American Legion Frederick W. Grigg Post 68 — Merchantville, NJ

American Legion Frederick W. Grigg Post 68
Post Office Box 1411, Merchantville, New Jersey 08109
Meetings: Second Thursday of every month, 7:30 PM at the Merchantville Community Center

The F.W. Grigg Post 68 of the American Legion has been active in Merchantville since the early 1920s. The Post is named after Corporal Frederick W. Grigg, who had grown up in Merchantville as one of ten children and had served with General Pershing in Mexico prior to America’s entry into World War I in 1917. Corporal Grigg was killed in action in October of 1918, one of four Merchantville men to make the Supreme Sacrifice for their country during World War I. The post received its temporary charter on August 13, 1919, and was formally chartered on March 21, 1921.

For many years the Post kept a home at 1 West Chestnut Avenue in Merchantville. In more recent times Post 68 has met at the Merchantville Community Center, at the foot of Greenleigh Court, off of Maple Avenue.

Over the past 80-plus years the F.W. Grigg Post 68 has compiled a long and distinguished record of serving the community of Merchantville and Pennsauken and the veterans community at-large. The Post sponsored one of the largest Boy Scout Troops in Camden County during the 1920s and 1930s, and for many years organized a Memorial Day Parade through the town. In 1950 the Post was instrumental in having the Park at Wellwood and Maple Avenues named Wellwood Memorial Park in honor of those who had served in all of her past conflicts.

Today the Post is active in advancing educational activities in the local schools, funding projects relating to disabled veterans, and sponsoring the annual Memorial Day ceremonies at Wellwood Memorial Park.

In 21st Century America our Country needs us as never before, not to fight, but to provide an example of what men and women of good character can and should do for their towns and neighborhoods. If you’ve served active duty in the armed forces during any of the war eras and have been honorably discharged or are still servicing, you are eligible for membership in The American Legion and WE WANT YOU. Although our Post is based in Merchantville, all those eligible are welcome. We especially would like to hear from those in Pennsauken and East Camden and nearby communities where veterans groups have not been active.

For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

A veteran — whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve — is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America”, for an amount of “up to and including my life.” That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

—Author Unknown

Post Meeting — Second Thursday of Every Month, 7:30 PM at the Merchantville Community Center

June 13, 2009 — Flag Disposal Ceremony at Burrough-Dover House

Who we are is far less important than what we do. The American Legion and Post 68 offers men and women who have served their country in uniform opportunities to serve their country and community after the days of their military service has passed.

A Flag Disposal Ceremony was held at the Burrough-Dover House in Pennsauken on Saturday, June 13, 2009. Joe Fitzpatrick coordinated this event.

At our meeting, Post officers for 2009 were installed. During Memorial Day week, Post members planted flags and grave markers on the graves of veterans and war dead at New Camden Cemetery and at the small cemetery on Haddonfield Road north of Park Avenue in Pennsauken.

Post 68 sponsors educational activities for the schoolchildren in our community. Entries have been received from middle-school students at the public and parochial schools in Merchantville for this year’s American Legion Safety Essay contest and from elementary school students for the American Legion Coloring contest. Awards will be made prior to the end of the school year.

Flag Day Ceremony at the Burrough-Dover House, Pennsauken NJ. Video of the ceremony was recorded.

Our brothers and sisters at American Legion Post 372 arranged to have The Moving Wall, a traveling replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., displayed at the Post Home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Post 68 Commander Bernie Henderson gave the invocation. Legionnaires Tom Young and Phil Cohen were in attendance, as were many veterans and family members and friends of those who gave all for our liberty.

Merchantville Elementary School

• First Prize: Joyce Callari, 5th Grade, Mrs. Borelli
• Second Prize: Savanna Fleig, 5th Grade, Mrs. Borelli
• Third Prize: Julia Honigfield, 5th Grade, Mrs. Borelli

St. Peter’s School

• First Prize: Joyce Callari, Grade 4-2, Sister Veronica
• Second Prize: Samantha Kehner, Grade 4-2, Sister Veronica
• Third Prize: Gavin Delp, Grade 4-2, Sister Veronica

Armond Damiani

On April 25, 2008, age 87, of Pennsauken NJ. Born in Camden NJ, he served with the US Marine Corps during WWII. Armond was also the operator of the Tom Thumb Restaurant in Camden and the Lakeview Restaurant in Moorestown for many years. He was the beloved husband of Bertha (nee Mohollen) and is also survived by one sister Enis Curcio of Haddon Twp, two sisters-in-law Helen Roche of Collingswood and Dorothy Mohollen of Cherry Hill, and several nieces and nephews.

Roland Bittle

Age 86 of Hainesport, passed away Tuesday May 20, 2008 at Lourdes Specialty Hospital, Willingboro, after a lengthy illness. Born in Camden NJ, he lived forty-five years in Mt. Ephraim and was a resident of Hainesport for the past forty-one years. He was a graduate of Audubon High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II during which he was stricken with polio. He worked for Radio Condenser in Camden, New York Shipyard Camden, and was an employee of Automotive Rentals Inc. in Merchantville until his retirement. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Hainesport, F.W. Grigg American Legion Post 68 Merchantville, the New Jersey Polio Network, and the DAV.

Leonard L. Tomassone

On August 18, 2008, age 88, of Mt. Laurel NJ. Beloved husband of 62 years to Edith (nee Cataldi). Leonard served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and was involved with the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Northern Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his contributions to our country. He was the past national president of the 9th Infantry Division and a member of the Frederick W. Grigg Post #68 American Legion where he served as a past commander.

Anthony Repice

On September 12, 2008, age 92, of Merchantville NJ. Tony was a Real Estate Broker and owned Repice Agency Merchantville NJ. He was a member of St. Peter’s RC Church of Merchantville NJ for 52 years. He served our country during World War II in the US Army and served in Germany as part of the Occupation Army. He was a 51-year member and Past Commander of F.W. Grigg Post American Legion.

Alfred Tornari

On January 30, 2009, age 84, of Pennsauken NJ. Alfred was a WWII Navy Veteran serving on the U.S.S. Delta, loyal parishioner and usher of St. Peter Church for 59 years, and a member of F.W. Grigg American Legion Post 68. Beloved husband of Angela (nee Iula) for 60 years and devoted father of Mark, Steven, and Deborah Harrell.

Joseph A. Siano

On December 1, 2008, of Pennsauken NJ for 50 years. Age 88. He was a United States Coast Guard Veteran of WWII. He was a member of the American Legion, Sons of Italy, Young at Heart, as well as many other Senior groups in the area.

Walter Carson

On February 2, 2009, age 85, of Pennsauken for 31 years. A Navy WWII Veteran serving on the USS Waterman DE, and a member of F.W. Grigg American Legion Post 68. He was a member of Calvary Community Baptist Church and a kind gentle man who loved his family and his church.