F.W. GRIGG AMERICAN LEGION POST 68 - Mercntville NJ - Pennauken NJ

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
MAY 25, 2009
WELLWOOD MEMORIAL PARK

F.W. GRIGG POST #68
THE AMERICAN LEGION MERCHANTVILLE, NEW JERSEY

PROGRAM FOR THE DAY

OUR MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN WHO GAVE OF THEMSELVES TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY WHEN AND WHENEVER THE NEED AROSE. WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO PRAYERFULLY WAITED FOR THEIR LOVED ONES DURING THOSE TIMES.

1. Color Guard - Boy Scout Troop #119 - TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH.
2. Opening remarks by Barney Vellutello, Chairman of Memorial Day Committee
3. Legionnaire Prayer by Barney Vellutello, Post #68 Chaplain
4. National Anthem by Matthew Kauffman, Director of Pennsauken Double Dozen
5. Pledge of Allegiance by Bernard Henderson, Commander Post #68
6. Welcome to Merchantville Borough by Mr. Shawn Waldron
7. "Marine Hymn" by the Pennsauken HS Double Dozen
8. Guest Speaker - Marine Sgt. Matt Bailey - served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
9. Memorial Day Comments by Barney Vellutello
10. Roll Call of Post #68 members who have passed on to Post Everlasting since last Memorial Day by Bob Disch, Commander:

Roland Bittle - Walter Carson - Armand Damiani - Anthony Repice
Joseph Siano - Alfred Tornari - Leonard Tomassone

11. TAPS by Frank Cuccio- Veterans hand salute.
12. Musical Selection by Frank Cuccio
13. Placing of the Wreaths at WWI and WWII Monuments
14. Musical Selections by Pennsauken High School Double Dozen finishing with "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" Everyone please join hands.
15. Light Refreshments will be served after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Thank you for attending. God Bless you.

WREATH CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS

ORGANIZATION

PERSON PLACING WREATH

Borough of Merchantville

Mr. Shawn Waldron, Borough Council

Merchantville Historical Society

Mrs. Maureen McLoone

Merchantville Women's Club

Mrs. Geri Tabako, President

Merchantville Board of Education

Mrs. Sharon Stine, President

Merchantville Lions Club

Mr. Jeffrey Brown, President

Merchantville Democratic Club

Mr. Joseph Brickley

Merchantville Republican Club

Mr. Bob Disch, President

Merchantville EMS

Mrs. Donna Chester, President

Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission

Mr. Bernhard Kofoet, President

Knights of Columbus #6735,
St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church

Mr. Reese DeFeo, Grand Knight

Pennsauken Lions Club

Mr. Nicholas Rossi, Jr., Past District Governor

Pennsauken Historical Society

Mr. John Weber, Chairman House And Grounds

Niagara Fire Company

Mr. Bill Metzler and Mr. Kevin Patti

F.W. Grigg Post #68

Mr. Bob Disch, Past Commander

Special Thanks To:

Mr. Robert Hermanns	Sound System & Bell
Frank Cuccio	TAPS and Music Selections
Mr. Matthew Kauffman	The National Anthem and Direction of Pennsauken High School Double Dozen
Pennsauken High School Double Dozen	Patriotic Musical Selections
Shawn Waldron	Boy Scout Troop #119 and Members of 8th Grade Class of Merchantville School

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CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS PLOT City of Camden Records
1888	Mar	2	Rings, John R	54y	Gr2
1888		26	Scroggy, Hugh	60	Gr 2
1888		29	Rhodes, Samuel	47	Gr3
1888		10	Ke?r, James		Gr 13
1888	Oct	7	Green, Andrew	38	Gr 13 R 4
1888	Nov	16	Walsh, Richard	73	Gr 13 R 5
1888	Dec	24	Kay, Jacob M	50	Gr 13 R 6
1889	Jan	30	Stewart, John	46y	Gr 13 R 7
1889	Apr	9	Gillan, William	76y	Gr 13 R 8
1889	Aug	30	Anderson, John	61y	Gr 13 R 9
1889	Sep	29	Malone, William J	32y	Gr 13 R 10
1889	Dec	12	Harlow, Thomas	55y	Gr 13 R 12
1890	Feb	27	Stow, John C	51y	Gr 13 R 13
1890	Feb	18	Neuman, Thomas	48y	Gr12R12
1890	May	23	Blake, Joseph	42y	Gr13R15
1890	Jul	23	Hammell, Simian	65y	Gr 13 R 16
1890	Sep	24	Drufous, Jacob	54y	Row 2 #1
1890		5	Liner, Washington	69y	Row 2 #2
1890		5	Gressett, William	35y	Row 2 #3
1891			Wilson, John C	47y	Gr 5 R2
1891			Hefferman, Wm	55y	Gr 6 R 2
1891			Crispin, Reston L	72y	Gr 7 R 2
1891			Mahan, Eli	72	Gr 8 R 10
1891			Luke, Joseph	60y	Gr 9 R 2
1891			Stauton, James A	57y	Gr 10 R 2
1891		11	Croaks, John	57y	Gr 11 R 2
1891		27	Rabb, Amos S	52y	Gr 14
1891	Feb	3	Hileman, Frederick	59y	Gr 11 R1
1891	Feb	26	Capewell, Charles B	52y	Gr 13 R 2
1891	Apr	19	Anders, Carl R	74y	Gr 2 R 3
1891	May	25	Pierce, Henry	59y	Gr 14 R 2

