Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 684

In August 1933, the first formation of thirty-five combat veterans was held with the purpose of starting the second VFW post located in Memphis, TN on Washington Avenue (near present day Le Bonheur Hospital). The name Armstrong VFW Post 684 was chosen after careful review of those who served from Memphis during WWI and it was dedicated in memory of Lt. Henry Guion Armstrong of Highland Avenue (near Highland Heights) who was killed in action Thursday, October 7, 1918 on the western front by shell fire while attacking seven Fokkers. He was 26 years old. In fitting tribute to the loss of his brother, Estes B Armstrong was nominated and elected the first commander of post 684. The post's primary civic support was directed towards Boy Scout Troop 10 but their community involvement expanded further with the influx of combat veterans from WWII and the Korean War. On June 26, 1972, the Rousseau VFW Post merged with Armstrong Post 684 due to falling membership and a lack of a permanent meeting hall. The Rousseau post had been dedicated to the memory of SSgt. Duane Michael Rousseau, formerly of Memphis. Rousseau was a graduate of Overton High School, Class of 1966 who was killed in action by small arms fire in Vietnam on July 28, 1969 in the Quang Ngai province. In keeping with the VFW goal of perpetuating the memory of our fallen comrades, SSgt. Rousseau's name was added and a new charter issued for the Armstrong-Rousseau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 684.