VFW POST 9617 ASSISTING VETERANS ON THANKSGIVING

Commander James Santangelo of VFW Post 9617 Stamford delivered Thanksgiving baskets to needy veterans. One of the many tasks Stamford VFW Post 9617 do every day to help veterans in need.

Veterans Day Commemoration Day at Stamford CT High School

Stamford Veterans representing VFW Post 9617, American Legion, Catholic War Veterans and Jewish War Veterans attended the annual Veterans Day Commemoration at Stamford High School, on November 10, 2015.  

Hundreds of students filled the auditorium to participate in a program directed by Doug J. Maclehose, History Department Head, which featured renditions by the school band and choir.





A Veteran from each organization spoke to  students about their service to country and urged them to learn and study to become good citizens. Prior to the general school meeting the veterans visited classrooms and met with individual students and answered excellent  questions  from the well informed students.

VFW Post 9617 Stamford CT marched in the Veterans Day Parade November 8, 2015

A large contingent representing one of Connecticut's best known VFW Posts 9617 marched and were greeted enthusiastically on Sunday November 8, 2015.

Pictured (Left) is  Fred Drenickhahn, long time member of VFW Post 9617  with Barbara Cartsounis , daughter of late George Cartsounis. a World War II Navy Veteran.

Left to right, Fred Drenickhahn, Frank DeMasi, General (ret) Robert Cody and Korean War Combat veteran James Lyles, Members of the VFW Post 9617.











Marco Pensiero, and Frank DeMasi getting ready to march.












Colonel Mark McGrath, Operation Iraqi Freedom, James L. Dudley, Christopher Munger and Korean War Combat Veteran Paul Lee.

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED

On October 15, 2015  at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home in Stamford,CT the VFW Post 9617  honored the lives of Stamford and Greenwich Veterans whose cremated remains have remained unclaimed.







After a very emotional  service and tribute  at the funeral home the VFW veterans escorted the remains to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT where they were interred with full military honors.



The entourage was escorted to middletown by CT State Police and local law enforcement Departments from towns along the route.

Junior Vice Commander of VFW post 9617 Archie Elam, said  it was "one of the most impressive ceremonies he has ever attended."

VFW Post 9617 Members Featured In News 12 CT Memorial Day Parade story

Thousands of people made their way to Stamford on Sunday to watch the city's annual Memorial Day Parade

Click to View Video

Three Westhill High School  students were honored on May 20, 2015 by VFW Post 9617.  Nick Fiore, third from the left, Commander of Helping Heroes, a group young volunteers from Westhill were cited for their dedication  to helping  the VFW Post.  Their latest project was cleaning and storing over 1000 American Flags which are placed on graves of Stamford veterans. Joining Mr. Fiore are, left to right, Commander James R. Santangelo of VFW Post 9617, Francesca McDonald. Mr. Fiore, holding the plaque  and Daniel Getman.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D CT) visits Fort Belvor at the request VFW Post 9617 member Thomas Finn

United States Senator Richard Blumenthal (D CT) recently visited Fort Belvor at the request VFW Post 9617 member Thomas Finn.  Finn, just returned from another tour in Afghanistan.  Finn invitation paid off and Senator Blumenthal had the opportunity to address wounded veterans and visit with members of the Vietnam Veterans Association.   Mr. Finn is on the far right next to Senator Blumenthal.

Senator Blumenthal, left, and Thomas Finn chat prior to the meeting with the veterans.

              ***** Review "Scheduled EVENTS" for the Month of MAY *****

                              (Also, see Posted Article for May 2, 2015 below)

MAY EVENTS DETAILS (May 16th., 20th. and 21st.)

(See "Scheduled EVENTS" for Summary of ALL Events)

________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, May 16, 2015 (8:00 am)

ARMED FORCES DAY FLAG PLANTING

St John’s Cemetery
25 Camp Ave
Darien CT 06820

Woodland Cemetery
66 Woodland Place
Stamford CT 06902

VFW Springdale Post 9617 invites you to join us on
Saturday, May 16th at 8AM for our Armed Forces
Day Flag Planting! (We will retrieve them the
Saturday following July 4th)

We will assemble at Woodland Cemetery in
Stamford and St John’s Cemetery in Darien.

Backyard Humanitarians will join VFW Post 9617
on Armed Forces Day to help with planting flags
on the graves of Stamford veterans who have died
in remembrance of their service.

