VFW Post 1093

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Ipswich, MA
VFW Post 1093

We help veterans, their families and the community on the North Shore. R. Kelly
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OUR VISION: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country. OUR CORE VALUES:

Always put the interests of our members first
Treat donors as partners in our cause
Promote patriotism
Honor military service
Ensure the care of veterans and their fa

milies
Serve our communities
Promote a positive image of the VFW
Respect the diversity of veteran opinions

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Post Service Officer - William R. Kelly
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (978) 853-7013

"My goal is to help my fellow veterans, their families and survivors with accessing their Federal, state and local benefits. I have specific experience with the Service Connected Disability Process, the Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefit program, and the VA Home Loan Benefit program. Through the Northshore Veterans Collaborative and local Massachusetts State Veterans Service Officers (one for every MA town), I can also help connect you with other area resources as needed." - W.

07/26/2026

In partnership with our neighbor, the Ipswich YMCA, our VFW Post 1093 has installed a new PATRON PARKING ONLY sign to keep the narrow entrance roadway clear for responding emergency vehicles [ Fire Trucks-Ambulances-Police Vehicles ], Tractor Trailer Delivery trucks and Waste Hauler vehicles. We thank our veteran members, patrons and members of the Ipswich YMCA for their cooperation.

07/15/2026

On Monday, July 13th Jim Graffum, Commander, American Legion Post 80 and I, Commander, VFW Post 1093 presented an Certificate of Appreciation to the Ipswich Select Board for their continued support to Ipswich Veterans initiatives. Select Board Members: Sarah Player, Michael Dougherty, Linda Alexson and Charlie Surpitski. Great support for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Parade, the upgrades to Veterans Memorial Park and Walkway of Heroes and the current Documentary Project on Ipswich at War: 1776 to 2026. My Service Dog, Koz joined the photograph.

07/13/2026

American Flags at Veterans Memorial Park, Ipswich, MA are at half staff in honor of Senator Lindsey Graham who recently passed.

07/11/2026

Please join us on Friday, August 7th at Veterans Memorial Park for our National Purple Heart Day Ceremony starting at noon. We will honor Ipswich residents who were awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during combat in service to our great nation.

06/17/2026

Yesterday evening VFW Post 1093 conducted our annual Dignified Flag Retirement Ceremony and I want to thank the members of our Post 1093 for participating. We follow the following protocol:

DIGNIFIED FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 1093 IPSWICH, MA.
STEP 1 — OPENING REMARKS "Today we gather to retire this American flag with dignity and respect. This flag has served as a symbol of our nation and the freedoms it represents. As it has become worn and is no longer a fitting emblem for display, we honor it through this retirement ceremony."
STEP 2 — THE FLAG'S MEANING "The stars represent the fifty states united as one nation. The thirteen stripes represent the original colonies that founded the United States. The colors remind us of the values this nation was built upon: red for courage and sacrifice, white for purity, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice." STEP 3 — FOLDING THE FLAG Two participants fold the flag into the traditional triangular fold used in military and civic ceremonies, keeping it off the ground throughout. The folded flag is then presented to the ceremony leader. STEP 4 — PLACEMENT INTO THE FIRE The ceremony leader places the folded flag gently onto the fire. "As this flag is committed to the fire, we remember the sacrifices made for the freedoms it represents. May the spirit of this flag continue to inspire respect for our nation and its ideals." Participants stand respectfully while the flag burns to completion.
STEP 5 — MOMENT OF SILENCE Once the flag is placed, a brief moment of silence is observed. Common closings include the Pledge of Allegiance, the playing of "Taps," or a reading honoring veterans and service members. STEP 6 — CLOSING REMARKS "Though this flag has reached the end of its service, the ideals it represents continue to live on. May we always remember the sacrifices made for our freedoms and treat our nation's symbol with respect and honor."

06/07/2026

Veterans Memorial Park Walkway of Heroes Update

To maintain common sense management control for all new etched brick applications submitted to VFW Post 1093 from today’s date, June 7, 2026 forward to September 1, 2026 they will be sent to our vendor in New Jersey on September 1, 2026 for production.

Your application fee checks of [ $100.00 ] will be deposited on the date we receive your application.

These new etched bricks will be installed after Spring of 2027 (as weather conditions permit and hopefully before Memorial Day 2027).

This process will allow our project to move forward in a controlled and productive manner.

Etched brick applications received at the VFW Post 1093 after September 1, 2026 will be submitted to our vendor on December 1, 2026 with an anticipated installation date in October, 2027. This allows time for review of templates by us and then production of etched bricks by our vendor.

