TO ALL POST 53 MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY;
We are pleased to announce that as of January 8, 2022 Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 has resumed its post pandemic monthly member meetings, community services, veterans support services and annual events and other activities as listed in the schedule of events below. We are and will forever be an organization established 103 years ago to assist our courageous veterans and their families in times of need. We shall also never forget those that served in all of America’s wars who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.
Bob Paoli, Commander Ridgewood American Legion Post 53
Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 is sponsoring a major event for 2022 to place a monument honoring Gold Star Families near the War Memorial in Van Neste Square Memorial Park. It is the hope of Post 53 and the Gold Star Families monument committee to complete the design and installation of the monument to be unveiled at the annual Gold Star Families Day event on September 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. It should be noted that the placement of the Gold Star Families at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood monument will be only the second such monument in the State of New Jersey.
In order for Post 53 to move forward with the completion of this project we are currently seeking donations from local businesses, residents and corporate donors in and around our community.
At the top of this page there is a menu selection for Donations. Please click on this menu selection and it will direct you to the Post’s SECURED donation page (https://www.ridgewoodamericanlegionpost53.org) where you can select from a drop down menu for donations in any amount that you would like to make towards the Gold Star Families Monument. The donation page also gives you an opportunity to donate towards our annual Memorial Day Poppy drive.
The post has also setup a “Go Fund Me” page to accept donations for the Gold Star Families Monument project. Simply access GOFUNDME.COM search for Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 fund raiser and follow the instructions provided.
We the Legionnaires of Post 53 and Gold Star Families Monument committee would like to thank you in advance for your generosity for any donation of your choice towards the completion of the Gold Star Families Monument project and our annual Memorial Day Poppy drive.
MEMORIAL DAY FLAG PLACEMENT AT VALLEAU CEMETERY
Memorial Day Flags will be placed at the grave sites of those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation. The event will take place on May 14, 2022 at Valleau Cemetery Ridgewood beginning at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers are welcome.
2022 MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE VAN NESTE PARK RIDGEWOOD NJ
On May 30, 2022, Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 will conduct its annual Memorial Day Services at Van Neste Park Ridgewood NJ honoring those service men and women who made ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nations in all branches of our armed forces. The service is open to the public and all are invited to attend.
FLAG DAY 2022
June 9, 2022 through June 17, 2022 Members of American Legion Post 53 will visit Ridgewood’s public schools to provide a demonstration on the history and care of the American Flag. Schools that will be visited is to be determined.
4TH OF JULY PARADE 2022
Members of American Legion Post 53 will participate in the Ridgewood’s annual Fourth of July Parade that will be held on Monday July 4, 2022. Commander Paoli and Legionnaires from Post 53 has will preside over the July 4th flag raising at 9:00 a.m. at Wilsey Square. Legionnaires from the post will also march in the July 4th parade.
This year marks the 103rd Anniversary of the establishment of the American Legion and the establishment of Ridgewood American Legion Post 53. All members of Post 53 should endeavor to be available to take part in the parade and related events.
GOLD STAR Families Day DAY EVENT 2022
Gold Star Families Day, will be celebrated on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at Van Neste Park Ridgewood and will be commemorated with the placing and display of luminaries in Van Neste Park beginning at 7 p.m. The event is open to all to attend.
It is also the date of the tentative unveiling of the Gold Star Families Monument.
BLUE STAR FAMILIES DINNER 2022
On Friday October 21, 2022 (date is tentative and subject to change) Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 will conduct it’s annual Blue Star Families Dinner that will be held at Mt. Carmel Church in Ridgewood. All Blue Star families are invited to attend.
VETERANS DAY SERVICE 2022
On Friday November 11, 2022 American Legion Post 53 will conduct a service honoring all veterans who have served in our nations’ armed forces to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. the time of the signing of the Armistice ending WWI on November 11, 1914.
RETRIEVAL OF MEMORIAL DAY FLAGS FROM VALLEAU CEMETERY 2022
During November 2022 the members of American Legion Post 53 will retrieve all flags placed at Valleau Cemetery beginning at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers are needed and welcome to help the members retrieve the flags. Please check back on our website for the exact date of this event that is yet to be determined.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 53 VETERANS DAY PANEL AT RHS 2022
During November 2022 members of American Legion Post 53 will participate in Ridgewood High School’s annual Veterans Day breakfast and educational forum at Ridgewood High School. Date of this event is yet to be determined. Please check back on our website for any updates for this event.
WREATH LAYING AT VALLEAU CEMETERY 2022
On December 17, 2022 members of American Legion Post 53 will lay Christmas Wreaths a Valleau Cemetery to remember our fallen veterans. Six wreaths will be laid to represent each of the branches of our nations armed forces. A seventh wreath will be placed at the grave site of Medal of Honor recipient Charles Hoskins, one of only five buried in the State of New Jersey. This event is open to the public. All are welcome to attend.ct date of this event that is yet to be determined.
APPROPRIATE DISPOSAL OF AMERICAN FLAGS
The Ridgewood R.R.station outside the ticket office.
MIDLAND PARK THRIFT SHOP VOLUNTEERS