Camp Merritt Post 21

Camp Merritt Post 21

Newsletter - January 2023

First, we wish all of you a Happy New Year with the hopes that we will be returning to a normal life style.  Our apologies for becoming somewhat tardy in informing you of things going on around our post the past two years, Covid might be the cause of it. 

One new item for the New Year we have chosen is to change the Legion General meeting date from a Tuesday to WEDNESDAY maintaining the Third week meeting night.  Hopefully, this will not be a problem, but we think it may allow more members to attend our meetings.  Our next meeting will be Wednesday, February 28, 2023.

We have been receiving inquires for hall rentals, as of now we have some bookings for March, May, June and July.

We now have Cub Scout troop 121 under our post.  They will be using our hall for their meetings on Wednesday evening (not the same night as our legion meetings).

We have started to plan events for us:

March 11th   7-11 pm    we have the Party of Five singing 50’s 60’s and 70’s songs.  One of the group is a Post 21 member.  At a reasonable cost of $20 per person, Cash Bar.  Bring your own charcuterie delights.  We will have chips and pretzels on each table.  We are considering a dance night with the Party of Five in the future.  We will explore this if the interest is there.

March 12th Bergenfield St Patrick’s Day Parade we will be serving Corned beef Sandwiches.

June 9th from 7-11pm Mikes Poker tournament for our post fundraiser.  Please tell all your serious poker players.  Another is planned for September 16th.

We will be planning other events, before you ask breakfasts are on our list.  Unfortunately, we cannot maintain the $7.00 all you can eat.  The price will be increased, and the second meal will be at half price.  As you all are aware the cost of eggs, bacon, etc. has drastically increased.  We will do our best to make the price fair when the time comes.  So no, I don’t know when we will start.

You might have noticed some new cars parked in our parking lot.  This is due to us having rented six parking spaces on the side of the electronic signs to New Pop Culture Productions for 6 days per week at a cost of $500 per month.  Except for January $250, since they started in the middle of the month.  They are producing a reality show in Cresskill.

To Increase our internet visibility we added Google search engine optimization across all Google platforms at a cost of $399 onetime payment.  We will be monitoring it to see if helps us.

Our post is helping the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 32, in Bergenfield with fundraising to purchase a new van to transport veterans from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and DAV organizations to Hackensack and East Orange VAs for medical appointments.  The amount we are aiming for is $19,000.  The Columbia Trust organization, a part of the DAV’s National Service Foundation, which supports DAV service programs, will match the amount we collect.  If you wish to donate, please make checks payable to:

American Legion Post 21.  In the memo column, please indicate “DAV VAN”.  Remember Post 21 is a 501©3 Organization.

 

We have been busy; here are some of the events we participated in:

 

                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

Cresskill PD PBA 180. Lt. Jeremy Luciano and Shawn T. Cole

An Excellent job by Lt. Luciano and the Cresskill Police Department, in keeping this tradition going, making children happy.  The picture below is the result of the efforts of Lt. Jeremy, our post and many others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Police Chief James Domville

 Along with John Leonessa, Sal Rizzo, Phil Noberini, Juan Carlos Marti, Dick Moloney and Joe Cutolo

Attended
The Bergen County Police Chiefs Foundation

 

Juan Carlos Marti and his sons Ryan and Anthony nice to have them join us John Leonessa, Sal Rizzo, Phil Noberini, and Dick Moloney

 

 

 

This will become an annual event held by Bergen County Police Chiefs Foundation

After the ceremony at the Paramus Veterans Home the wreath was taken to Cresskill Veterans Park

  For a short ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to CPD Honor Guard Ptl. Joshua Basket, Ptl. Andrew Vigorita and Chief James Domville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As in previous years, we have sent 30 wreaths at Christmas to Arlington Cemetery and one to my home to be placed on our Medal of Honor recipient Nick Oresko grave at Washington Cemetery in Paramus.  I will add in our bi Laws this is to be continued as long as our post exists.