American Legion Memorial Post 274
American Legion Memorial Post 274 — Broadway & Jefferson Street, Camden NJ
1944 South Broadway, Camden NJ 08104
Due to declining membership and a complete deterioration of conditions in the immediate neighborhood, Post 274 sold the building at 1944 South Broadway in 2008. While a Post can remain active with as few as 15 members, 60 were required by the City of Camden to retain a liquor license. Most of the members no longer lived in the neighborhood, in fact, most no longer lived close enough for them to remain actively involved in Post Activities. As of this writing, all but four Post 274 members have transferred to other posts around the country.
This page, however, will remain up on this website to commemorate American Legion Memorial Post 274, its members and the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen from the old Eighth Ward who so gallantly served their country and their community.
December 11, 2008
Welcome to Memorial Post 274
Welcome to the web-page of American Legion Memorial Post 274, of Camden NJ. We are a post with a proud history and much enthusiasm.
Located at Broadway and Jefferson Street in Camden NJ, we take our name from the World War II Memorial situated on our grounds that was erected through the efforts of our members over 50 years ago. We take inspiration from their accomplishments, and are looking forward in this century to further their record of service to community and country.
Within this website you will find information on our Post, its activities, Legion activities county- and state-wide, articles about the history of our post, and links to other items of interest, including websites on every war memorial in Camden County.
Postal Mail address: 1944 South Broadway, Camden NJ 08104.
Upcoming Events — Post 274
Post Meeting — Second Tuesday Every Month
Beef & Beer
American Legion Post 274
Broadway & Jefferson Street, Camden NJ
2 to 6 PM September 5, 2004 — Donation $6.00
Our New Bar!!!!
After 60 years, it was time to build a new bar, and that is just what Post members did this summer!!!
Built by Tony Abate from J & R Pallets at 4th and Jefferson Streets, our new bar made its debut on August 23, 2003 with a reunion of Post members and patrons of the old Tender Trap at Broadway and Liberty Street.
Major credit must be accorded to Commander Bill Wiltsey for shepherding this project through to completion.
A last look at the old bar.
The Latest News — 2003
Congratulations to the Post 274 Ladies Auxiliary and the Post 274 Sons of the American Legion, both newly organized during the spring of 2003.
On May 21, Service Officer Phil Cohen partnered with the Camden County Department of Veterans Affairs and the Housing Authority of the City of Camden to bring a Veterans Benefits update seminar to the senior citizens at Westfield Towers in Camden NJ. Another clinic is planned for July at Kennedy Towers in Camden NJ.
On Memorial Day weekend, Post 274 and the Sons of the American Legion planted 600 flags at New Camden Cemetery on Mount Ephraim Avenue in Camden NJ. Most gratifying was the rediscovery of the grave of Corporal Robert G. Toperzer, who was killed in action in Germany on February 24, 1945. Corporal Toperzer’s grave had been concealed by branches, leaves, and untrimmed grass. Legionnaires and SAL members cleared the undergrowth and planted a flag and American Legion grave marker for him.
Planting the Colors for Corporal Toperzer — New Camden Cemetery, May 2003.
A Memorial Service was also held at the Post for Legionnaires and members of the Post family who have gone on. The Post paid tribute to Joseph Di Renzo, George Drummond, and Leslie Cyprian.
Post 274 was the fastest growing Post in Camden County in the year 2002–2003. For reaching a membership level of more than 110% of that achieved in 2001–2002, Post 274 was awarded a plaque at the annual American Legion Departmental Convention in Wildwood NJ on June 13, 2003. Congratulations to Joe Viggiano, Membership Chairman, for another fine effort.
Post 274 receives fastest-growing post award at the American Legion Departmental Convention, Wildwood NJ, June 13, 2003. Post 274 stayed at the Cape Cod Inn in Wildwood Crest during convention week.
Ladies Auxiliary & Kitchen
Ladies Auxiliary Events
Every Monday night the Ladies are in the kitchen, and they are not playing! Come get your grub on, and support the Ladies Auxiliary in their programs. The $2.00 meals on Monday night is the best deal in the city!
Kitchen Under New Management!
Come visit Post 274, and bring your appetite. Mel and her crew are back there, waiting to cook up a treat for you to eat!
On the Road with Post 274!
In October, Commander Bill Wiltsey, Second Vice Commander Luther Long, Service Officer Phil Cohen, and Legionnaire Hector Feliciano visited Post 370 in Magnolia NJ to take part in a horseshoe tournament to raise money for Legion projects.
Left to right: Hector Feliciano, Luther Long, Bill Wiltsey — Post 370 horseshoe tournament, Magnolia NJ, October 2003.
Serving Our Community — Walking to Find a Cure!
Legionnaire Jesse Lawrence and SAL Dave Mendez joined over a thousand other community minded people in a walk around Cooper River Park in Pennsauken NJ on September 28, 2003.
Walking as part of Zachary’s Gang, Jesse and Dave raised $369 toward finding a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. Zachary’s Gang raised over $3,600 in total. Zachary’s Gang takes its name from Zachary Franchi, the son of Camden businessman Jeff Franchi, who is afflicted with the disease. With support from Post 274 Ladies Auxiliary, local businesses, and the energetic presence of SAL Ricky Duran, Post 274 stepped up and stepped out, proudly serving.
Diabetes Walk, Cooper River Park, Pennsauken NJ, September 28, 2003. Above left: Jesse and Dave. Above right: Jesse, Ricky, and Dave. Below: Follow that Ponytail! — Jesse in action!
Serving Our Community — Think Pink!
