Report, Videos, Photos Memorial Day, House Decorating Contest, Flagging of Graves
85th ANNUAL FLAGGING of the VETERANS GRAVES at Locustwood
Today, there are over 2300 VETERANS GRAVES in Locustwood Cemetery - some of which are located in a dedicated American Legion Section and also in a dedicated Jewish Veterans Section.
There are numerous veterans in this cemetery that paid the ultimate sacrifice during the wars. Some of them are highlighted in our video presentation, which we encourage everyone to watch. May we be eternally grateful for their sacrfices for our freedom.
Since 1935, when Locustwood Cemetery deeded 400 free grave sites to the American Legion and erected a monument, American Legion members have been flagging all the veterans graves – this year marked the 85th YEAR OF FLAGGING for American Legion members!
With over 200 Jewish war veterans buried in Locustwood, Jewish War Veterans Post 126 has been flagging them for years. In 2015, the community joined in the tradition and we are 150+ COMMUNITY STRONG in honoring our deceased veterans at Locustwood Cemetery. ( Camden County & Veterans Affairs, Cherry Hill Township, JFCS, Cherry Hill Fire Department, Girls Scouts, Jr Police Academy and many more!)
Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus we were unable to invite the public to join in. However, American Legion members and the Cherry Hill Police Department flagged the graves. Thank you to all that helped. (for a few words from JFCS and JWV Post 126 regarding this years flagging, click here)
We hope you enjoy our video which captures the meaning of why we flag, the 85 year history, our KIA's and a photo montage from over the years....the TRADITION continues.... (to view photos, click here)
FLAGGING of the VETERANS GRAVES at Colestown Cemetery
There are over 400 VETERANS GRAVES in Colestown Cemetery – among many heroes that rest here are Medal of Honor recipient George R Cholister and our beloved Cpt Greg Dalessio of Cherry Hill who was killed in 2008.
Colestown was actually a small village founded in the late 1600s. The village contained two stores, a blacksmith shop, several dwellings, a church, a cemetery and a hotel.
The cemetery, where the earliest burial was recorded in 1746, is the only remnant of this village. The gatehouse, constructed in 1858, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. One side of the gatehouse was used as a chapel for funeral services, and the other side was the living quarters for the superintendent of the cemetery. Medal of Honor recipient George Cholisters father, Harry, lived here for over 30 years as the Superintendent.
George Cholister, although born in Camden, was educated at Ellisburg School, which was then Delaware Township. His father was a policeman in Stockton before becoming a Superintendent at Colestown Cemetery.
Cholister enlisted in the Navy on April 11, 1916 and was in the eighth year of his enlistment when he sustained the injuries which resulted in his death. During the World War, George served on a submarine in the North Sea and was later transferred to the US Destroyer Fanning, which was officially credited with sinking 3 German submarines. He also served in China and Japan for 4 years, during the earthquake disaster. George Cholister lost his life on October 20, 1924, at Norfolk, VA, when a charge of powder during gun practice was prematurely ignited aboard the USS Cruiser Trenton. He was posthumoutly awarded both the Navy Cross and Medal on Honor.
Another hero, Army Cpt Greg Dalessio, who grew up in the Knollwood Section of Cherry Hill, was fatally shot on June 23, 2008 as he emerged from a weekly reconstruction meeting with Iraqi officials in the city of Salman Pak. The gunman in that attack also killed another American soldier and wounded three others. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and was on his second tour.
Since his death in 2008, his family has held an Annual Cpt Greg Dalessio 5K Run/Walk on the 1st Saturday in December.
On Monday, May 18th, members of the American Legion, Boy Scout Leaders and friends of the Legion flagged the grave. To view photos, click here
House Decorating CONTEST - $100 Prize for Winner !
Cherry Hill Houses that registered online and displayed a patriotic scene or a scene remembering the fallen outside their home were considered to win a $100 Visa gift card !
It was a fun activity for families and a chance for our hometown to showcase the true meaning of Memorial Day.
On Sunday, May 25th, members of the American Legion, Fire Department and Cherry Hill Police Department paraded by all the homes that entered as our Legionnaires judged their displays!
It was a great time, with CHPD rocking it out by playing patriotic music along the way.
The winner, Kandace Valentino, was announced during our Virtual Memorial Day recording and her $100 Gift Card hand delivered by Grizz. All entrants received a certificated of appreciation and American flag.
