BITS & PIECES (July - September 2009)

Darn, it sure has been a busy three months !...It started out with our An-nual Easter Party, which was a huge success...many thanks to all the La-dies who helped out with the kids, stuffing and hiding the eggs, the ―Easter Bunny‖ and the food...once again Doris Ihenfeld out-did herself with the coordination of our Annual Yard, Bake and Hoagie Sale...great job as usual Doris!...Doris also headed up the Ladies Fundraiser of the Bead Flags and Earrings! ...and how about us hosting the Vietnam Traveling Wall in April ?!...we can’t thank Sue Quinn-Morris enough for bringing The Wall That Heals here and putting our Post on the prover-bial map!...(more info on the Wall visit inside this issue)….her brother and newly elected SAL Adjutant, Rob Quinn, gave our parking lot lines a fresh coat before the Wall visit, painted our Legion signs outside, and painted an American Flag on the out-side of the chimney….the Post was ―spiffed up‖ in preparation of the Wall—special thanks Ed White, Bill Quinn, Ernie Brosh, Phil Beck and others that worked many hours...the Wall visit brought many ―inactive‖ Post members out and we do hope that they continue to become involved in the many veteran based events that we hold all year round……....5 & 3 year old Marines, dressed in full blues stole the show, so to speak, at the Cherry Hill Township ser-vices!...Col Al Ban-croft was elated ! … Commander Macukewicz presented the family of KIA Capt Greg Dalessio with Certificates and a pin that Ed White had pur-chased through the Legion Catalog...In case your are wondering what Tom Wright is doing...he is work-ing for Moreys Piers in Wild-wood. Look him up and maybe he can set you up with a free ride of two.....―Energizer Bunny‖, Phil Back lets his legs do the walking to take him any place he goes. His ―BMI‖ has to be less than 20...Guess who has re-turned from a winter hiatus in Melbourne, Florida?..none other than Harry Price - the talented creator of ―Soldiers Lament‖ which adorns our Canteen wall. Welcome back Harry........Mr. and Mrs. Merril Morrison of Cherry Hill, NJ have donated a WWII vintage Japanese infantry rifle and a framed painting which they dubbed the ―Unknown Sailor‖ to the care, custody and control of Sr. Vice Commander Ernie Brosh...who turned the rifle over to Jason Macukewicz who is an expert in reconditioning rifles. We hope to preserve the rifle’s antiquity….our outside smoking area is adorned with a new used picnic table thanks to Fran Keashan … a thanks to Phil Beck on the upkeep of our grounds with the lawn tractor...a thanks to Ed White, Phil Beck and others that have been busy cleaning out the storage areas lately…. welcome to Al Gargas, a new General member of our Post...Chief Gargas and Major Kevin Skelly are teachers at Cherry Hill West High School...they are each recipients of the ―Purple Heart‖ and are re-tired Air Force...they are also responsible for the Air Force Junior ROTC pro-gram at the school...they were recently awarded ―Outstanding Instructor‖ awards placing them in the top twenty of 1930 instructors in the State of New Jersey that received this award..congratulations men and by the way ―Thanks for your ser-vice and continued service to our country‖...Post 372 awards a total of $5000 in money to the ROTC partici-pants...this years winners are Matt D’Arcy ($2000) for Drexel University, Danielle Cohen ($1500) for University of New Mexico and Jessica Saver-cool ($1500) for