Dedham VFW Post 2017

09/26/2026

Capturing the memories and experiences of our combat veterans is very important. If you, or a family member, are a combat veteran and would like to be interviewed, post a comment below.

The Gathering of WWII Heroes was organized by The War Remembered, an oral-history project that records and preserves aging veterans' memories. | Read More. ⬇️

09/11/2026

Senior Vice Commander Gene Hartigan shared his remembrance of September 11th with us:

That sunny morning I was scheduled to fly to Washington DC. I had been working as a campaign manager for a congressional campaign and had just wrapped up a press conference at the state house and headed home. Upon entering my house the phone rang and my wife told me to turn on the Television. My two daughters each called me in tears worried that I would fly to Washington. I called a friend of mine who worked on the Hill in DC and during the call, he said I have to go, they just hit the Pentagon.

I cancelled my flight and reassured my family I was going nowhere. As I watched in horror, I knew the world had changed and not for the better. That day both my daughters learned the value of our freedom and how precious life is.

As a great nation, we pay a heavy price for our defense of freedom and our willingness to go around the world to help others in time of need. Like so many others who served in war zones and thankfully came home in one piece, I appreciate what we have in our country.

We lost so many people on 9-11, police, fire, other emergency responders and citizens in general. We must never forget those and others who have given their all in defense of freedom.

09/11/2026

Post Commander Steve Ruggiero shared how the 9/11 attacks changed so the career paths of so many of us:

I was living in California on September 11, 2001, working in terminal operations at a port. I was awakened that morning by a phone call telling me that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. Like everyone else, I was trying to comprehend what was happening. As a Navy Reservist with Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 105 (MIUW 105), I quickly realized that this was going to change the mission of our military and my own life.

Our unit was placed on standby alert, and approximately one month later, we deployed to Egypt, where we spent the next year conducting anti-terrorism operations. Over the next 20 years, I deployed and served much more frequently as our nation responded to the attacks and the conflicts that followed. At the same time, the experience and knowledge I gained through my military service opened new doors in my civilian career. I went on to serve as an Assistant Director of Security for the Port of Long Beach, one of the largest ports in the nation, and as Director of Security overseeing West Coast operations.

Looking back, September 11 became a defining moment in both my military and civilian careers. It changed the direction of my military service, taking me around the world and placing me in situations I never expected when I first put on the uniform. It also put me in positions where I was responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and the people who worked there. I was proud to answer the call and serve alongside some incredible men and women. September 11 didn’t just change our country it changed my career, my responsibilities, and ultimately, my life.

09/11/2026

On this day that we will never forget, Dedham VFW asked a few members to share what happened to them and its impact.

Post Junior Vice Commander SFC Steven Armstrong writes:

On September 11, 2001, I was a sophomore student at Bridgewater State University while serving with the 772 Military Police Company, Massachusetts Army National Guard. I went to classes that day as usual, when a fellow student said that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center Towers. I figured it was just someone in a small private plane that got off course having issues. We went through class and I walked out into the lobby of the building I was in on campus when I saw the TV screen on the wall with the live coverage of New York City. I knew things were about to really change for me. The school canceled classes for the rest of the day, so I went home and found a message on the answering machine telling me that I needed to report to my armory in Taunton. I packed a bag of clothes and reported and we were advised that we were being activated for duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By the end of the week the 772 Military Police Company was assigned to Camp Edwards, the training site located in Bourne on Cape Cod. Our job was to man the entry control points and only allow necessary personnel on who needed to work there. I was assigned to conduct gate duty and patrols on base and between the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges on the Cape Cod Canal. I was on Camp Edwards for about three weeks, then in the beginning of October, our mission changed. We were replaced on Camp Edwards, and we were asked to volunteer to continue supporting Operation Noble Eagle, which included working airport security at our major airports in Massachusetts. I was stationed with 5 other Soldiers out on Nantucket Island at the regional airport. We worked the security checkpoint for flights going to Boston and New York City for over 6 months.

