Michael Raymond joined the US Army in 1987, serving in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps as a paralegal, US Army Recruiter and volunteer Chaplain’s Assistant. He was stationed in Germany, then Ft. Huachuca, AZ where he was deployed to the Persian Gulf War. He was later stationed in Korea for 2 years as a Chief Legal NCO and joined the VFW and Cooties in Uijongbu, Korea Post 10215 in 1993. He became a Life Member of the VFW in 1994 and is VFW Gold Legacy Life Member and VFW National Home Centurion Life Member.
When Michael was honorably discharged he worked for the US Department of Justice in Concord, NH thru 1999 and transferred into the local VFW Post. He graduated cum laude from the University of Southern New Hampshire in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing.
Michael moved to Boston in 2009 and transferred into Post 2017. He later transferred to Post 2498 in 2015 where he earned All-American honors as both a Post Commander and Quartermaster, All-American honors as District 5 Commander and Quartermaster. He became the VFW Massachusetts State Commander in 2022-23 where he earned All-American Commander and Triple Crown. He has served as National Deputy Chief of Staff, Three-Time Centurion Recruiter, and recruited over 600 VFW members in the last ten years. Michael has served as the VFW Massachusetts National Home Chairman in 2019-20 where he raised $3,500 and again in 2024-25 where he raised an additional $7,500.
Michael became a VFW Assistant State Service Officer in 2015 and maintained his accreditation as he continues to serve as the Director of Veterans Services for the Town of Mansfield since 2016. He has been a member of the Massachusetts VFW Foundation since 2021, Past Commander of his DAV, American Legion, Amvets, and Mass Veterans Service Officers Association Treasurer & Chaplain, Free & Accepted Mason since 1996, former Arizona Ranger Public Relations Sergeant, and Ordained Minister.
He has a deep level of love, energy and support for the VFW National Home. Michael resides with his spouse William Dempsey who is a Life Member of the VFW Auxiliary and very supportive of his dedication to veterans and their families.