Camden County College...speaking of the Jr ROTC, Col. Al Bancroft, Free-holder Ed McDonnell and Sue Quinn-Morris recently presented the young men and women with Certificates of Appreciation for their out-standing help and support with the Wall….Tim Kraft and his buddies with Deer Park Fire Company provided their food/drink Rehab vehicle during the Escort rally in Carneys Point—thank you Tim!...Phil Atkinson and Ron Colucci presented our Post wreath at Opening Ceremony and boy did they look sharp!... Did you know that our own Ray Rubel was a Lieutenant Colonel and is also retired Air Force? Commander Macukewicz awarded Al Walker with a Certificate of Appreciation and engraved Plaque commemorating his many years of loyal and dedicated service to Post 372…
unfortunately, Al passed away on June 23rd ...he will be sorely missed…..Bill Connors continues his recovery from a stroke...he was recently seen in a golf cart on a personalized tour of Vietnam Wall...Fran Keashan and Brian Bush are attending to the matter of installing a handicapped ramp at Bill’s house….just another example of Legionnaire’s commitment to those in need…as you may recall we held a Welcome Home for Leo in January, he was home on leave..well he’s come home from his deployment—Nadina is one happy lady for sure….Leo and Nadina joined our Post back in January and we hope to see them soon!....Welcome Home Leo…..the 328th MP Group has returned from Iraq as well … you may remember meeting some of them when we
Bits & Pieces (cont’d)
held a Luncheon for them before their deployment last year ….WELCOME HOME TROOPS! …. Vietnam Memorial Fund Site Managers, Gunny and Debbie, absolutely loved their visit with us ..Gunny and Debbie also joined our Post … Com-mander Mac insisted that they not pay for it ...Gunny was presented with a special ―friend‖ for the road, much to Debbie's dismay...don't worry Debbie, she’s full of hot air—literally!...<smirk>….now what to do with the male version that pulled Security duty under Steve Funkhouser’s direction?....….….some Post members are talking about organizing a trip to Amer. Legion Post 242 in Quakertown PA Au-gust 15th when they host ―The Wall That Heals‖...or to Gettys-burg in October when the ―Wall‖ visits there...look for details on our website and on the bulletin board...The Annual Statewide Ser-vices at Locustwood were held in early June, followed by a luncheon at the Post...the following week was the American Legion Wild-wood Convention….about 20 of our Post members ventured off to Wild-wood for the Convention and the parade, which was fantastic....after the Parade Post members visit all the motels along the strip where other Posts are staying..... wonderful time to mingle with fellow Post
members...Ron and Carol’s annual pig roast which is held at the end of June each year, was a huge success…....July 3rd was MaryEllen’s 1/2 birthday—mark your calendars!...in case your wondering where the KIA Markers left from the Candlelight Ser-vices are, they now adorn Sue Quinn-Morris; back-yard ...Kudos to all our newly elected Officers…....thank you to Dave Larsen and Phil Beck on get-ting the kitchen in tip top shape .. Thanks to Tom Parkhill for fixing the stove...please be sure to visit our website and register on the Bulletin Board to receive late breaking news and updates...you can also post your news there… well wishes go out to our members who have been battling some health is-sues...we are all praying for you!...

