|
Abilene, Texas
|
Special Articles
Veteran's of Foreign Wars
HISTORY
MARTIN D. DENSON
VETERAN'S OF
FOREIGN WARS
POST 6873
|
1987 – 1988 In February of 1987 a group of veterans, realizing the need for a Veterans of Foreign Wars in the Tye/Dyess Air Force Base area, began organizational meetings. By March, the 25 required members to apply for a charter were obtained. On April 11, 1987, the Tye VFW Post 6873 was instituted at the Noncommissioned Officers Open Mess at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Following the institution, officers were elected and installed by Bobbie Burdett, of Wichita Falls, Texas. The charter was closed on July 11, 1987 with a total of 108 members. During the remainder of the 1986-87 year, Tye VFW Post 6873 obtained Honor Roll Post and All State Post honors. The Commander and Quartermaster were selected to the All State Team of Commanders and Quartermasters and Doug Bell was awarded a plaque for being the, organizer of VFW Post 6873. During the 1987-88 year, the Post received numerous awards. Honor Roll Banner, Honor Roll Post, and All State Post. Ray Yocom and Joseph Wolpe were again selected to the All State Team of Commanders and Quartermasters. In addition, the Community Service Record Book placed second in the state and eighth in the nation. The Post received numerous certificates and citations. CHARTER POST OFFICERS 1987 - 1988
1988 - Present In 1989 the membership of then Tye VFW Post 6873 purchased 4 acres of land on Vapor Trail near Dyess Air Force Base. This is the site of the new Post home. During construction of the 19,600 square-foot structure, the Post held its monthly membership meetings at a local American Legion Post. Prior to the grand opening, the members voted unanimously to dedicate and named the new Post home in memory of Army Private First Class Martin D. Denson. Martin was the only Big Country casualty in Operation Just Cause, the December 1989 invasion of Panama. Born in Abilene, Denson was a 1986 graduate of Jim Ned High School. He was serving with the 82nd Airborne Division when he suffered a gunshot wound in the leg while on one of the helicopters leading the attack on enemy forces in Panama. Denson insisted on getting off the chopper with his fellow soldiers, and was killed by a subsequent mortar barrage before he could be evacuated. He was buried with full military honors in Elmwood Memorial Park's Field of Honor. On April 11, 1992 Martin D. Denson VFW Post 6873, was officially opened, with family members of Martin there for the ceremonies.
Martin D Denson VFWA 6873 May 27, 1987 Three Acres MOC 36 March 2, 1984 Three Acres MOCA 36 March 2, 1984
|
 |
| © 2000 - 2009 |
| VFW 6873 Original Site design by |
| Rob Swinson, modified and maintained by Aivars Jurkis |
| This site contains content which is the sole property of the author and VFW Post 6873. |
| Any reproduction or use thereof without specific written permission of the author is a violation of current copyright laws. |
| Page last updated: 01 July 2009 |