Post 227 Legion hears from Boys State reps and presents Life Changer award

The meeting started with a chicken dinner. 

Text and photos by Jerry Pickard

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, Post 227 honored the recipient of its Life Changer award and the boys who were selected to attend Boys State. 

Vice Commander Ray Coffey called the meeting to order. The first order of business was The Post 227's "Life Changer" Award.

Leah Setala, 2017 Life Changer

This years recipient was Mrs. Leah Setala. The presentation was made by Selection Committee Chair Christina Frappier. Christina read the citation. as follows:

Leah Setala is the winner of the 2017 American Legion, Post 227 Life Changer Award. As a music and band teacher at St. Luke School in Shoreline Leah goes the extra mile to help children learn to play and enjoy music. 

When families find that band instruments are beyond their means, Leah helps them acquire used instruments. Those families love hearing their children play music but know none of it would have been possible without Leah.

In their spare time, Leah and her husband acquire furniture and other household items at rummage sales and yard sales. They recondition items needing repair. Then they donate them to the needy at St. Francis House in downtown Seattle.

By helping children to play and enjoy music and by helping the needy, Leah Setala has made a positive difference in the lives of others. It is a pleasure to present her with the 2017 American Legion Life Changer award. Congratulations! Leah was also presented with dinners at the Space Needle.

Following The Life Changer Award the Post 227 sponsored Boys State attendees Jack Siefer and Riley Smith addressed the Post. Jack and Riley are both Seniors at Shorecrest High this year.

At Boy's State, a weeklong experience, the boys learn about the operations of government at local, county and state levels. They hold elections and participate in debates, passage of laws, study the court systems and all things that government controls.

Jack was elected Mayor of a local government and learned how laws are passed. They filed mock lawsuits against each other and held court positions. They learned how the legal system operates from local to state level.

Post 227 also sponsored Neil Broadwick of West Seattle High to Boy's State. Neil was unable to attend the Post meeting but sent a letter relating his experiences at Boy's State. The letter was read to the audience by Commander Coffey.

After the Boy's State presentation 2nd Vice Commander Larry Fischer recognized guests and new members and thanked them for attending the meeting. Commander Coffey closed the meeting at 8:45pm.

Upcoming speakers at Post 227 are as follows:

• October Chaplain Roy Harrington - Veterans programs he is involved with.
• November Michael Valiente - Vietnam war Vet speaking of many firebases he helped set up.
• December Bob Harmon - WWll vet speaking on European war duty with General Patton. (See the movie "The Monuments Men" before this presentation.)
• January - Michael Reagan - Vietnam Marine vet who does The Fallen Heroes portraits. He was featured on KING5 TV before the September 15th Edmonds POW/MIA event.

The public is invited to attend these presentations starting at 6:30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at Legion Hall in Shoreline, 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.