Post 53 Activities
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 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.
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 that can be made online at www.ridgewoodamericanlegionpost53.org website.
On the donations page there is a selection to Make a Donation to Post 53 projects. Please click on the wording “Make a Donation” and it will direct you to the Post’s SECURED PayPal donation page where you can select from a drop down menu for donations in any amount that you would like to make to support the Gold Star Families Monument or our annual Memorial Day Poppy drive.
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 or our annual Memorial Day Poppy drive.
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.
– October 7, 2023
– November 9, 2023
– December 2, 2023
– January 6, 2024
– February 2, 2024
– March 2, 2024
– April 6, 2024
– May 4, 2024
– June 1, 2024
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 13, 2023 at Valleau Cemetery Ridgewood beginning at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers are welcome.
On May 29, 2023, 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.
June 12, 2023 through June 16, 2023 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 Tuesday 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 104th 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, will be celebrated on Sunday, September 24, 2023 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.
On October 20, 2023 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.
Start time: 7pm.
Guests should arrive between 6:30 – 7:00 pm.
On Saturday Novembe 11, 2023 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.
During November 2023 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.
During November 2023 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 December 16, 2023. Start time is 9am.
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.
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 Commander Bob Paoli if you are interested in volunteering a small amount of your time.
November 18, 2023, at 9 am
– Ridgewood Village Hall 1st Floor Police Department (131 N. Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450)
– Outside Ticket Office at Ridgewood Train Station (6 Garber Square)