Post 53 Activities
TO ALL POST 53 MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY;
Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 is pleased to announce our planned 2024 activities: We will conduct monthly Post 53 member meetings, community services, veterans support services, and annual Village events, and other activities listed below. We are and will forever be an organization established 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.
Lou Francis, Commander Ridgewood American Legion Post 53
See below for a special note from the Gold Star Families Monument Committee:
Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 is sponsoring the installation of a monument honoring Gold Star Families in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. The Gold Star Families Monument committee has selected the design, and location of the monument at Memorial Park at Van Nest Square in the Village of Ridgewood to be unveiled at one of our events on Gold Star Families Day in September 2024. It should be noted that the placement of the Gold Star Families Monument at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood will be only the second such monument in the State of New Jersey.
Thanks to the efforts of generous donors in our community, the Gold Star Monument Committee has achieved its fund-raising goals. The committee is moving forward with the fabrication and installation to be completed by Gold Star Families Day or Veterans Day 2024. We are thankful for all donations and the beautiful design donated by Tess Guiliani and Lynne Brady.
Bob Paoli, Chairman Gold Star Families Monument Committee
Our meetings are usually on the first Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at the Ridgewood Firehouse located at 201 E. Glen Avenue recreation room. Parking is located at the back of the firehouse. There are no meetings in July and August.
– January 6, 2024
– February 3, 2024
– March 2, 2024
– April 6, 2024
– May 4, 2024
– June 1, 2024
No meetings in July & August
– September 7, 2024
– October 5, 2024
– November 2, 2024
– December 7, 2024
Flags will be placed at the grave sites of those men and women who served in the armed forces of our nation. The event will take place on May 18, 2024 at Valleau Cemetery Ridgewood beginning at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers are welcome.
On May 27, 2024, beginning at 11:00 am Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 will conduct its annual Memorial Day Service at Van Neste Park Ridgewood NJ honoring those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation in all branches of our armed forces. The service is open to the public and all are invited to attend.
June 10, 2024 through June 14, 2024 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.
Members of American Legion Post 53 will participate in the Ridgewood’s annual Fourth of July Parade that will be held on Thursday July 4, 2024. Commander Lou Francis 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.
Gold Star Families Day, will be commemorated on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Van Neste Park Ridgewood with the placing and display of luminaries beginning at 7 p.m. The event is open to all to attend.
On Friday, October 18, 2024 Ridgewood American Legion Post 53 will conduct its annual Blue Star Families Dinner that will be held at Mt. Carmel Church in Ridgewood. All Blue Star families are invited to attend.
Start time: 7pm.
Guests should arrive between 6:30 – 7:00 pm.
On Monday, November 11, 2024 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.
On Saturday, November 16, 2024 the members of American Legion Post 53 will retrieve all flags placed at Valleau Cemetery beginning at 9:00 am. Volunteers are needed and welcome.
During November 2024 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.
On Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 9:00 am members of American Legion Post 53 will lay Christmas Wreaths at 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.
The Ridgewood R.R.station outside the ticket office.
Each January of the new year American Legion Post 53 provides members as volunteers to assist with the operations of the thrift shop. Members are encouraged to volunteer. Please contact Vice Commander Kirsten Dickson if you are interested in volunteering a small amount of your time.
– Ridgewood Village Hall 1st Floor Police Department (131 N. Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450)
– Outside Ticket Office at Ridgewood Train Station (6 Garber Square)