In the late spring of 2002, the 772 MP Company were given orders to deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. We were sent to Ft. Drum New York for training in preparation for our deployment to Afghanistan. We arrived in Afghanistan the beginning of August, and we were stationed at three locations, Bagram Air Base, and two locations in Kabul. I was stationed at a Forward Operating Base where the Afghan National Army had set up their basic training site. Our mission was a force protection mission which included main entry control point duty, quick reaction force, and presence patrols around the Kabul area. We supported the 1st Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group and the 5th Battalion 19th Special Forces Group while they conducted their training mission for the Afghan National Army. The 772 MP Company were in Afghanistan for 8 months before returning in March 2003.

Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Massachusetts National Guard — The Nation's First

09/10/2026

As September 11 returns tomorrow, we at the Dedham VFW ask everyone to take a moment to pause, reflect, and remember. Remember those whose lives were taken, the families who still carry their loss, the first responders who ran toward danger, the survivors, and the service members and veterans whose lives were forever changed in the years that followed.

September 11 affected us all. Tomorrow, let us honor every life changed—and never forget.

—Dedham VFW Post 2017

VFW marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by honoring two members lost at the Pentagon and remembering the patriotism that united America.

08/21/2026

Great information for your veterans! Please pass along.

06/12/2026

A huge thankful appreciation to all of the women who were called to serve in our armed forces. We're stronger because of you! Massachusetts Women Veterans Town of Dedham, MA

Today is is National Women Veterans Recognition Day.

As explained by the VA, this is not a Veterans Day just for women, but a celebration of the signing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, which was significant in that is allowed women the right to permanently and fully serve in the regular armed forces (and to be recognized as veterans after doing so).

Prior to the signing of this act, military women (save for nurses) were sent home after each conflict. Many were not treated as veterans who served their nation, but like civilians. They were often denied the rights and benefits afforded to men who'd served beside them, simply because of their gender. The act "deemed women essential to war efforts and allowed them to serve in the regular armed forces full time," (Missina Schallus, VA news).

Women have served in conflicts and wars throughout America's history, including the Civil War and the Revolutionary War, in positions as nurses and support staff (and even as spies!).

The VA notes, "Currently, Women Veterans Recognition Day is a state-recognized commemoration. This year, the states of Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah... and Wisconsin will recognize" it, as will the Virgin Islands.

With that in mind, today and every day we salute women veterans, regardless of when, where, how or how long they served, or whether they reside in a state that recognizes the holiday. Thank you all.

06/04/2026

Another big match coming to on June 12th! Get your tickets!

📇 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Northeast Championship Wrestling returns to the Jacob Jones VFW Post for NCW DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' live in Dedham, MA on Friday June 12th!

🎫 Online tickets are on sale now at theNCW.com/tickets! Early Bird 🐦 General Admission is only $12 with VIP on sale for $20 including reserved 'pick your own' seating, an NCW trading card, and a food voucher good towards a Walking Taco 🌮 or two slices of pizza 🍕🍕!

NCW Don't Stop Believin'
📆 Friday June 12th
📍 84 Eastern Avenue Dedham, MA
🕥 7pm Doors - 7:30pm Bell Time
🎟 theNCW.com/tickets

06/02/2026

For all of us who have friends or family members who served in , please take a look at the new memorial being built in Port Charlotte, FL. https://www.beirutpeacekeepers.org/
United Nations Peacekeeping

05/17/2026

A great event for some camaraderie!

We have room for more players! Come support the VFW and help kick off the co****le league! Come join us and bring your friends and family!

We’re excited to officially launch our Needham VFW Co****le League—a fun, social, and slightly competitive way to bring everyone together this summer.

League Details:
📅 Wednesdays, June 3 – July 1
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

What’s Included:
- 4 weeks of team play
- Final week tournament with cash prize for the winners
- Official league T-shirt
- Weekly ticket for hotdog, chips & drink

Cost:
$70 for Veterans
$80 for Community Participants

Whether you’re joining for the competition or just a great time with the community, this league is designed to be easy, fun, and something to look forward to each week.

Sign up here!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/co****le--2026