), Student Veterans Support Grants, VFW Foundation grants and the VFW Mental Wellness Group.

Give: checks to VFW Processing Center, PO Box 2002, Milford, NH 03055-2002 (not the Dept. Treasurer). Questions: Rose Green, 360-908-2987.

OCTOBER IS AGENT ORANGE AWARENESS MONTH

Denied Before? Look Again.

The 2022 PACT Act added high blood pressure and MGUS to the VA's Agent Orange list and added new locations: bases in Thailand, Laos, parts of Cambodia, Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Atoll. Survivors may qualify too. VFW's NVS will file it for you - free.

You Are Not Alone

Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, then press 1 - Text 838255 - 24/7

Women Veterans Call Center
Call or text 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636)

Chaplain's Corner

Wingmen Don't Fly Solo

No pilot takes off until a crew chief has walked the aircraft and checked every panel. September was Suicide Prevention Month, and the Department's pin said it best: Standing Together. That doesn't end on October 1.

This month, think of one member you haven't seen at Friday dinner lately. Call them. Save them a seat. Sit a while. Scripture puts it plainly: "Two are better than one ... if either of them falls down, one can help the other up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

- Mama (Shirley Hauser), Chaplain, Post 969

Member Perks

Your Membership Is Worth More Than You Think

VFW Auxiliary Discount Marketplace: save on rental cars, hotels, theme parks, restaurants, tickets and more. Go to vfwauxiliary.benefithub.com, enter your name and email, and use referral code HDDLQA. Help: 1-866-664-4621.

$100 once, yours for life: become a Life Member of the VFW National Home (Eaton Rapids, Mich.), where veterans' families get back on their feet. vfwnationalhome.org/membership or 866-483-9642.

Join or renew the Auxiliary: dues are $40/year, or become a Life Member with a one-time payment based on age. Questions: adj@vfw969.org or auxiliary969wa@gmail.com.

Know a student? Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen essays are due Oct. 31. Scholarships on the line!

Coming in November

Mark Your Calendar

Nov 6 - Veterans Day cards due

Nov 7 - Auburn Veterans Day Parade - come support your Post and your Riders! Then the Riders cook a FREE Veterans dinner at the Post, 5 pm ($15 donation for non-veterans). Look for sign-up sheets at the Post.

Just for Fun

October Word Search

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SEAHAWKS - BINGO - TACOS - RAFFLE - KARAOKE - NAVY - POPPY - RIDERS - HARVEST - TRUNK OR TREAT - VETERANS - BREAKFAST - TOY RUN - AUXILIARY - PUMPKIN

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VFW Eric G. Sandstrom Post 969 - 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404
253-272-1405 - vfw969.org - Facebook