 

 

POST BITS & PIECES Nov/Dec..2008

Sr. Vice Commander Ernie Brosh pulled into the Post parking lot and observed Rich Hegarty and Harry Price gazing skyward in the wooded area behind our cannon. Ernie joined them and asked, "What the hell are we looking for?!". It seems that Harry (creator of Soldier's Lament) is also a builder and model plane enthusiast. He launched his "Yellow Bird" plane powered by a heavy duty rubber band from the Cherry Hill West football field and it flew high above the trees and over Marlboro Ave only to make a 180 degree turn and dive into the trees. The trio, joined by Mary Ellen Murray and passerby could not find Yellow Bird, not knowing how they would get the plane down if they did find it. However, the law of physics applied and "Yellow Bird" fell to earth a couple days later minus the horizontal stabilizer. Yellow Bird is in "Harry's Hanger" undergoing an extensive checkup and repairs and will soon be seen flying high above the friendly skies of Post 372.

Our "Master Carpenter", Robert Arcinese, was instrumental in opening up the canteen area and brought the tools of his trade into the Post once again. This time he reinforced the balcony wall in the hall so a new high definition 32 inch flat screen TV could be installed. The TV was donated by Executive Officer Tim Kraft, who also did the hookup of cables, etc. Rich Hegarty, Sgt of Arms Ernie Linden and Executive Officer Bill Quinn also assisted in this project…..Those of you who did not attend either the VFW Post 2445 Clambake or our own SAL Family Day events have no idea of the fun and great bargain for your money that you missed out on….our own Family Day was a huge success and probably the best ever. SAL Commander Brian Fitzgerald expressed his thanks and gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed your labor and time to make it such a huge success....take notice of the new lectern for Post meetings...the lectern has been Sr. Vice Commander Ernie Brosh's project since he received the late Tom Goldy's permission to have one built over two years ago...observe the American Legion Emblem inside a continuous

ring" band. The lectern was built by who else, "artist extraordinaire" Harry Price with over four coats of varnish and a couple coats of polyurethane applied by Rich Hegarty. The lectern is the same size, but half the weight of the old one….rumor has it that Harry and Rich can't wait to hear what new projects Sr. Vice Ernie Brosh has in mind for them...Get well wishes go out to our dear friend Mike (aka Mikey) Watson who recently was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery and is undergoing treatment...the original date of the  Beef & Beer Benefit for Mikey had to be postponed—the new date is November 22, 2008 from 6pm—10pm...see Don Iddenden for details/questions...9/11 victims and POW/MIA’s were memorialized by the Post on Chapel Ave—Volunteers Steve Spillane, Shannon Spillane, Bill Coneby, Ed White, Joe Zanghi and Sue Quinn-Morris put the Flag of Honor out on Chapel Ave, surrounded by smaller and bigger flags and yellow ribbons (photo in the Courier-Post and Trend)...…we sure are missing our Sal Chaplain these days—he’s recently moved down to Wildwood for a job opportunity—we miss you Tom, be sure to visit us soon!....our beloved Charlie Danks is back—naughty as ever!...it is suggested that you do not give Charlie your phone number—just ask Mary Leonardo!...speaking of people making an appearance again—we’re happy to report there’s been Jimmy Shields sightings as well—nice to see you Jimmy!.....with the winter months approaching though, you may want to stay clear of Jimmy if he’s looking to warm his hands!....kudos to the wonderful job Cindy is doing in the kitchen—her food is stellar—a big hit with all….not only has Don Iddenden been having car problems, he was sabotaged by the toilet paper bandit recently too...we received word from Tom Pagano, who is the brother of the Cherry Hill fallen soldier Capt Greg Dalessio. Greg was killed in Iraq in July 2008. Their family is holding the 1st Annual 5K run in Greg’s honor on Dec. 6th—see article and details in this Scoop…..Operation Standdown was held at the Cherry Hill Armory on October 3rd—Post members Steve Spillane, Carol Doyle, Ron Colucci, Bill Coneby, Cheryl Coneby and Sue Quinn-Morris attended to help our area homeless vets…..…The Post is currently collecting information on what it will take to bring the Vietnam Moving Wall to the Post...stay tuned for details as they come in….the Veterans History Luncheon, held Oct 29th at the Post, will be reported on in the next issue of the Scoop...thank you to all the Veterans that participated in the Project!...Ladies Auxiliary volunteers Doris Ihenfeld, Dot Wahl, Edna Gallagher and Gail Lloyd made up Flag Pins which are on sale at the Post...if you have any “news” you’d like to see in the Scoops Bits & Pieces be sure to pass it on to either Ernie Brosh or Sue Quinn-Morris….

 POST BITS and PIECES (Sept/Oct '08)

 

