NJ American Legion Marks Centenary

WILDWOOD – For 100 years, thousands of state American Legion members have convened in Wildwood for their annual convention.
Representatives from chapters all over the state have held the American Legion Convention at Wildwoods Convention Center since 1918. The veterans’ advocacy group was chartered by Congress a year later, in 1919.
To honor the centennial milestone, local and state legionnaires buried a time capsule in front of Byron Pennington Croker American Legion Post 184 on Atlantic Avenue June 8.
Legion veterans from throughout the state who were in town for the convention watched as the capsule was placed in the ground.
“The capsule has 100 years of our history which came from different posts and counties within New Jersey,” said outgoing county Commander Sherry Lee Govoni. “Something unique to each post or county.”
In the capsule, Legion members placed challenge coins, which are membership tokens, as well as written histories of Legion chapters.
“I’d say we’ve got over 100 things in that time capsule,” said National Executive Committeeman Chuck Robbins, who served as chairman for the centennial committee. “From pictures or interesting stories, articles, to programs from 1919 up to 1969, our 50th anniversary.”
One written history was about the only state commander who also served as national commander, Gen. William Doyle. Doyle was elected national commander in 1968.
“In New Jersey, let alone the national organization, it is just incredible how much rich history we have,” Robbins said.
Robbins said he started planning the centennial four years ago. Six months ago, he asked Wildwood post-Commander Harry Weimar if the committee could bury a time capsule at the post.
After Weimar approved, the committee asked all of New Jersey’s 300 Legion posts for artifacts for the capsule.
Robbins left a Vietnam War pin and note for his son, a veteran who served in Afghanistan.
Wildwood’s Legion placed a challenge coin bearing an image of the Wildwoods Veterans Memorial Wall, as well as their chapter’s license plate, in the capsule. The artifacts were enclosed in a plastic case which was buried about two feet underground.
The capsule will remain buried for 25 years. On June 8, 2043, it will be unearthed by the grandchildren of incoming state commander Ray Miller. The children were given letters not to be opened until 2043 which invite them to uncover the capsule.
Miller and his grandchildren, former State Commander Mike Wilson, outgoing State Commander Darryl Reid, centennial committee member Frank Landis, Robbins, and Weimar each shoveled gravel onto the capsule after it was placed in the ground.
“I don’t think any of us are going to be here” when the capsule is unearthed, said Weimar.
Although the American Legion was chartered in 1919, the centennial is celebrated in 2018 rather than 2019 because officers are elected in June for the coming year, Govoni said.
The day after the capsule was buried, the state Legion parade made its way through North Wildwood and Wildwood.
“It’s not only a convention, but it’s also like a reunion,” Weimar said. “This is the only time you see these people all year.”
Congress originally chartered the nonprofit American Legion to serve veterans, service members and communities, according to the Legion’s website. The first generation of Legion members were veterans of World War I.
The Legion has over 2 million members today, according to its website.
“The Legion did great things, including GI bills and many other legislative acts all about taking care of veterans,” Robbins said.
To contact Taylor Henry, email thenry@cmcherald.com.