MARBLEHEAD — The Select Board declared June 30 as Dave Rodgers Day on Sunday at Rodgers’ retirement party.
Rodgers has served as the town’s veterans agent for the past 25 years.
Select Board member Moses Grader read the board’s proclamation.
“David’s dedication to Marblehead’s many generations of individual veterans has included coordination of Social Services assistance in navigating the complexity of the federal and state government bureaucracies, aid, and obtaining access to medical care, organizing and leading military funerals, obtaining service-connected disability benefits among scores of other activities,” Grader read. “Now, therefore after 25 years of dedicated service to the Town of Marblehead and upon his decision to retire as veterans agent on June 30, 2024 for the Select Board by this proclamation, in recognition of his service and with all good wishes, do hereby proclaim June 30, 2024 David Rodgers Day in the Town of Marblehead.”
The Veterans of Foreign Wars post only had standing room left as people rejoiced in Rodgers’ honor.
Rodgers said he is looking forward to spending more time fishing during his retirement.
“It’s been a good run, and I’m not leaving town,” Rodgers added. “Unfortunately, I got really close with a lot of my clients and got to know them really well and they are not here anymore. And that’s tough, it really is.”
Bill Conly, who served on the Select Board, said he had “the pleasure” of appointing Rodgers to his position 25 years ago.
Joseph Puleo said when he came to Marblehead after leaving the Navy and struggling with his health, Rodgers helped him get back on his feet.
“He is one of the best guys I have ever known,” Puleo said.
Grader said Rodgers is an “unbelievable character in town.”
“He is very devoted to Marblehead. He was a very strong voice of the veterans, especially after Vietnam, he was really a voice in integrating veterans with the broader community and in celebrating their contributions to our country,” Grader said.
Rodgers’s nephew Daniel C. Rodgers said he is “proud to be Dave’s nephew.”
“He is one of the best Americans I have ever known, he is a great man,” Daniel C. Rodgers said.
State Rep. Jenny Armini said Dave Rodgers once helped her daughter with a school project. Her daughter had to write a paper about Vietnam veterans by interviewing someone in her town.
Armini’s daughter interviewed Dave Rodgers, and he had photos of himself and others and stories that helped humanize the experience for her.
“A big historical event suddenly became the sum total of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things in a very deadly situation,” Armini said.
She said the care and attention that Dave Rodgers provided for her daughter’s project was just one of many moments when he showed heroism and dedication to the town’s community.
“Dave went above and beyond even that he served his country, his Commonwealth, and his community more than once with the greatest distinction,” Armini said. “As protector of veterans, educator of young people, family man, friend, Dave Rodgers is the indispensable man of Marblehead.”
“I think what you see here today is that you are loved Dave — you are loved,” VFW Cmdr. Ronny Knight said.
