Thursday, November 26, 2020 - THANKSGIVING DAY - With the rain subsiding just in time, our community was able to give some troops a rockstar surprise welcoming on Thanksgiving Day! Training at Cooper Hospital, they were unable to make it home to their families

Event host, American Legion Post 372, along with many of our local patriots, veterans, and first responders were honored to show them some good old South Jersey hospitality!

Motorcyclists, including the American Legion Riders, Warriors Watch, AMVet Riders, Centurions and Masonic Riders, braved the rainy forecast with the help of the Cherry Hill Police and Camden County Police to escort some of our nations heroes to the American Legion Post 372 in Cherry Hill.

Meanwhile, with plenty of space for social distancing, our community gathered and waited outside to welcome them in - Dr Chovanes of Cooper Trauma and his family, Camden County Veterans Affairs Director, Cherry Hill Town Council Vice President, Legion members, local residents and the Garden State Jeep Club lined the Legions driveway, waving flags and signs to welcome them in and thank them for their service as the Cherry Hill Fire Department displayed the American Flag at the driveway entrance. 

After a brief ceremony outside which included speakers Commander Merimonde and Sgt Corey Terry (ret), the troops proceeded inside, where there was a Fallen Memorial Service, honoring some of their fallen comrades. A somber reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that is made for our freedoms. With a table set those heroes, they were certainly there in spirit for the Thanksgiving meal that followed!

It was a wonderful day, lest we forget all we have to be thankful for - especially our troops that protect our freedoms - without whom we may not have a Thanksgiving!

Direct Link to Thanksgiving Day Escort, Welcoming, Dinner etc - https://youtu.be/BLvIJDboOz8 

Direct Link to Special Operations Memorial Video - https://youtu.be/XSKncWBr7RY 

Photo Links; Set 1 / Set 2 / more to follow...

And there was certainly no lack of food / goodies with all the donations/volunteers that stepped up ; we had donations from numerous Auxiliary members of American Legion Cherry Hill NJ, Wegmans, Diane at Ciao Cibo, MISSION BBQ - The Honey Baked Ham Company- Ginababy, anonymous donors and others in the community. A thank you goes out to all those that donated their time, product, food and skills to prepare, organize, set-up, cook, bake, take photos/videos, memorial tribute, advertise and/or participated in making it a special day for our troops. As they say....it takes a village!