History and dates of Flagging, Locustwood, Memorial Day and Legion Statewide Services

HISTORY:

In 1932, the Locustwood Cemetery Association deeded 400 free grave sites to the American Legion for use by Legionnaires and their spouses, and erected a monument memorializing their service.

As part of the transfer of grave sites, the American Legion committed to holding an annual memorial on the first Sunday after Memorial Day, a tradition that has continued since 1935 !! (Annual NJ American Legion Statewide).

Keeping with this tradition, American Legion Post 372 members gather on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day weekend, in preparation of Memorial Day and Statewide Services, to honor and remember our veterans (and fellow Legionnaires) by placing American Flags on all the veterans graves. (Annual Flagging of Locustwood)

The following week, on Memorial Day, American Legion holds Services at our Legion, Locustwood, Cooper River and attends the Cherry Hill Township Services.

NJ American Legion Statewide Services, which are held on the Sunday after Memorial Day in front of the American Legion monument at Locustwood Cemetery, brings NJ American Legion Officers, Honor Guards and members from Legions throughout the state of New Jersey for a parade and service. Local dignitaries and other veteran organization representatives are among the speakers and guests as well. Following the Service at Locustwood, American Legion Post 372 has a Social/Food Buffet at the Legion.

These events/traditions have deep roots which include a commitment to fulfill a promise made between NJ American Legion and Locustwood some 82 years ago.

DETAILS OF ANNUAL EVENTS:

ANNUAL FLAGGING OF LOCUSTWOOD CEMETERY – The Sunday prior to Memorial Day
Meet at Locustwood Cemetery at 9:45am. Volunteers should bring a poker or screwdriver in the event its needed to insert flags into ground. Bill Quinn will be at the cemetery with maps, flags and directions for volunteers. We will have some additional volunteers, as we did last year, from the Jewish Family Services and others, who will help us with the flagging as well. There will be a brief ceremony prior to flagging. For more details and/or questions about flagging or ceremony, see Bill Quinn.

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
9:30am – Services at the Legion
10:00am – Services at the American Legion Monument in Locustwood Cemetery.
10:30am – Services at Bataan Memorial at Cooper River Park
11:00am – Services at Cherry Hill Township Municipal Bldg, followed by lunch.

The Annual NJ American Legion Statewide Services, are held on the first Sunday in June. NJ American Legion Officers, Honor Guards and members from Legions throughout the state of New Jersey will convene for a parade and service at Locustwood Cemetery. Local dignitaries and other veteran organization representatives are among the speakers and guests as well. Following the Service at Locustwood, American Legion Post 372 has a Social/Food Buffet at the Legion.

ANNUAL NJ AMERICAN LEGION STATEWIDE SERVICES – First Sunday in June
Convene at Locustwood Cemetery at 1:30pm, for a parade kickoff at 2pm.
Services to follow the Parade.
Social & Food Buffet to follow Services at the American Legion Post 372.

PLEASE support these American Legion Traditions and honor all our veterans.