September—November 2016 www.ALCH372.com Commander’s Message This is my first activity of the Post, our picnic grove is Sal’s, Auxiliary, Riders and chance to for- like a state park, and some new items Knights, we have a powerful base mally communi- are around the corner. of volunteers. And you deserve the cate with our Thanks to the SAL's our new grill is credit. This is OUR Post home and members as state of the art. The roof is new. The you make it outstanding. I am your new Com- outside of the building just was paint- proud to be your Commander and mander. Let me ed. The Shuffleboard was refinished. with the help of all our elected offi- thank you all for New floor and paint in the smoke cials in all the groups within our the confidence shed. The parking lot will be resur- Post, we will continue to set the you show in me, and I will strive to faced by the time you read this standards for other Post's to meet your expectations. Scoop. The picnic tables will be re- achieve. I have served in the Legion for 29 placed. How did this all happen? You. For God and Country. years and 20 of them as an officer Between the General members, Timothy Kraft—Commander in this post under 4 past Com- manders. Each Commander has shared their expertise with me and I hope to pass on some of mine to the next Commander. A special thanks to our past Commander Bill Quinn. for being my mentor. I'm sure I have been his TOR-mentor at times. My wife and I travel quite a bit, and make it a point to stop at other Legions around the country. If you haven't stopped at other Legions you are missing something. We have one of the most active, friendly, cleanest Posts in the country. Our rental hall is top- notch and a positive source of rev- enue, the Canteen is the center of September—November 2016 Page 2 September—November 2106 Page 11 Showing Support—Veterans and Police On Saturday, September 24th, Philadelphia Police Officer and The Cherry Hill PBA has extended the Cherry Hill PBA Local #176 will Coast Guard veteran, Jesse Hart- an invitation to him to attend the Vet- be hosting a Free Veterans Dinner nett, who was viciously ambushed erans Dinners as well. (Unconfirmed as at the American Legion Post 372. and shot numerous times while in of print date if he will be coming). We are very grateful to the Cherry his police car earlier this year. Hart- These incidents effect all of our Po- Hill Police Officers for thinking of nett was one of lice Officers in probably more pro- us, showing their appreciation for the lucky ones found ways then we can imagine. all our veterans and we thank who came out of it While our veterans face PTSD and them, not only for this dinner, but alive. suicide rates in staggering numbers, for their service as well. please keep our Law Enforcement Unfortunately, our nations Police Officers in your prayers and Officers have been facing a deluge thoughts, as they too deal with some of attacks across our country—a of the same issues. fact we are reminded of in an ever If you are interested in attending the increasing frequency. Ambushes Veterans Dinner, please email call fill the airwaves, funerals too many. Sue at 856-495-7270 or email Some of you will remember read- [email protected]. Seating is lim- ing about and seeing the video of ited and first come first serve. Matthew R. Gaskill, Manager - NJ Lic. No. 4663 33 W. Maple Ave • Merchantville, NJ • 08109 * 856-662-0813 September—November 2016 Page 10 September—November 2016 Page 3 2016 Girls State New Jersey RUN for the FALLEN The New Jersey Run for the Fallen and Sunday of September, they run families of those killed, and to aid Once Again our American Legion Government works. This is ex- is a organization of runners whose across New Jersey to raise aware- in the healing process for the na- Auxiliary was able to sponsor a few tremely important to our young mission is clear and simple: To run ness for the lives of those who fought tive New Jersey residents whose exceptional students to the Girls people to learn for they are our one mile for every New Jersey ser- and died, to rejuvenate their memo- lives have been affected by the State Program. Due to construction future leaders. I am sure these vice member killed in Operation Iraqi ries and keep their spirits alive, to war. at Georgian Court College we were fine young women will be more Freedom, Enduring Freedom and support organizations that aid the Each KIA has a Run Marker only able to send 6 girls this year. aware of the Presidential election New Dawn. Each where family and friends may You cannot imagine how difficult this year and be prepared for their mile of sweat and gather while the run- the process is to start with approxi- chance to make a difference with am sure you will be stellar at whatever pain and each flag ners come by and mately 17 girls from 3 schools and their votes in the coming years. you choose to pursue for a career. saluted, is to pay pay homage to their this year we also had a Home I am sad to say we were not able Who knows maybe in the future you homage to one life and sacrifice. Schooled Junior from our own Unit to send our own Junior Auxiliary will attend the Girls State program as service member’s Join us on Septem- as candidates. All were stellar but member due to a small clerical a counselor? life and their fami- ber 22nd to honor we could only fill our allotted spots. error. Seems she actually Gradu- This program is just one of many im- ly. our fallen heroes. After much conferring we chose 8 ated! the week prior to the pro- portant things we do as Auxiliary The last Thursday, They shall never be girls (2 alternates) for the program. gram from her Junior year of high members. Stop by a meeting some Friday, Saturday forgotten. I am proud to announce from our 6 school. She was surprised to say time and check us out. First Monday at candidates we sent, 4 were chosen the least but felt it was the proper 7:00pm Oct- May weather permitting to offices. Rachael Lim -Assembly thing to remove herself as a can- in the winter. Our September meeting person, Sarah Vesti- Election board, didate at the last minute. Special is the 2nd Monday due to Labor Day. Sofia Benedetto- Senate and Lau- shout out to Jessica Walters who We would like to get to know our ren Flood for City council. Congrats graduated a year early with hon- members. to all of our Girls who were able to ors. How proud you must be of For God and country, experience the program. Girls State your accomplishments. We wish Carol Colucci is a chance to learn how our form of you all the best in your future, I Girls State Chairperson. Cherry Hill West AFJROTC Ceremony 2016 Just prior to 2016 Graduation, Cher- AFJROTC class and who also ry Hill West held their annual ceremo- demonstrated leadership qualities ny for the NJ-781 AFJROTC. The cer- and actively participated in student emony consisted of both National and activities. This year’s award went to local awards. Presenters ranged from Cadet Margaret McCurdy. retired Air Force Command Sergeant The second award was for the Majors to members of the Daughters American Legion General Military of the American Revolution. Post 372 Excellence. The criteria for this was honored to be there to hand out award is: rank in the top 25% of their two awards that evening. AFJROTC class and demonstrates The first award was for the American outstanding qualities in military lead- Legion Scholastic Award. This award ership, discipline, character, and citi- is giving to a cadet who ranked in the zenship. This year’s award went to top 10% of the high school class, who Cadet Daniel Carpenter ranked in the top 25% of their September—November 2016 Page 4 September—November 2016 Page 9 MESSAGE from the SAL COMMANDER Legion Clean-Up & Renovations an awesome grill for our Post. The lazy, hazy, cra- Post over the past two years. Rich The Legion has been undergoing some major upkeep and renovation ! As this Scoop goes to print, we are in Mario Papaneri donated all labor zy days of summer has kept the Legion Family Spirit the middle of repaving the driveway/parking lot. The building has been power washed, repainted, new picnic ta- for the pad, and the SAL team in- are upon us, I hope moving forward and it is my goal to bles, gravel parking area for the Nam Knights trailer, new grill, and major renovation of “Sue’s Office” to name a stalled and mounted the grill. The everyone is enjoy- continue this tradition as Rich and all few things ! Come on out and see all the work we’ve done !! Thanks to all for their help ! ing this beautiful project came in under budget, of our past SAL Commanders have time of the year. It thanks to all of our Legion Family done. I’m also glad Rich is staying has been an active donations, and the grill was official- on as Senior Vice Commander for summer for the Sons of the Ameri- ly christened (baptism by fire!) at the SALs! can Legion.