Applications for new 4” x 8” etched bricks are available at VFW Post 1093, AMVETS Post 201 and PLAV Post 90.

Thank you.

Larry Jordan, Commander, VFW Post 1093
Ted Lemieux, Past Commander VFW Post 1093
Jim Graffum, Commander Post 80

05/16/2026

Update on the Ipswich, MA Veterans Memorial Park, Walkway of Heroes. We have 130 - 4" x 8" etched bricks and 5 - 12" x 12" etched pavers that will be on display during our upcoming Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25th. All will be carefully installed in the Walkway of Heroes at a later date this year determined by our mason contractor and veterans. When they are installed we will certainly let everyone know.

We continue to accept applications. New requests will be submitted to our vendor in New Jersey for etching and then coordinated once again with our mason contractor for installation in the Walkway of Heroes. Please be patient and understanding as we continue to move this respectful and honorable project forward.

We hope you join us on Monday, May 25th at 11:00 am for our Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.

04/06/2026

Friends in Massachusetts, S2499 "An Act relative to establishing a plaque to commemorate the service members from Massachusetts who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Heroic Service during the Global War on Terror" ..................has stalled, and is currently stuck with the MA Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
An individual in the Senate Ways and Means informed me that Massachusetts residents who call their number and lend their voice in support of the Bill, will help with its being seen through. If you reside in Massachusetts, please consider calling and lending your voice in support: MA Senate Ways and Means Line: 617-722-1481.

Please support this effort.

03/23/2026

The Veterans Memorial Park and Walkway of Heroes Project Committee are announcing a new and exciting project to preserve the history of our communities’ veterans. With all the interest, respect and honor presented by the citizens of Ipswich and surrounding communities shown during the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Parade and the Dedication of the Veterans Memorial Park and Walkway of Heroes we will be producing an educational series specifically focused on honoring the Veterans whose names are etched in stone within the Walkway of Heroes.
The project will include a documentary video providing a historical path traveled by Ipswich residents from the American Revolution to present day. In addition, we will have individual presentations for each section of the Walkway of Heroes, identifying veterans named and relative information about their service and contributions by the residents of Ipswich.
Our project member Caleb Owen brings his expertise in the making of documentary videos. Our talented fellow veteran and Ipswich resident, Tom Palance will direct our music selection and coordination. There are several other Ipswich residents who have stepped forward to help with research and project work to include:
Linda Alexson, Chris Bevilacqua, Laurie Cameron, Pam and Denise Gaspar, Jim Graffum, Gordon Harris, Cindy Jordan, Gavin Keenan, Ted and Susan Lemieux, Paul Montanus, Steve Pelletrino, Donna Riccardi, Charlie and Laurie Surpitski, Denise & Jordan Townsend.
We extend an invitation to Ipswich veterans / residents to provide information about their own military service, their family members military service or civilian contributions in keeping America safe [ IE: Proximity Fuse Project or Robinson’s Boat Yard Project ]. If you would like to have your information included in our educational programs, please submit the following to: VFW POST 1093 110 COUNTY ROAD P.O. BOX 281 IPSWICH, MA 01938
1. NAME 2. BRANCH OF SERVICE 3. RANK 4. WAR SERVED IN OR TIME PERIOD 5. BRIEF STORY TO INCLUDE MILITARY GROUP SERVED WITH [ EX. 101ST AIRBORNE ]. 6. MILITARY AWARDS, MEDALS, RIBBONS RECEIVED 7. PHOTOGRAPH [ WILL BE RETURNED ]. Please submit your information by June 1, 2026.
This project is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts General Court and Secretary of State William F. Galvin for Veterans’ Heritage Grant Program.
Best Regards,
Larry Jordan, Commander Ted Lemieux, Past Commander Jim Graffum, Commander VFW Post 1093 VFW Post 1093 American Legion Post 80

12/24/2025

Ted Lemieux, Jim Graffum and I want to share the video documentary we just received from PAVERART ENTERPRISES regarding the Veterans Memorial Park and Walkway Dedication Ceremony. The video is on YOUTUBE and here is the link
https://youtu.be/Fv7_RXQfd6w

We hope you all enjoy this documentary and understand the work and time required to bring all of this together. So we send our sincere thank you's to everyone who stepped forward along the journey to help bring the Veterans Memorial Park and Walkway to completion.

Please share with your friends and let us know your comments.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2026.

Address

110 County Road (w/Ipswich Family YMCA)
Ipswich, MA
01938

Telephone

(978) 356-4730

Website

http://myvfw.org/ma/post1093/

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