Dixon VFW Post 540

09/09/2026

09/07/2026

WHERE WERE YOU ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001?

Some of us were at work, going about an ordinary Tuesday morning—until the news came. We watched in disbelief as what first appeared to be a terrible accident became unmistakably clear: our nation was under terrorist attack. We were shocked. We were afraid. And we were angry.

Some of us were teenagers sitting in classrooms, watching teachers and other adults struggle to understand what was happening. Today, those teenagers are around 40 years old, many raising families of their own.

Some were young children. They didn't understand terrorism or why everyone was staring at the television. They simply knew from the faces and voices of the adults around them that something was terribly wrong. Today, those children are adults themselves.

And some were already parents and grandparents. They understood enough to know that the world their children and grandchildren would inherit had just changed. Twenty-five years later, they are among our community's elders—and some of the people who shared that September morning with us are now part of the memories we carry.

Four generations. Four different experiences. One September morning each would remember in their own way.

Twenty-five years later, those generations still make up our community.
Some are now our elders.
Some are grandparents themselves.
Some are raising families.
Some are building lives of their own.
And an entire generation has since been born that knows September 11 only through the memories we choose to share with them.

The generations have changed. Our responsibility to remember has not.

On Friday, September 11, 2026, our community will gather at Dixon Veterans Memorial Park.

Whether you remember every moment, remember only pieces, or weren't yet born—
Stand with us. Remember with us. Help us keep the promise.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

09/06/2026

Steven B. pulled card #15 on Thursday night but that was the 2♣ so the pot rolled over to $7,375! Next week we'll have creamy beef and noodles with bread, and based on how delicious it was described to us this is probably going to go fast so you might want to get here a little earlier than normal.

The American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive here on Tuesday from 12-5 and we'd love to see a nice showing so if you haven't signed up to donate already, please do. They might be able to sneak you in without an appointment, but even better if you sign up with the ARC Blood Donor app if you're available. We certainly appreciate all donors as it's vital for those needing blood.

09/05/2026

Every year, the VFW hosts our 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 audio essay competition for 9th through 12th graders, with winning essayists receiving scholarships up to $35,000. For 6th-8th graders we host the 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭'𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐧, which is a 300- to 400-word written essay contest with scholarships up to $5,000. This year’s theme for both is “𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘝𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘔𝘦 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢”.

The winning Voice of Democracy entry from our Dixon post will win a cash prize of $200, and the winning Patriot’s Pen essayist will win a cash prize of $100. Those winners’ essays will then advance to VFW Illinois District 6 for another round of judging, then to the Department of Illinois, then to the national VFW competition. Each of these rounds includes a potential for further awards.

Any interested students will need to submit their essays and entry forms to Dixon VFW Post 540 no later than October 31st, 2026. The easiest way to submit an entry is by scanning the QR code on the attached entry forms to submit via the Scholars App, but we will also accept entries by email or in-person (please reach out if that applies to you).

09/04/2026

Tonight's Queen of Hearts pot is $6,865!

09/01/2026

WE MADE A PROMISE TO NEVER FORGET

Twenty-five years ago, terrorists attacked our nation.

From the first moments of that cowardly attack, Americans showed how we would respond—with courage, sacrifice, service, and unity.

We remember what happened.
But we also remember who answered.

Here at home, while our nation was under attack and no one knew what might happen next, our police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and other first responders remained at their posts—protecting the communities they called home and standing ready for whatever might come.

They were our neighbors protecting their own.

Twenty-five years later, that commitment remains.

The men and women serving our local communities today live among the people they serve. They are our neighbors, friends and family members. They share our streets, our schools and our community—and when we need them, they answer.

On Friday, September 11, 2026, we will stand together at Dixon Veterans Memorial Park on the 25th anniversary of the attacks on our nation.

We will remember the 2,977 innocent lives taken that day.
We will honor the first responders who ran toward unimaginable danger.
We will remember those whose sacrifice continued long after September 11, 2001.
And we will remind ourselves—and another generation—of the promise Americans made:
WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

This is a community remembrance, bringing together our local law enforcement, fire and emergency services, veterans, and the citizens we all serve.

Hosted at Dixon Veterans Memorial Park

Jointly sponsored by Dixon VFW Post 540 & Dixon American Legion Post 12

Less than two weeks remain.
On September 11, stand with us as we stand with them. Together, as one community, we remember—and together, we keep our promise to never forget.
Keep the promise. Remember September 11th.