SOLDIERS ROW
BUFFETTA, LEONARD	GRAVE 22
JOHNSON, EVERETT	7-18-57 GRAVE 23
HINKLE, MAX	8-15-57 GRAVE 24
HENKLE, HERBERT	4-28-59 GRAVE 25
JERNIGAN, LEONARD	8-10-59 GRAVE 26
PIERCE, ELLSWORTH	6-5-64 GRAVE 27
WILLIAMS, JOSEPH	6-29-64 GRAVE 28
ELKINS, JAMES	11-25-64 GRAVE 29
HARRIS, JOHN	5-15-65 GRAVE 30
SALES, FRED	2-11-66 GRAVE 31
HUNTER, ARMIE JAMES	2-25-66 GRAVE 32
JASETH, PITTMAN	2-26-66-GRA VE 33
EPPS, THOMAS	3-12-66 GRAVE 34
ENGLISH, DAVID	5-29-66 GRAVE 35
MASSEY, HARRY	4-22-66 GRAVE 36
JACOBS, EDWARD	4-28-66 GRAVE 37
THOMAS, EDDIE	4-29-66 GRAVE 38
RICHARDSON, JOHN	5-25-66 GRAVE 39
HAMMOND, GEORGE	6-4-88 GRAVE 40
CRAWFORD, GEORGE	8-2-66 GRAVE 41
GRANT, LEE	8-18-66 GRAVE 42
GIBSON, BERNARD	8-26-66 GRAVE 43
NUGENT, JOHN	8-27-66 GRAVE 44
LEE, SYLVESTER	9-24-66 GRAVE 45
JONES, WAYMAN	10-18-66 GRAVE 46
GLAND, EDWIN	10-14-66 GRANE 47
MC CAULEY, WILBURN	10-18-66 GRAVE 48
REED, JOHN	11-29-66-GRA VE 49
BROWN, JOSEPH	12-19-66 GRAVE 50
CURRIE, WILFORD	2-10-67 GRAVE 51
PRUITT, CHARLES	2-13-67 GRAVE 52
GOLDSBORO, STEVEN	2-18-67 GRAVE 53
SHOCKLEY, CHARLES	2-20-67 GRAVE 54
HIGHTOWER, EMMIT	3-13-67 GRAVE 55
GAY, CHARLES W	8-28-68 GRAVE 27
SPERLING, CHARLES W	F-406-2-9-2-68

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Jordantown and Its Cemetery

by Paul W. Schopp

Originally located on the road leading from Merchantville to Fork Landing (known today as Park Avenue), surveyors laid out the small settlement of Jordantown in town plots on former Rudderow land during 1840. Among the oldest antebellum African-American communities in Camden County, it developed around a camp meeting (or “bush meeting”) site. Evangelistic gatherings at this camp ground first began in the 1830s. The meetings were held in the groves where the underbrush had been removed. Various possible derivations exist for the name “Jordantown,” but the most plausible one stems from the old Negro Spiritual accolades of the River Jordan.

Traveling along Park Avenue in 1846, one would have found five or six dwellings and an African Methodist Episcopal Church for the residents of the area. The community grew slowly, but by 1885, the village consisted of a large grouping of homes, Bethel African Methodist Church,

and a school house. Today, the village extends along Park Avenue as well as along Haddonfield-Sorrel Horse Road.

Tucked behind the former Grossman Lumber Co. store (now Christ’s Bible Church) is a cemetery known variously as Jordan (or Jordon) Lawn, Jordantown or St. Martin’s Cemetery. It is unclear when this cemetery was first established, but it probably dates to the 1840s, the earliest period of settlement for Jordantown. Among its graves are 38 veterans from the Civil War. Veterans from other wars are also buried here. All of these men survived their battles and died of natural causes in later years.

