OUR PROGAMS & ACTIVITIES

American Legion Post 70, Nutley is proud to run a large number of programs.

Our programs are based on active involvement in four key service areas;

«     Ensuring a strong national security position for America,

«     Taking care of America’s veterans and their families,

«     Mentoring and supporting America’s children and youth, and

«     Promoting patriotism and honor.

Some of the many programs that Post 70 actively supports are:

Boys State - American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government. Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young ladies called Girls State. At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.  Each year Post 70 sponsors over a dozen juniors from Nutley High School to attend the program.  Expenses associated with attending this program are paid by the Post and by donations from local business and community-based organizations.

Scholarship Awards – Post 70 awards one or more scholarships each year to deserving students graduating from Nutley High School.  The criteria used in selecting the recipient are similar to those for most other such programs but with extra consideration given to financial need and preference given to veterans or their descendants.  In addition, the Post forwards the name of its recipient to the Essex County organization for consideration in its scholarship programs.  County recipients may also be forwarded to the State and National organizations for additional awards.

East Orange VA Hospital Visitation – The Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System (VANJHCS) is a consolidated facility comprised of two main campuses, one in East Orange, the corporate office located in Northeastern New Jersey within the greater New York metropolitan area, and one in Lyons, 22 miles to the west of the East Orange Campus. In addition to general medical, psychiatry, and long-term care, a full range of medical and surgical subspecialty care is provided to veterans of the VANJHCS in a variety of special programs. Each month members of Post 70, Unit 70, and Squadron 70 travel to the East Orange VA Hospital where they conduct recreational rehabilitation services for the patients.  Such services often take the form of “Bingo Nights” with games, refreshments, and gifts for the participants.

Veterans Grave Decoration – There are more than a dozen cemeteries and/or monuments within the town of Nutley that contain the remains of or plaques to fallen veterans from Town.  Post 70 ensures that each veterans' grave and monument  is decorated with an American Flag and these decorations are maintained throughout the year.

Nutley Memorial Monument Ceremony – Each year, in the early morning hours of Memorial Day, the public, dignitaries and other veterans' organizations are invited to join Post 70 as we travel to each cemetery and monument within the town.  At each of the more than one-dozen stops a solemn service of remembrance is conducted.

High Point Memorial Ceremony –   Every year since 1949 Post 70 has provided logistical support for Essex County’s attendance at the memorial service in High Point State Park which is conducted by the American Legion Department of NJ.  High Point State Park is the result of a gift of 10,000 acres from Colonel Anthony and Susie Dryden Kuser made in 1923 to the people of NJ.  In the wake of WWI the Kusers offered to fund construction of a 220-foot obelisk modeled after the Bunker Hill Monument.  The state accepted and the monument now stands as “a tribute to all citizens of NJ who have served, or who shall serve, in any war in either the land, sea, or air forces of this country”.  The program for the day includes a massing of colors, the traditional speeches by dignitaries, patriotic music, and the placing of wreaths at the base of the monument. 

Veterans Day – Post 70 helps to organize and execute a variety of activities on Veterans Day.  Special attention is paid to the schools where members of Post 70, along with other veterans, participate in question and answer sessions as well as targeted presentations.

Memorial Day Parade – Post 70 is a key player in the planning and execution for one of the state’s most impressive Memorial Day events.  On several occasions incumbent governors have addressed the public and marched in the parade.  The Post makes a special effort to educate the public about the true meaning of the day, honoring those who have fallen rather than traditional beginning of summer and family picnic day.

Korean Armistice- Post 70 actively participates in ceremonies conducted by VFW Post 493 to recognize the signing of the Korean Armistice.

Coloring Contest – As part of our Americanism and Children and Youth programs, Post 70 conducts an annual Coloring Contest.  Each year an image with a patriotic and/or historical theme is provided to the students in every elementary school in Nutley.  Once colored by the students, these pictures are returned to the Post where several winners are selected.  These winners, along with their families and teachers, are invited to one of our monthly meetings where they are presented with certificates and checks.  Local business and community organizations display the posters for the public to view.  The winning entries are forwarded to the Essex County Legion for consideration of their county-level award.

Flag Retirement Ceremony – The American Legion is a principal source of information related to the proper display, treatment, and ceremonies related to the Flag of the United States of America.  We serve as a local expert in “The Flag Code” (Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1) and conduct many of the ceremonies related to the flag for the community.  One such service pertains to the collection of and the performance of a Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags which was approved through Resolution No.440, by the National Convention of The American Legion meeting in New York, New York, September 20-23, 1937.