For more info or to register, contact
Archie Elam, VFW 9617 at
archie_elam@msn.com

or at 203-554-1010.

You can also register at the BH Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/723027657780316/

_______________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (6:00 PM)

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS DINNER
Belltown Fire House
Dorlen Rd.

Post 9617 Members will have to pay $5.00 for gratuities, Guests will cost $20.00 for Dinner and $ 5.00 for gratuities. You must R.S.V.P. by May 16, 2015 for all Members and Guests. You may pay at the door. Members who find it difficult to walk may park across Newfield Ave. at Doctor's Office. Please cross with traffic light.

TO R.S.V.P. CALL OR WRITE BY MAY 16, 2015:

James Santangelo Commander:

8 Pilgrim Dr.

Greenwich, Ct. 06831

Phone: 203 531 6490

Write in:  Member’s Name:__________________

Number of Guest:___ AMOUNT INCLOSED:_____

Make check to: VFW Post 9617 Springdale.

______________________________________________________________________

Thursday, May 21, 2015 (5:00 to 7:00 PM)

SALUTE TO VETERANS OF THE YEAR

Stamford Senior Center

Marco Pensiero will be one of the Honored Veterans.

Guest Speaker:

Brgd. Gen. (Retired) Robert M. Cody

Veteran of the Iraqi War

There is no charge for VFW Post 9617 Members. The cost for a Guest will be $15.00.

TO R.S.V.P. CALL OR WRITE BY MAY 16, 2015:

James Santangelo Commander:

8 Pilgrim Dr.

Greenwich, Ct. 06831

Phone: 203 531 6490

Write in:  Member’s Name:__________________

Number of Guest:___ AMOUNT INCLOSED:_____

Make check to: VFW Post 9617 Springdale.

VFW Post 9617 Stamford, CT one of the most active VFW chapters in the U.S. to support veterans

Members of VFW Post 9617 have been very busy the past very cold months doing charity work, raising funds for the Post, attending events honoring veterans, going to schools to speaking to students, devoting many hours to keep veterans informed important issues and how to file for benefits they earned for their service to our country, and visiting those veterans who are in hospitals and nursing homes.

Wednesday, February 18th. Meeting CANCELLED due to adverse weather conditions

The Commander has announced that the regular scheduled VFW Post 9617 meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

*** MONTHLY MEETING REMINDER ***

NEXT MEETING:  February 18, 2015  (7:30 PM)

Parking available at shopping center

Your attendance is of great importance.

Important announcement:
Please pay your dues.
You have been sent a notice.

BLUMENTHAL AND LEONE FEATURED AT VETS DINNER

On the far left, Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, on the far right CT State Senator Carlo Leone, Chair of Veterans Committee, third from left Marco Pensiero, member of VFW Post 9617, who was honored at the dinner.








Left, Rev. Msgr. Brig.Gen. Ret. Ted Malanowski, member of VFW Post 9617  and Col. Davin M. Dwyer, M.D., US Army, Served in Iraq. Dr. Dwyer was honored at the Knights of Columbus dinner honoring veterans.

VFW POST 9617 LED THE CELEBRATION OF VETERANS DAY IN STAMFORD

TWO BRIG.GENERALS HONORED AT VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION 

HOSTED BY VFW POST 9617

Marco Pensiero, Korean War combat veteran, and member of VFW Post 9617, led the procession, at Veterans Mass at, St. Mary's Church, Stamford, Ct.

Left to right, Brig. General Richard Ursone and Brig. General Mnsg.Thaddeus F. Malanowski, a member VFW  Post 9617, cut the cake at the celebration of Veterans Day  sponsored by the the VFW Post

Michael D. Macri, a long time member of VFW Post 9617, led the procession at the Veterans Mass,at St. Mary's Church, on Veterans Day. A standing room only crowd attended.

Veterans gather at altar of St. Mary's Church, Stamford, CT on Veterans Day

All Photos: Anthony Smeriglio

VFW POST 9617 HOLIDAY DINNER HONORED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM STAMFORD

Photo by:  Anthony Smeriglio

LEFT TO RIGHT,  STANDING GUEST LINWOOD WHITLEY,  VFW POST MEMBERS, ADJUTANT JAMES  S. VLASTO, QUARTERMASTER BRIG. GEN. (RET) ROBERT CODY, SEATED LEFT TO RIGHT, VFW POST MEMBER, CHRIS MUNGER,  GUEST, ROBERT MAYES JR., AND MEMBER  ROBERT MAYES, SR.