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- IN APPRECIATION:
- A WIFE’S TRIBUTE;
MARTY WAHL, REMEMBERED
Marty Wahl was a part of
everything that went on at Post #372 for almost 40 years, from set up to
clean up. He also served as Senior Vice Commander for 14 years. Marty made
many good friends and memories during his time with Post #372. This is a
fitting remembrance of his life and work for the Post written by his wife,
Dot, a longtime active member and officer of the Ladies Auxiliary.
***********************************
Born in Philadelphia, Marty moved to South Merchantville (now known as
Cherry Hill) in 1934. Their new neighborhood was so sparsely populated at
the time that Marty and his brothers were sure that the Indians were still
in the woods surrounding their house. He lived in the Cherry Hill area for
the rest of his life
As a Third Class Carpenter’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, Marty served on LST
537. He was immensely proud to have participated in the Normandy
Invasion. He was awarded the European, American and Pacific Ribbons and
also the Victory Medal. He forged many memories and relationships during
that time and renewed those again and again as a member of the U.S. LST
Association and also the LST 537 Reunion Association. His Navy reunions
were among the happiest time of his life.
He met and married Dorothy Schmidt in 1948 and they became partners on the
bumpy road of life for the next 49 years. Soon they had a daughter, June.
Everyone who knew Marty also knew how proud he was of his family,
especially his three grandchildren, Kerri, Brian and Kristi and his
great-grandchildren, Scotty and Karli. They were truly the light of his
life.
In 1960, in an effort to support their daughter June, Marty and Dot became
active with the all-girl Royaleers Drum and Bugle Corps which was
sponsored in part by the Cherry Hill American Legion Post #372. Marty
served as director from 1965 – 1971.
Over that decade of service he had the pleasure of watching many young
girls grow into confident young women. He is fondly remembered by all of
those girls as “Uncle Marty”. In later years he would often reminisce
about those days and his many experiences.
He was a member of the American Legion for over 40 years but when the Post
slipped into financial difficulty in the 70’s and faced the possible
closing of its doors, he became much more active in volunteering his
services because there was no cash to pay for the maintenance of the
building. The dedicated members all volunteered their services and it
started to prosper. Soon Post #372 became like a second home to Marty, Dot
and their family.
He played an active part in the planning and fundraising to finance the
addition of the game room. He volunteered his time and service from
decision making to maintenance of the building including the mopping and
waxing the floors every Sunday morning with the help of his Grandson,
Brian and friend David Spellman. |