The Post welcomes a new cook, Chef Gary Slayback – his hours are 12 – 7pm Mon—Fri, be sure to stop by for a bite to eat!...Chef Gary also provides catering …..A Huge WELCOME HOME goes out to soldier MICHAEL Monforto, especially from his family and barperson Mary Ellen Murray, who are so glad for his safe return from his courageous tour of duty in Iraq!....be sure to check out one of our new advertisers in this issue – Handyman Don Iddenden – questioning what made Don decide to advertise may bring an embarrassing answer from Charlie Alberti ….please consider supporting our Post and increasing your business by advertising in the Scoop – for members it is only $25/issue for a business card size ad, and $30/issue for non-members….or buy ad space for a year—$120/yr for member, $145/yr for non-member...a welcome home goes out to Phil Atkinson – glad to have you back!...unfortunately we lost a Past Ladies Auxiliary President in July – our friend and previous Post Cook, Eileen Morrissey...she is sorely missed….Kudos go out to Doris Ihlenfeld on her hard work and dedication as the Ladies Auxiliary Historian - ask to see the History Album she is working on and see details about it in this Scoop issue….Kudos also go out to June Fitzgerald and Annette Romano, who are the backbone of our Girls State Program and are very proud of our girls – see article in this issue of Scoop…the Post now has an official Pool League consisting of Jim Arcinese, Bill Norton, Rich Derer, Tom Wright, Dave Hartzell, Brian Fitzgerald, Don Iddenden, Phil Atkinson, Vinnie Calano, Ken Candia, and alternate George DuBell—be sure to show your support and come out to cheer them on!... Brian Fitzgerald and Tom Adams, for County and Department, made the long trek up to High Point State Park for the annual Department Memorial Service on June 29th …. The Ladies Auxiliary sponsored a Breast Cancer Event in June at the Post, providing hot dogs and hoagies to help out with their fundraising—thanks goes out to Doris Ihlenfeld, Edna Gallagher, Carol Doyle, Sue Quinn-Morris, and Thelma Dougherty….. The Erlton Parade was a huge success, with a good turn-out from the Post...if any photos are received from the event you can check them out on our website at www.alch372.com ….In addition to attending soldier Gregory DaLessio’s funeral in the beginning of July, our Chaplain Chester Malik attended a funeral of a fallen comrade - Hubert A. Dockery - on Tuesday July 15th 2008. Hubert's wife was presented with a Bible from the American Legion Post 372. Noone was available to assist Chester with the funeral so he did the service alone. The following day Chester attended the burial at Locustwood Cemetery. Major Steve Reinis and his crew held services there with the playing of Taps, folding of the flag and presentation of the flag to Hubert's wife Anna….the Ladies Auxiliary is starting to get care packages ready for the troops—donations are needed —we are looking for DVD Movies, Music CD’s, Batteries, Chewing Gum and any type of snack that will not melt...if you can donate some things, please drop it off at the Post...Post member Tom Adams was re-elected and installed as the Commander for the Camden County American Legion and was also elected and installed at the Wildwood Convention as Department Vice Commander for the American Legion. His service District covers Camden, Burlington, Ocean and Atlantic Counties—Congratulations Tom and thank you for all your time and effort! …..A bit of County News— Audubon Post 262 member Bob Phillips has submitted and been endorsed by his Post and the County to run for Department Commander for 2009/2010…. Magnolia Squadron 370 member John 'Jay" Gillman has submitted and has been endorsed by his Squadron, the Sal's County and the Camden County American Legion to run for Detachment Commander for 2009/2010… DON’T FORGET—if you have any news you want to see in Bits & Pieces, submit it in WRITING via email to Sue Quinn-Morris or Ernie Brosh, leave it in the Scoop Bin at Post, or send regular mail, marked to the attention of the SCOOP...
 

 

POST BITS & PIECES......(July/August 2008)

 

