American Legion Post to Honor World War II Vets, Give Tickets to Fly CG Members Home for Christmas

STONE HARBOR – For members of Stephen Ludlam American Legion Post 331, Dec. 7 is a day to honor those who served in the Second World War as well as those still serving. Because of the high respect its legionnaires have for veterans, especially those who fought Axis foes 73 years ago, they will mark the “day that will live in infamy” with an informal afternoon reception.
From 1 to 4:30 p.m., World War II veterans who reside locally, estimated from 16 to 20, will be guests of honor at the open house hosted by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. The public is invited to visit with those who fought in Germany, Italy or the Pacific Theater.
Organizers vow there will be “no pomp and circumstance, just a salute to the greatest generation,” according to Thomas McCullough, Post 331 service officer and an Army veteran. The event will be opened and closed with prayer, he added. Hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments will be served.
An array of elected officials has been invited including mayors, freeholders, state and U.S. senators and Gov. Chris Christie, who expressed regrets on not beign able to attend but offered best wishes.
“It will be a relaxed atmosphere,” McCullough added. Some former service members from the Veterans Memorial Home, Vineland have also been invited.
“We are asking the community to salute the greatest generation,” he said. “We are very proud of World War II veterans. We want to honor them this way,” he continued.
Organizers hope the veterans will swap war stories, socialize, and realize that the valor they displayed to defend the nation is still appreciated by their friends and neighbors.
Brighten Someone’s Christmas
James Fleischmann, another Post 331 member and Air Force veteran, saw an opportunity to brighten the Christmas season for some Coast Guard members serving in Cape May. Wanting to “lend support to the Coasties in Cape May,” he offered an idea to post comrades, something never before done in the history of the local legion post: Send a Coast Guard member or military family ‘lock stock and barrel home for Christmas to surprise mom or grandma.”
His idea won favor with comrades. Next, he pitched the idea to Cape May Coast Guard officials and their legal advisors. The idea of a lottery system to select a winner initially raised questions, but it was decided, as long as money was not involved in any lottery selection, it would “pass muster.”
The word was spread by base officials to service members. Those desiring to have their names entered for an opportunity to get an all-expenses-paid trip home for Christmas responded.
The concept was, regardless of where a service member lived, near or far, fully-paid trips would be provided. The trips include limousine service from their home (or on-base) to the airport, flight tickets, ground transportation from the distant airport to their home, and flowers for their mother or grandmother.
As Fleishmann solicited local businesses for funds to make the holiday trip(s) possible, he found willing donors at every turn. Instead of being able to send one service member home for the holiday, sufficient collections made possible sending three people home for the holidays.
While Fleishmann and legion members anticipated a family with children heading home for the holidays, a single person and married couple without children were the winners.
When names were drawn at the Coast Guard Training Center, and winners were summoned to the commanding officer’s office, they arrived “a little bit with their tail between their legs,” Fleischmann recalled.
“I said, ‘I’m Jim Fleischmann, your new best friend,” he continued. “You are the guys going home on the American Legion,” he said.
Winners were Cameron and Rebecca Huchens and Betty Siscoe. They will receive their tickets at the Dec. 7 reception at Post 331.
The Huchens will be flown to Raleigh-Durham, N.C. then driven home to Wilson, N.C.
Siscoe will be flown to Love Field, Dallas, Texas.
Arrangements were made by Mary Pratico of AAA in Rio Grande, Fleischmann said. “She donated her time, and it took a considerable amount of time. A lot of people reached out to help the Coast Guard on this endeavor,” he added.
Avalon Limousine and Heaven on Wheels Limousine in Dallas made their services available at half price “because of the military, they were perfectly happy to do it,” said Fleischmann.
“With all the people I have dealt with, I have not heard one negative comment,” he added.
Fleischmann said when Cameron told his wife, she cried and said, “No one has ever done anything like this for us.”
Names of all contributors will be listed on a board at the legion post, he added.
Fleischmann wondered what might be the impact if American Legion posts nationwide undertook a similar project in their respective areas. “It could be a major event in all 50 states,” he said.
He is willing to describe the plan used locally to anyone who may wish to follow in the future.