Eagle Feathers #209 – The Dilboy Post

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

It was exactly one century ago in 1920 when 155 veterans from World War I returned home from France. Early on, they founded and named The George Dilboy Post 529 V.F.W. honoring one of their heroic brothers in arms, Army Private George Dilboy. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Somerville honors him with a memorial in front of City Hall and the George Dilboy Memorial Stadium.

These founding veterans had just witnessed the horrors of World War I, the war to end all wars. Little did they know that another world war would develop in less than 20 years, followed by many other brutal conflicts. Suffering through trench warfare, poison gas attacks, and battles at sea, these World War I soldiers and sailors were thankful to be home and alive.

The Post members established the creed “protect the home – feed the hungry – comfort the sick.” Through the years, most members swore that if they returned home, they would try to improve life for themselves, their families and friends. They have done this for 100 years. Their membership increased from the original 155 to a high of 4,400 during the 1950’s, making it the largest Post in New England.

Over time, living up to its creed, the Post has sponsored hundreds of community projects. Its members created renowned junior military marching bands and decorated many veterans’ graves. The Dilboy Post was the first to formulate an Installation Team to create other VFW Posts throughout Massachusetts. They equipped and furnished veterans’ hospital wards and rooms across the state from Chelsea to Holyoke. They also contributed to many deserving charities and relief drives.

Somerville’s city seal proclaims, “Honorably Purchased from the Pawtuckets 1639,” They were the Native American Indians who inhabited the Mystic River Valley. It is an honor that very few cities can claim.

During WWI, Americans exhibited Indian head profiles and images on their shoulder patches, vehicles, and equipment. During WWII, young airborne troops sporting Mohawk haircuts, prayed with General Eisenhower just hours before leaping into the French skies over Normandy. They spearheaded the D-Day invasion yelling “Geronimo!” in honor of the great Native American Chief. It was a declaration of their proud American heritage.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars’ sponsorship of Somerville sports has been almost endless. From Golden Gloves Boxing at Dilboy Field, to amateur baseball, basketball, golf, hockey and road races for all ages.

Most interestingly, the veterans of the All-American Dilboy Post gave Boston its first professional football team, The Boston Redskins. The team played in Boston for their first few years and then moved to Washington, D.C. It is there that they have been honoring America and the American Native Indian since 1937 as our Capitol’s team … The Washington Redskins!