Gentry-Isom Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2702 celebrates 80th anniversary

MADISON – Gentry-Isom Veterans of Foreign Wars or VFW, Post 2702, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

Gentry-Isom VFW has the distinction as Alabama’s largest and most active VFW post, according to post officers.

Gentry-Isom VFW was chartered as a VFW Post on June 5, 1945, by a group of 35 veterans who wanted to make a difference in Huntsville.

The post was named to honor Herman D. Gentry and Luther J. Isom. Gentry died from wounds received in action near Pexonne, France on March 11, 1918, during World War I. He was the first casualty from Madison County in World War I.

Luther ‘Luke’ Isom died from wounds on Dec. 10, 1941, as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, in Hawaii. Isom was the first casualty from Madison County in World War II.

The post is situated on five acres in the historic first district in Huntsville at the corner of Sparkman Drive and North Memorial Parkway. Max Luther donated land for the post home.

Many of the post’s original charter members mortgaged their houses to build the property as it stands now. The building was constructed during 1957 and opened for use in 1958. The post’s first event was an Auxiliary social.

The post has served as a location for veterans and their families to meet for 70-plus years, with many fish fries, steak nights and bingo activities.

The Huntsville post continued its growth, eventually reaching 2,500 members in 1966 as the largest in the United States. In 2018, a new and younger contingent began to join the VFW.

The local post perpetuated traditions of previous comrades, by bringing back Family Night activities for a warm, welcoming place to gather and serve the local community.

Currently, the post has 490 members and is the largest in Alabama.

Gentry-Isom VFW, Post 2702 is also the most active post in the state and continually demonstrates its passion for service work. In 2023, the post contributed more than $102,000 in outreach to the Huntsville/ Madison County area. In 2024, the post has a goal of $125,000. In the first two quarters alone, the post has contributed more than $65,000 and more than $43,000, respectively.

The post will continue its efforts during the 80th anniversary year, including the annual ‘Tut’ Fann Trash Pandas outing, ‘Tut’ Fann football tailgate, Smoke-off honoring the area’s first-responders, annual National Day of Service and many youth scholarship programs to honor students and teachers.

Gentry-Isom VFW, Post 2702 invites the community and civic leaders to join the celebration and to partner with post members in community service efforts.

For more information, visit vfw2702. org.