Derry / Salem VFW Post #1617

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

Post awards at convention. Past Commander Robert D. Hodgkins accepted awards for our recipient for Police Officer of the year, 2nd place Americanism and 3rd place Veterans & Family Services. Let's work harder this year to be up there with our awards winning Auxiliary. Congrats to all.

06/09/2026

That's what we do!

The flag at our front door was fraying, so we called the organization who donated it originally. VFW Post 1617 will honorably retire our old flag, and has given us a replacement. It's flying proudly!

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