Veterans Support- Post 70 makes every effort to provide veterans, and their families, with the support they need.  This support may take many forms and is dependent on the nature of the request and the capabilities of the Post.  One service that is of particular note is our funeral and burial services.  When requested, officers and members from the Post conduct a moving service at the viewing as a tribute to the veteran his/her family.  We can also provide services at the gravesite.  The Post also has a dedicated “Service Officer” who is responsible for bringing to the attention of all veterans and their dependents the rights and benefits granted them by law.  The Service Officer knows how to utilize the expert services available through Legion channels, as well as those of other agencies in his community to make certain that every veteran and dependents are adequately represented.

Military Fan Mail Program Support – Post 70 supports all of the patriotic and veterans programs in Nutley’s schools.  One program that has been especially successful is the Military Fan Mail Club in Spring Garden School which is overseen by Doreen Holland.  Post 70 contributes both time and money to help this program.  On May 23, the students of the Military Fan Mail Club at Spring Garden School had an assembly welcoming the family of the late Corporal David Unger.  The students had been writing to Unger while he was in Iraq, but sadly, he died while in Iraq.

Nutley Veterans Council- Post 70 is an active member of the Nutley Veterans Council which is composed of members from each of Nutley’s veterans' organizations (American Legion, AMVETS, and VFW).  Its mission is to coordinate the activities of these groups and provide a means of representing veterans' interests to the town.  Among other things, the Council is responsible for providing the Grand Marshal who will lead the Memorial Day Parade.  Each year the posts of President, Vice-President, and Secretary/ Treasurer of the Council rotate among the three organizations.  Beginning in September 2007 Post 70 will be responsible for providing a Council President and for hosting the monthly meetings which are held at 7:30 on the third Wednesday of each month.

Legislative Activism and Advocacy – While the American Legion organization remains extremely active in advocating positions on issues that impact veterans at the national and state levels, Post 70 is also active in those issues and areas that impact our local veterans through meetings with local policy makers, letters, and public education.

Essex County AL Organization Support – Post 70 is a member of the Essex County American Legion organization and provides the county with financial, personnel, and logistical support.  At present, several of our members are also officers at the county level.

NJ State AL Support – Over the years, Post 70 has been a strong supporter of the State American Legion.  Each year representatives from the Post attend the convention and represent the interests of our Post during the process of elections and resolution passage.  A large number of members from the Nutley Legion family (Auxiliary, SAL, and Post) march in the parade that is traditionally held on the last day of the convention.  Our efforts have been noted as the Post has provided a number of state level officers and committee members and our Auxiliary has taken first place as the “Best Appearing Group” for 2006.

Support for Nutley’s First Responders – The first responders of Nutley receive both financial support, in the form of donations, and logistical support, in the form of a meeting place, from Post 70.  Our rolls include current and prior members of the Nutley Police Department, Nutley Fire Department, and Nutley Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad.  Each year when the Fire Department tours the town with Santa, Post 70 provides a rest stop and refreshments for those who participate.

Donations to Various Charities – As a service organization Post 70 continually looks for deserving charities and novel ways to raise funds or donate useful items.  In the past couple of years we have donated games, furniture and money to the Nutley Special Young Adult program.  We have also made financial donations and provided recognition to a number of Scouting programs including those beyond the town of Nutley.  In the wake of Katrina, the Post pledged money to the National Emergency Fund which helped victims of the disaster meet the day-to-day living expenses that other forms of financial assistance did not include.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We can't do all of this by ourselves, we need the help of others.  If you are an individual or if you are part of a local business/organization please consider helping us in our community service effort.

BOYS' STATE - We are looking for organizations or individuals who would be willing to sponsor a young man for Boys' State.  The cost is $185 per boy.  If you would like to help but cannot afford the full amount, any donation would be appreciated.  Send your check, payable to "AL POST 70" to us at 45 Franklin Ave., Nutley, NJ  07110 Attn: Boys' State Chairman.  For more information please contact Jack Magnifico at (973) 751-7060.

LEGION BASEBALL - We once again hope to field two teams, a Senior Division and a Junior Division team.  The cost of such an effort continues to go up and, although each youngster pays for part of these expenses, we need the help of organizations and individuals to help keep it affordable for them.  We ask sponsors for a $200 donation, but any  amount would be appreciated and put to good use.  Send your check, payable to "AL POST 70" to us at 45 Franklin Ave., Nutley, NJ  07110 Attn: Baseball Chairman.  For more information please contact Jack Magnifico at (973) 751-7060.

If you can help with any aspect of any of our programs please contact us by e-mail, phone, US mail, or in person.  We would be glad for any assistance you can offer.