Thanks to some spit, polish and old-fashioned “elbow grease” by former Naval Chief Petty officer Fred Peterson, the solid brass bell used during all our meetings literally sparkles and looks brand new….Harry Price (artist extraordinaire of “Soldiers Lament” in canteen) fabricated a Plexiglas enclosure and frame for a 911 Commemorative Flag donated by Joe Zanghi…. Harry and Rich Hegarty assembled and installed the framed flag in our hall after Mary Leonardo steam ironed it.... Tom Wright installed the new branch service flags around the cannon... Is there anything that this man has not done for the good of our Post?...Did you know that Commander Charlie Macukewicz and Senior Vice Commander Ernie Brosh, between them, have attended 99.2 percent of the last sixty-six consecutive meetings? Almost as pure as Ivory soap….Our thanks to SAL George Primivera for fixing our ceremonial bugle….Steve and Shannon Spillane have wasted little time in contributing to our Post. Steve recently retired as a Colonel from the United States Air Force. On Memorial Day they brought in two large trays of Lasagna, salad, rolls and butter, etc. Enough food to feed a small squadron!….Tom Parkhill and Rich Hegarty have reinforced more than a half dozen of our bar stools...Chaplain Chester Malik assisted in the burial of SFC Frank Vargo at the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Berlin, NJ, and used the Post bugle to play Taps. SFC Vargo was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Also present was Maj. Steve Rienis and S/Sgt Melony Culp... Get well wishes go out to Charlie Danks—Mary Leonardo and Sue Quinn-Morris are really missing the “coaster” tosses, so hurry back!.. ...see Don Iddenden for information regarding the Ken Candia Life Manual Book Signing (revision 25)....Thanks goes out to Sabrina Gottron for her expert advise to help Senior Vice Commander Ernie Brosh who is going through troubled times with his beloved dog,“Chili”… Our sympathies to David and Joan Colwell who had to “put down” their beloved dog and a short time later Dave’s grandfather passed away…Sympathies also go out to Kim Bierbach and her family on the loss of her brother—there will be a benefit on July 13th—look for details in this Scoop issue...Ted Verlander has been in to see us all and is settled in his new home in Delaware now ...we had a surprise visit from Rob Andrews at our annual Yard, Bake and Hoagie Sale, which was headed by Doris Ihlenfeld... The Post is the proud owner of a new commercial dishwasher thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary— Bill Quinn was instrumental in overseeing and helping with the installation... Sue Quinn Morris has been working on the 1st round of the Veterans History Project Interviews with Chief Al Gargas and the Cherry Hill West ROTC Cadets...thank yous go out to Ernie Brosh, Chin Johnson, Tom Wright, Dot Wahl, Nick DiGrosso and Bill Quinn for their help & support with the Project also…thanks to Dave Larsen for all the food he’s prepared for the Post functions… Charlie Alberti, for the last 3 years, has been an invaluable tool in updating, preparing and printing out the labels for our Scoop publication—along with carting the printed publication to the Camden Post Office for mailing —good job Charlie!... .Farewells go out to our local troops who were deployed to Iraq— Sue Quinn-Morris got 80 MP contacts from the National Guard Armory Luncheon held in May, so the Ladies will be quite busy with care packages in the upcoming months… the turnout for the flagging of the graves at Locustwood in May was a huge success as always. Every year Post 372 volunteers show up to place flags on the grave sites of all our veterans in Locustwood Cemetery. Thank you’s go out to ; Jim Gallagher, Ernie Brosh, Dave Larsen, Dave Hartzel, Andy Jackson, Robert Shaw, Bill Coneby, Bill Connors, Tom Adams, Ed White, Tom Heinsinger, Chester Malik, Tom Wright, Vicki Foulch, Sabrina Gottron, Gary Gottron, Keri Gottron, Mike Lalena, Carol Doyle, Ron Flynn, Gail Lloyd, Annette Romano, Rich Hegarty, Jim Arcinese, Debbie Arcinese, Robert Arcinese, Donna Arcinese, Joe Wacker, Paula G., Steve Spillane, Shannon Spillane, Edna Gallagher, Sue Quinn-Morris, Fran Keasen, Lisa Hixson, Brian Fitzgerald, Paul Pollard, Mike Goffinett, Tom Hoskins, TJ Hoskins, Donna Jackson, Jimmy Sirianni, Nancy Sirianni, Joan Colwell, Dave Colwell, Ernie Linden (BBQ), Tom Lydick.....we think we have accounted for everyone that helped out, however if we missed your name, we apologize!... we had a great turnout in Wildwood as usual, with the SAL’s winning three Awards !

 

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