Camden Courier-Post - October 29, 1951

518 TO MARK 30TH BIRTHDAY SATURDAY

Corporal Mathews-Purnell Post No. 518 will celebrate its 30th anniversary at a dinner with the Ladies Auxiliary in the parish hall of the St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, River Avenue and Twenty-eighth Street, Saturday, at 7 p, m. This will be the 29th anniversary for the auxiliary. 

The Rev. William J. O'Rourke will give the invocation, the Rev. Warren G. Jennings will say grace and Rabbi Max Weine the benediction.

Eleven Gold Star Mothers will be honored guests of Commander Irving J. Stiefel. They are Mrs. Ada Mathews, Mrs. Katherine Corbett, Mrs. Marie Hunt, Mrs. Catherine Cahill, Mrs. Harry Maisch, Mrs. Joseph Selah, Mrs. Walter Haines, Mrs. Charles Reynolds, Mrs. John Peterson, Mrs. John A. Gorman, and Mrs. Mary Simpson.

Other invited guests are Congressman Wolverton, Mrs. Alice Trimble, department senior vice president, Ladies Auxiliary; Mrs. Florence E. Stark, past national president; Mrs. Mary Norcross, Seventh District president; Mrs. Victoria Nicktern , president of the 5108 auxiliary; Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Ryan; Mrs. John J. Tischner; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Meade, Mrs. Herbert L. Stool man, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Pfrommer, Mrs. George Clymer, Mrs. Fiore Malacrea, Mrs. Warren G. Jennings, Mrs. Max Weine, Albert J. Gifford, past commander, Camden county council; Alvah S. Ward, department chief of staff; County Commander Schuler; Southern area membership chairman, and many others. 

The toastmaster will be Stoolman. Michael Mungioli is banquet chairman, and Mrs. Carrie R. Bean, past department president,  co-chairman. They will be assisted by Mrs. Victoria Nicktern, president of the 518 auxiliary; Mrs. Beatrice Fredericks, decorations; Mrs. Esther Rowan, Edna Weaver and Mrs. Theresa Mungioli, recreation, and Orris Smith, program. 

At a meeting of the post at 2712 Hayes Avenue; Stiefel welcomed two new members, Robert C. Barr, who served in the army, and Gordon Kraft, navy, in World War II. Steve Walter reported that Otto Self is ill in the Philadelphia Naval hospital. Joseph Hasher reported Edward Bossett was in Cooper hospital and doing nicely. He is in room 14.

At the entertainment last Saturday night, with "Big Time" Charlie Crane as master of ceremonies, the following sang: Dot Flanigan, "Sweetheart" of 518; Fred Falkerberger; Ann Flanigan, "Singing Waitress"; Lois "Singing Cow Girl," and Mike "Medals" Mungioli..

Camden Courier-Post - November 1951

MATHEWS-PURNELL POST 518 met at 2712 Hayes avenue. Commander Irving L. Stiefel welcomed two members, Robert C. Barr and Charles E. Wilson, both veterans of War II. 

Bernard Brown reported that Edward Bossett who underwent three operations in Cooper hospital, was improving at home. Chester Knaub Sr. reported Robert Louis was ill in Cooper hospital. Robert Morgandale reported that the Last Man's club of War II was progressing and will 
make a report later. 

After the meeting, a buffet luncheon was sponsored by Commander Steifel in honor of the past commanders and officers of the post and the auxiliary. One hundred and twenty-five members and visitors attended. Among the guests were Mabel Dukes, District Chief Edgar R. Ellender of the Camden fire department, and William E. Hilbmann, who was introduced as the public relations officer of Camden county council. Steifel presented Hilbmann with a pot of flowers. 

Hilbmann responded with a few remarks and said he could look back to 30 years ago when John C. Stroud and Raymond G. Price stopped at his house and suggested of the formation of a VFW post in Cramer Hill. "The go ahead sign was given and here's what you see today, one of the finest and best VFW posts in the whole state," Hilbmann said.

Steifel thanked the hosts for their services. They are past presidents of the 518 auxiliary, Mrs. Elizabeth Knaub, Mrs. Ruth Ibes, Mrs. Esther Rowand, Mrs. Margaret Worrell, Mrs. Edna Weaver, Mrs. Beatrice Frederick and Mrs. Etta Papycik. Also introduced were Past Post Commanders Chester Knaub Sr., Peter Winters Sr., Michael Mungioli, William S. Mountney Sr., 
Stephen L. Walter and Alvah S. Ward. Other post officers introduced were Orris Smith Sr., vice-commander; Robert Cornog Jr., vice commander; Chester Knaub Sr., quartermaster; Buroughs Messick, adjutant; Stephen L. Walter, chaplain; Joseph Hasher, public relations.

Others present were Chester Knaub Jr., John Morgandale, William Moutney Jr., Frederick Sauers, James Flanigan Sr. and James Flanigan Jr. 
Auxiliary officers were Mrs. Victoria Nicktern, president; Mary Clifford, Senior vice president; Mrs. Betty Horner, junior vice president; Mrs. Ruth Ibe, secretary; Mrs. Etta Papaycik, chaplain; Mrs. Filomena, conductress, and Mrs. Anna Mathews, Mrs. Edna Flanigan and Mrs. Millie Pettit, guards.