Most of the Civil War veterans were Privates in various infantry companies and regiments of the United States Colored Troops. Joining the ranks of the Colored Troops was not a simple matter, since New Jersey failed to raise any regiments for the U.S.C.T. The men traveled to Pennsylvania and joined the 22nd, 24th, and 25th Regiments; they received training at Camp William Penn in Cheltenham Township, outside of Philadelphia. Only one of the veterans buried at Jordantown served with New Jersey troops. He was Private Charles Amos, assigned to Company C, 3rd Regiment, of the New Jersey Calvary. Another veteran interred here, John W. Gaines, served with Company F of the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This company was part of the first black regiment recruited in the North. This regiment, whose story moviemakers told in a made-for-television movie several years ago, participated in battles at James Island, Fort Wagner, Honey Hill, and Boykins Mill, all in South Carolina.

The highest rank achieved among the men buried in Jordantown belonged to Benjamin J. Collins, who served as a First Sergeant in Company I, 22nd Regiment of the U.S.C.T. Sgt. Collins served from January 1864 until October 1865. Battles fought by the 22nd Regiment all took place in Virginia and included Chapin Farms, Dutch Gap, Fair Oaks, New Market Heights and the siege of Petersburg.

Other veterans buried in this hallowed ground served in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War aboard the monitor U.S.S. Montauk and the schooner gunboat U.S.S. Unadilla. Thomas Nicholas and Augustus Wescott served as Landsmen on the screw steamer U.S.S. Princeton, a supply vessel. A Landsman held a rank below an Ordinary Seaman.

Most of the veterans have U.S. Government-supplied grave markers. The Grand Army of the Republic placed one of its stones on the grave of Henry Amos. Henry had served as a Private in Company C of the 42nd Regiment of the U.S.C.T. Some of the non-veteran tombstones are “homemade” markers William Collins manufactured. Fabricated for friends and loved-ones from marble dust and cement, these stones cost a fraction of commercially available gravemakrers, making them much less expensive for area residents to purchase.

For many years Pennsauken Township Public Works cared for the Jordantown Cemetery. However, in 1971, the township deeded the burial ground to Bethel A.M.E. Church for $1.00. Bethel’s elders had a difficult time maintaining the grounds and turned again to the township for assistance. In the late 1980s, Robert Ferguson of Philadelphia became an advocate for properly maintaining the 1.85-acre burial ground. He recognized that the cemetery contained the remains of patriots and they deserved all the respect the community could provide.

It is currently unknown by this writer whether Mr. Ferguson remains active at the site. But his message continues to be of utmost importance. If we do not respect the hallowed ground in which our veterans are interred, the very men who offered their lives to defend and protect America, will we be able to maintain the liberty they purchased for us with their blood? This sacred and historic site must be preserved to educate future generations on the course traveled by the United States and its people.

We Salute or Comrades Who Have Gone to Post Everlasting 2008-2009

Armond Damiani

Damiani, Armond N.

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. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing and funeral Friday morning after 8:30 AM in the ALLOWAY FUNERAL HOME 315 E. Maple Ave. Merchantville NJ. Funeral Mass 10:00 AM St. Peter Church Merchantville NJ. Interment Calvary Cemetery.

Roland Bittle

Bittle Sr., Roland S.

Age 86 of Hainesport passed away Tuesday May 20 2008 at Lourdes Speciality 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 Merchantvlle the New Jersey Polio Network and the DAV. He enjoyed boating fishing and camping with family. Despite many obstacles throughout his long and eventful life he faced each day with unwavering courage cheerful optimism and a caring spirit and was much loved and admired by family friends and even casual acquaintances. Roland is survived by his wife of 54 years Erika his son Roland Jr. and wife Donna son Richard and fiancee Dorothy Wells daughter Merrilee Torres and husband Ricardo; three grandsons Jayme Torres and Steven and Andrew Bittle; his sister-in-law Eleanor Flynn; four nieces Karen Canfield Michelle Fisher Barbara McKee and Virginia Jock; six nephews Elmer Clifton Robert Gary and Marvin Bittle as well as nineteen grandnieces and grandnephews; and several great-grandnieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday May 23 2008 11AM at THE LANKENAU FUNERAL HOME 31 Elizabeth St. Pemberton Borough. Interment with military honors will be Odd Fellows Cemetery Pemberton Borough. There will be a viewing and visitation 7:00 to 9:00 PM Thursday eve and 10:00 to 11:00 AM Friday at the funeral home.

Leonard L. Tomassone

Tomassone, Leonard L.

On August 18 2008. Age 88. Of Mt. Laurel NJ. Beloved husband of 62 years to Edith(nee Cataldi). Devoted of father Laura and her husband Bob Rogers. Loving grandfather of Cynthia Amy and Matthew Rogers. Dear brother of Theresa and her husband Frank Marcellino. Leonard will also be missed by many loving cousins nieces and nephews. 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. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Thursday August 21st from 7-9 PM and 8:15-9:15 AM at the BRADLEY FUNERAL HOME Rt.73 and Evesham Rd. Marlton NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10AM Friday at The Catholic Church of St. Isaac Jogues 3 Lord Place Marlton NJ 08053. Interment Brigadier William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery Wrightstown NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul (SVDP) Conference of St. Isaac Jogues Church or the St. Isaac Jogues Building Fund.

