Veterans of Foreign Wars
VFW Post 1093
Ipswich, MA
History
Post 1093 was commissioned on 30 October, 1945, when 156 overseas veterans stood in the Memorial Building Hall and recited the members oath. By 1960 post membership exceeded 600.
Post 1093 originally occupied a small room in the Memorial Building as the "post quarters" but rapid membership growth brought growing pains and the post shortly moved to a store at the corner of Union and Market Streets. Just three short years later Post HQ moved again to the former Minerva Cafe on Topsfield Road and then in 1968 the quarters were relocated to their current location at 161 County Road.
The early years of Post 1093 are remembered fondly as fun times, and the conventions were always a highlight. "Old Timers" can still recount tales of the "Road Convoy" to New Bedford and the "Beach Assault" at Revere (despite hitting the shores on the wrong beach!!) Ipswich's own "army-Navy" football games were played between former Army & Navy veterans of Post 1093 for the benefit of a comrade in need.
For many years Post 1093 maintained a fully operational fire company that was employed by the town in fighting forest fires and relief work during the "Peabody floods." The fire engine also visited Time Square in New York City during the 1958 National Convention.
Beggining in 1961, for many years Post 1093 organized an annual Fourth of July program consisting of a parade and field day for the young children. As many as 2,000 children attended. Post 1093 also organized Christmaas parties for local youth and ran annual Jimmy Fund Clambake fundraisers. Regular blood drives routinely yielded over 200 quarts of much needed blood as well.
In 1998 Post 1093 entered into a creative and farsighted agreement with the YMCA of the Northshore. Post 1093 provided a substantial amount of land and much of the quarters facility for the YMCA to use as the basis for a new community facility. Now the location of countless programs, and even our local polling station, the VFW's commitment to community service is appreciated by every customer of the YMCA.
This strong tradition of community service continues today. Please visit our community page to learn more about Post 1093's involvement in the community today.
Post 1093 originally occupied a small room in the Memorial Building as the "post quarters" but rapid membership growth brought growing pains and the post shortly moved to a store at the corner of Union and Market Streets. Just three short years later Post HQ moved again to the former Minerva Cafe on Topsfield Road and then in 1968 the quarters were relocated to their current location at 161 County Road.
The early years of Post 1093 are remembered fondly as fun times, and the conventions were always a highlight. "Old Timers" can still recount tales of the "Road Convoy" to New Bedford and the "Beach Assault" at Revere (despite hitting the shores on the wrong beach!!) Ipswich's own "army-Navy" football games were played between former Army & Navy veterans of Post 1093 for the benefit of a comrade in need.
For many years Post 1093 maintained a fully operational fire company that was employed by the town in fighting forest fires and relief work during the "Peabody floods." The fire engine also visited Time Square in New York City during the 1958 National Convention.
Beggining in 1961, for many years Post 1093 organized an annual Fourth of July program consisting of a parade and field day for the young children. As many as 2,000 children attended. Post 1093 also organized Christmaas parties for local youth and ran annual Jimmy Fund Clambake fundraisers. Regular blood drives routinely yielded over 200 quarts of much needed blood as well.
In 1998 Post 1093 entered into a creative and farsighted agreement with the YMCA of the Northshore. Post 1093 provided a substantial amount of land and much of the quarters facility for the YMCA to use as the basis for a new community facility. Now the location of countless programs, and even our local polling station, the VFW's commitment to community service is appreciated by every customer of the YMCA.
This strong tradition of community service continues today. Please visit our community page to learn more about Post 1093's involvement in the community today.
