Organized in the years after World War I, Camden Post #980 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was on of many veterans clubs that flourished in the city over the years, beginning after the Civil War, a few being still active as of this writing.

In its early years the Post was located at 308 Broadway. 308 and 310 Broadway were in those years owned by the city. 310 Broadway was the home of the August F. Walter Chapter No.4 of the Disabled American Veterans. 308-310 Broadway had been built by and was the home of Camden real estate developer and builder George Holl, who had passed away in 1912. In 1921 the City of Camden spent $50,000 to provide the quarters for the two groups. By 1936 the building  were in disrepair, and the city, in such bad financial shape brought on by the Depression that it was paying bills in scrip, made moves to dispose of the properties. Post 980 and August Waklters Post 4 of the Disabled American Veterans used 308-310 Broadway until 1951, when the city finally forced relocation by putting the buildings up for sale. Post 980 relocated to 61 South 6th Street and stayed there until 1965, when it moved to 216 Broadway. 

Post 980 was very active in the 1920s and 1930s. Many of Camden's leading citizens were either members or participated in the Post's activities. The Post often used the facilities of Camden Lodge 293, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks hall on Cooper Street at North 7th Street for its larger events.

When the post applied for its liquor license renewal in 1967, the officers were as follows:

The Post was still active at the Broadway address as late as October of 1970, as it is listed in the New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory published at that time, and was still active at that address, although without a telephone, in 1977. The Ladies Auxiliary was active into the 1980s and helped get the Camden County War monument rededicated to include Korean War and Vietnam War casualties in 1984. Post 980 was another social institution that fell victim to growing social chaos that was overtaking Camden in those years, the riots being only a symptom of the greater cancer.

In 2018 there were five veterans groups with Camden addresses, however, only three are at all active. In 2018 only one appears to still exist. It seems likely that all will be gone by the end of the decade, a sad, sad end to one of Camden's proudest chapters.

Broadway
North of Benson to Mickle Street
1915

308-310 Broadway, built by and lived in by George Holl, is the large house with the yard at the corner of Broadway & Benson. Post 980 was located here from 1921 through at least 1936.

Camden Courier-Post - January 20, 1928

GOLD STAR MOTHERS TO ATTEND FOREIGN WAR VETERAN’S BALL

Gold Star Mothers will be the honor guests at the first annual military ball of the Camden Post, No. 980, Veterans of Foreign Wars, to be held on Friday evening, February 3, in the Elks ballroom, Seventh and Cooper Streets.

Elaborate plans for this ball are under the chairmanship of John S. Pennington.

Invitations have been issued for patrons and patronesses and the list will be announced early next week.

Gold Star Mothers to attend the affair are Mrs. C. Alberger, Mrs. Harriett Ablett, Mrs. Laura Brown. Mrs. A. Crangel, Mrs. A. Cassidey, Mrs. R. Dilks, Mrs. Kate Geist, Mrs. M. Griffen, Mrs. Horace B. Keebler, Mrs. H. Kirk, Mrs. Ross Leahy, Mrs. M. A. Matson, Mrs. M. McGuckin, Mrs. Mary Martin, Mrs. M. Matthews, Mrs. Cooling Pond, Mrs. Oliver Powell*, Mrs. Mary Pennington, Mrs. C. Rolk, Mrs. E. Simons, Mrs. Mary Schucker, Mrs. Margaret Steigerwald, Mrs. Annie Taylor, Mrs. M. Osborn, Mrs. Mary Keegan, Mrs. Anna Kennedy, Mrs. T.C. Young and Mrs. Walters.

Assisting Mr. Pennington in planning this ball are John Rouh, James W. Connor, Charles Bozian, Robert MacMahon, Edward Watson, David Lukoff, Harry Laxton, Edward A. Stark, George Jones, William V. Long, Joseph Keefe, Charles Blank sad Marvel Passwater.

* Newspaper error- Mrs. Oliver Powell was actually Mrs. Oliver Purnell

Camden Courier-Post - January 28, 1928

Patrons, Patronesses Announced Today for First Military Ball

Patrons and patronesses for the first military ball of the Camden Post No. 980, Veterans of Foreign Wars, to be held on Friday evening February 3 in the Elks auditorium, Seventh and Cooper Streets., are announced today.

The following prominent men and women are listed: Mrs. J.W. Connor, Miss C.M. Day, Mrs. J.H. Forsyth, Mrs. H.J. Goodyear, Miss B. Graham, Mrs. R.E. Green, Mrs. E.F. Haines, Mrs. J. Hood Jr., Mrs. W. Hurley, Mrs. J. Jarrell, Mrs. T. Keefe, Mrs. J.F. Kobus, Mrs. L. Liberman, Mrs. F.L. Lloyd, Mrs. M.A. Logan, Mrs. T.P. McConaghy, Mrs. F.F. Neutze, Mrs. L.K. Marr, Mrs. J.A. Pennington, Mrs. M.E. Ramsey, Mrs. E. Truax, Mrs. S.M. Shay, Mrs. W.J. Staats, Mrs. B.G. Tarburton, Mrs. R.W. Waddell, Mrs. E. Watson, Mrs. E.P. Wescott, Mrs. C.A. Wolverton. 

David Baird Jr., William T. Boyle, Isaac Ferris, William Hurley, John Hood Jr., John Jarrell, Victor King, William J. Kraft, Thomas Keefe, Joseph F. Kobus, Hon. Edmund B. Leaming, Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, James H. Long, L.K. Marr, Dr. Thomas P. McConaghy, Hon. Frank F. Neutze, Samuel P. Orlando, Albert E. Simmons, Edwin Watson, Ethan P. Wescott.

Camden Courier-Post - August 12, 1936

Camden Courier-Post - August 14, 1936