Anthony Repice

Repice Sr., Anthony

On September 12th 2008 age 92 years of Merchantville NJ. He was born in Philadelphia PA. Beloved husband of the late Louise (nee Cirucci) Repice. Dear father of Anthony (Marian) Repice of Marlton NJ; Maryann (Marty) Repice of Burlington Township NJ; and Lorraine (Chuck) Corson of Cherry Hill NJ. Loving grandfather of Chad (Valentina); the late Jon and Stephen (Jen) and loving great grandfather of Ana Maria. 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. He was a long time member of the Merchantville Lions Club. He was very active in his community over the years; was a member of The Merchantville Republican Club The Merchant-ville Historical Society The Merchantville Planning Board the AARP The Jets and the Pioneers. His Viewing and Family Visitation will begin 9:30am Wednesday at St. Peter's RC Church 43 West Maple Avenue Merchantville NJ followed by his Mass in celebration of his life. No evening viewing or visitation. Interment Calvary Cemetery Cherry Hill NJ. Arrangements under the direction of The STEPHENSON-BROWN FUNERAL HOME of Merchantville NJ.

Alfred Tornari

Tornari, Alfred J.

TORNARI, Alfred J. On Jan. 30, 2009, age 84, of Pennsauken NJ. Beloved husband of Angela (nee Iula) for 60 years and devoted father of Mark, Steven(Tammy) and Deborah (Richard) Harrell. Loving grandfather of Michelle (Rudy), Steven (Donna), Jessica (Tim), Keith (Fallon), Steven Jr., Nicole, Kayla, Angelina and 7 great-grandchildren. Alfred was a WW II Navy Veteran serving on the U.S.S. Delta, loyal parishioner and usher of St. Peter Church for 59 years, St. Peter K of C # 6735, Bishop McCarthy Assembly and F.W. Grigg American Legion Post 68. Relatives and friends of the family are kindly invited to attend his Visitation Wednesday 8:30-9:30 AM at the FUNERAL HOME OF INGLESBY & SONS, 2426 Cove Road. Pennsauken NJ 08109. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM St. Peter's Church Ent. Calvary Mausoleum.

Joseph A. Siano

Siano, Joseph A.

On December 1 2008 of Pennsauken NJ for 50 years. Age 88. Beloved husband of the late Kathryn (nee Lenart). Devoted father of Joseph A.M. Siano and his wife Susan. Loving grandfather of Louis and Douglas. Dear brother of Margaret Agnoni Adeline Valenti and Roslyn Galasso. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Prior to retirement Mr. Siano was employed at Penn Panel & Box Company in Collingdale PA for over 40 years. 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. He was also an usher at St. Stephen's Church. Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation and Funeral on Thursday from 7-9 PM at the FALCO/CARUSO & LEONARD PENNSAU- KEN FUNERAL HOME 6600 N. Browning Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM at the Church of St. Stephen 6300 Browning Rd. in Pennsauken. Interment Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Mem. Cem. in Arneytown NJ. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society P.O. Box 5147 Trenton NJ 08638-0147.

Walter Carson

Carson Sr., Walter M.

CARSON, Walter M., Sr. On February 2, 2009, age 85, of Pennsauken for 31 years. Beloved husband of Dorinda (nee Todd) and dear father of Rindy (Bill) Seniff of Maple Shade, Bud (Susan) Carson of Stratford and Cheri (John) Connelly of Pennsauken. Loving pop of Kim, Dan, Rob, Kristen, John, Tayler and Colleen. Mr. Carson was a kind gentle man who loved his family and his church. He was a member of Calvary Community Baptist Church, a Navy WW II Veteran, serving on the USS Waterman DE and a member of F.W. Griggs American Legion Post # 88. Relatives and friends of the family are kindly invited to attend his Visitation Thursday 10-11AM AM at the FUNERAL HOME OF INGLESBY & SONS, 2426 Cove Road. Pennsauken NJ 08109. Funeral Service 11 AM. Interment Bethel Memorial Park, Pennsauken NJ. In lieu of flowers donations to the Church at 1706 Merchantville Ave. Pennsauken NJ 08110 preferred.

AMERICAN LEGION LINKS
The American Legion
American Legion Department of New Jersey
Camden County Posts
Haddonfield Memorial Post 38 Haddonfield NJ	Stetser-Lamartine Post 281 Glendora NJ
Cherry Hill Post 372 Cherry Hill NJ	Memorial Post 274 Camden NJ (Inactive)

Of Local Interest
Camden County NJ - Monuments & War Memorials
Merchantville, New Jersey War Memorial
Camden County War Dead Index

PFC Giordano Detachment, Military Support Group of New Jersey