On October 24, 2003 the Ladies Auxiliary took to the streets of Cramer Hill as part of their Think Pink campaign to help prevent and find a cure for breast cancer. The Auxiliary, with help from SALs Michael Coley and Dave Mendez, gathered at Mendez Flowers and Fine Gifts, at 25th and River Road, the night before to assemble information packets. On the 24th, the Auxiliary and SALs passed out carnations and over 1,000 information packets about the disease. Camden Mayor Gwen Faison came out and lent her support to this worthy event.
Think Pink — Cramer Hill, Camden NJ, October 24, 2003. Above left: Missy Mauser & Darlene Timmons making up information packets the night before. Above right: Passing out literature in front of Mendez Flowers on River Road. Below left: Passing out literature on River Road. Below center: Mayor Faison and staff Think Pink! Below left: Ladies Auxiliary President Ronda Mendez and Mayor Gwen Faison. Below right: SAL Dave Mendez pitches in.
Officers
| Officer | Role |
|---|---|
| Joseph Viggiano | Commander |
| Joseph Viggiano | First Vice Commander |
| Jesse Lawrence | Second Vice Commander |
| William Wiltsey | Finance Officer |
| Luther Long | Adjutant |
| Phil Cohen | Service Officer |
| — | Historian |
| — | Chaplain |
| Clifton Gould | Sergeant-at-Arms |
Our Post Home
Post 274 home at 1944 South Broadway, Camden NJ.
Our Post Home at one time housed the locker, shower, and changing rooms for the employees of the Camden Brewery, owned and operated by F.A. Poth & Sons, which was located a block to the east of our location on 6th Streets. Our Post Home is the last physical evidence that the brewery existed in Camden.
The Camden Brewery, F.A. Poth & Sons — which once operated a block east of the Post 274 building.
8th Ward World War II Memorial
The idea to erect the monument on our grounds was brought to reality shortly after the end of World War II. Twenty-four men from what was then the 8th Ward of the City of Camden, New Jersey who gave their lives in the service of America are honored here, as well as every man and woman who served during World War II in the Army, Army Air Force, Navy, and Marines.
8th Ward World War II War Memorial — see the link for more about the monument and those honored on it.
HMT Rohna — The Forgotten Tragedy
In February of 2002, one of our members, while researching the identities of those honored on our monument who made the supreme sacrifice, discovered that of the twenty-four men named, three were members of the same unit and were lost on the same day in November of 1943. Further investigation revealed that a total of 20 men from South Jersey were among the 1,015 American soldiers lost when the troop transport HMT Rohna was sunk by a German guided missile. Due to wartime secrecy, their story was never told, and their families were never informed of the truth of their son’s fate.
Named: Phil Cohen & Debbie Williams presenting a book concerning the Rohna Memorial Ceremony to 2001, 2002 Camden County Commander Victor Lofland, Department Executive Committeeman Sean McCormack. 2002, and 2003 Camden County Commander Ray Goss in background..
Post 274 — Our History
By Phil Cohen
Post 274 was originally chartered as the George M. Booz Post 274, after World War I. Our post originally met at 6th and Viola Streets. Around 1940 the Post acquired the building at 1944 Broadway, which at one time was known as Croker’s Tammany House, and more recently had been owned and operated by Constantino and Mamie Piraine.
Camden Courier-Post, June 1938:
George W. Booz Post No. 274, Camden — The regular monthly meeting will be held in the post home, Sixth and Viola streets, on Monday night, Commander Vince Buttari commanding.
Legionnaires Mass Colors at Locustwood Memorial Exercises — 1938 Memorial Day Services at Locustwood Burial Park, Delaware Township NJ.
In November of 1951, Post 274 changed its name to Memorial Post 274.
This is our charter, issued when the Post was renamed Memorial Post 274 in November 1951.
Antics at the Post — July 16, 1942
After a party at the Post on July 15, 1942, an unusual event occurred. Read the full story.
Legion Cash
Camden Courier-Post —
LEGION CASH — Dominick LaRocca, center, is the first of approximately 50 sons and daughters of members of the George W. Booz Post, No. 274, American Legion, to receive a $10.00 cash donation from the organization. Others shown in the photo are, left to right, Santo Barbarosso, finance officer, and Luca Melchiore.
LaRocca, of 2000 Broadway, stationed at Fort Adams RI, has been in the service 17 months, and received the money at ceremonies in the Legion home, 1944 Broadway. He is on a 12-day furlough. Berardo D. Rovere, commander, said, “the gifts are the post’s way of showing the sons and daughters of our members that they have not been forgotten.”
Use of 8th Ward Memorial Ground Sought by Rector as Play Yard
Camden Courier-Post —
“Just What They Needed” said the Rev. Ward R. Smith as he watched boys from the neighborhood of Fourth and Viola streets playing football on a plot of city owned ground adjacent to the Church of Our Saviour. The youngsters are members of a boys club started by the Rev. Mr. Smith when they had no other place to play except in the basement of his church. The city cleaned off a section of the ground which contains a memorial to veterans of World War II so the children could play.
Camden Courier-Post, November 6, 1947.
Legion Post Holds Dance Here Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
George W. Booz Post, American Legion, will hold a dance tonight at the Legion hall, 1944 Broadway, proceeds of which will go to the sons of members in the armed forces.
Berado Rever is post commander, while Santo Barbarosso is chairman of tonight’s affair and is assisted by Giard Bendetto, James McKeown, Sr., and Frank Annibale. Ted Mendel’s orchestra will furnish the music, with Roxy Gimello as the featured entertainer.
Antics at the Post — Memorial Day 1948
After Memorial Day 1948, a dispute over honoring deceased war heroes at Post 274 led to a brawl and court appearances. Read the full story.
Memorial Day 1988
Memorial Day 1988 — Post 274, Camden NJ.