Derry / Salem VFW Post #1617

05/29/2026

05/15/2026

https://www.carrierfuneralhome.com/obituary/charles-andriolo

Charles Anthony Andriolo, 77, of Derry, NH, passed away on May 13, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Son of the late Helen T. Polizzi Andriolo and the late Anthony Tony Andriolo, Charlie attended Woburn public schools. After school hours, was a very busy teenager, working in

05/13/2026

Saturday, June 6th from 2-6pm “Tea for the Troops” is being held in Londonderry down the street from the Town Common at the Parmenter Barn/Morrison House. The fundraiser benefit hosted by post member Matt Kennedy and his wife for wounded veterans. All proceeds go to the Home Base Program based in Boston that is doing cutting edge care for veterans from around the country and new research into new treatments for the “Invisible Wounds of War”, PTSD and TBI. The work being done is also working to help reduce veteran suicides. We have been supporting this program with the Tea for the Troops for 17 years. Visit https://www.teaforthetroops.org/

08/07/2025

On Purple Heart Day, August 7th, VFW Post 1617 and the American Legion Post 9 honor all recipients of the Purple Heart including the 54 known recipients buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery who received the award. On this day, the nation commemorates the creation of the oldest American military decoration for military merit. The Purple Heart honors the men and women who are of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. During the American Revolutionary War, the Badge for Military Merit decorated six known soldiers.

General George Washington created the Badge of Merit in 1782. Washington intended the honor to be presented to soldiers for "any singularly meritorious action." Its design included a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk bound with a thin edge of silver. Across the face, the word Merit was embroidered in silver. While the badge symbolized the courage and devotion of an American Patriot, no one knows who designed the award.

Until Washington's 200th birthday, the Purple Heart persisted as a Revolutionary War footnote. Through the efforts of General Douglas MacArthur, the U.S. War Department created the Order of the Purple Heart. Today the medal bears a bust of George Washington and his coat of arms.

While an accurate and complete list of names no longer exists, National Geographic recently estimated that nearly 1.9 million service members have earned Purple Hearts since its creation. It is the oldest U.S. military honor still bestowed upon service members today. Until 1944, the Purple Heart recognized service members' commendable actions as well. Then in 1944, the requirements were modified to limit the award to only those wounded or killed in combat. For more information on the Purple Heart visit https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart .

07/25/2025

Commander's scratch

07/24/2025

Hello,

Next week is our 10th annual motorcycle poker run. Let's make it a good one!
I am in need of gift cards, baskets or items to be donated for raffle. Please help us by signing up to donate an item or even cash we will put a basket together for you!

Please email [email protected], text me 603-505-1466 or sign up in the canteen.

Items/baskets should be delivered by Friday evening 8/1 or by 10AM Saturday morning for setup.

Thank you all in advance and if you have not registered, please do so and join us on Saturday!

Sarah Vaira
Junior Vice President, Auxiliary