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AMERICAN LEGION |
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AMERICAN LEGION |
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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. Please e-mail me with any comments or questions. Phil
Cohen |
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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 out 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. If there is anything you would like to comment on, or to get in touch with us by e-mail, please feel free to e-mail us at AmericanLegion274@hotmail.com
Postal Mail address: 1944
South Broadway, Camden NJ 08104. |
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Post Meeting Second Tuesday Every Month |
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Beef
& Beer e-mail Phil Cohen at phil552@reagan.com for more information |
| OUR NEW BAR!!!! | |
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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 it 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 | |
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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.
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 stayed at the Cape Cod Inn in Wildwood Crest during convention week. |
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LADIES AUXILIARY EVENTS EVERY MONDAY NIGHT the Ladies are in the kitchen, and they are not playing! Come get your grub on, (that is dine with us to those of you from the suburbs) and support the Ladies Auxiliary in their programs. The $2.00 meals on Monday night is the best deal in the city! |
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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! | |
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In October, Commander Bill Wiiltsey, 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 toiurnament to raise money for Legion projects. |
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| Above, Left to Right: Hector Feliciano, Luther Long, Bill Wiltsey | |
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| SERVING OUR COMMUNITY | |
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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 $3600 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. |
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| Above Left: Jesse and
Dave - Above Right: Jesse, Ricky, and Dave Below: Follow that Ponytail! - Jesse in action! |
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| Click Here for More Pictures of the Diabetes Walk | |
| SERVING OUR COMMUNITY |
| THINK
PINK!
On October 24, 2003 the Lades Auxiliary took to the streets of Cramer Hill as part of their Think Pink campoaign 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 1000 information packets about the disease. Camden Mayor Gwen Faison came out and lent her support to this worth event. |
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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 Right: Mayor Faison and staff Think Pink! |
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| Above Left: Ladies Auxiliary President Ronda Mendez and Mayor Gwen Faison Above Right: SAL Dave Mendez pitches in |
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| Click Here for More Pictures of Think Pink 2003 |
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OUR POST HOME |
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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. |
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Click on the
link above for more about the monument and
those honored on it. |
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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 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 1015 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.
On July
27, 2002 a Memorial Service was held at Memorial Post 274 to recognize
the 20 South Jersey victims lost from the HMT Rohna and their families,
the first such service to be held in New Jersey for these men ever, 59
years after they were lost |
| The
Sinking of HMTS ROHNA A Web Page devoted to those from Camden County and the rest of South Jersey who were lost when the Rohna was sunk. This page is dedicated to these men and their families. |
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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. 2002-2003 Camden County Com- mander Ray Goss in background. |
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POST
274 - OUR HISTORY |
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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 |
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1938
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Camden Courier-Post September 18, 1942 Click on Image to Enlarge |
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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.” |
| Camden Courier-Post * November 6, 1947 | |
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A Dance At The Post Camden Courier-Post April 22, 1948 |
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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. |
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In November of 1951, Post 274 changed its name to Memorial Post 274. This is our charter. Click on the Image to Enlarge |
| Memorial Day 1988 |
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The picture on the left, and the
accompanying text below, were from a World War II era article from the
Camden Courier-Post. By this time we were in our Post home at 1944
Broadway, the corner of Broadway & Jefferson Street.
