American Legion Cherry Hill NJ Post 372

Recap of The Wall That Heals visit to American Legion Post 372 Cherry Hill NJ in April 2009:

American Legion Post 372 of Cherry Hill, NJ brought “The Wall That Heals” to our community from April 16th-19th, 2009. The Wall That Heals exhibition features a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., a Museum and an Information Center.

The Wall That Heals Traveling Museum and Information Center provided a comprehensive educational component to enrich and complete visitors’ experiences, along with displays the American Legion had featuring the Camden County KIA's. The Museum chronicles the Vietnam War era and the unique healing power of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, while the Information Center serves as a venue for people to learn about friends and loved ones lost in the war. We had the support of the American Red Cross and several counselors on hand in the event some visitors were struggling with their emotions. 

Like the original Wall, the replica is erected in a chevron-shape and complete with the more than 58,000 names of those killed or missing in action from the conflict. For more information about "The Wall That Heals", visit https://www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/

ESCORT: The Wall That Heals was escorted to the American Legion Post 372 on Tuesday, April 14th under the direction of Escort Coordinator Tom Bietz and Sgt Brit Henderson of the Cherry Hill Police Department. The escorts rally point was the rest area in Carneys Point, NJ. Cherry Hill Fire Dept Rehab unit provided their food/drink rehab vehicle at the rest stop. Although the weather was miserable and rainy, approx 100 motorcycles showed up for the escort - an incredible number considering the dangerous road conditions. Prior to the Wall arrival, Post 372 members adorned the 2 mile Chapel Avenue route with flags, providing the perfect backdrop for the police escorted motorcycles escort. The Cherry Hill Fire Department set up trucks and the big American flag on Chapel Ave as the children from Joyce Kilmer Elementary School and Cherry Hill West High School lined the sidewalks awaiting the arrival of the Wall.

Special thanks to all that participated in the Escort:  American Legion Riders, Blue Knights MC, Centurions MC, HOG, Last Patrol MC, Leathernecks MC, Nam Knights of America MC, Patriot Guard Riders, Police Escorts (NJ State, Cherry Hill, Medford, Willingboro, etc), POW/MIA Awareness MC, Red White and Blue Freedom Riders, Second Brigade MC, Vietnam Veterans MC, Star Riders, Warriors Watch Riders.

SET-UP: Set up of the Wall was done on Wednesday, April 15th. There were approx 50 volunteers, 20 of which were the JROTC kids from Cherry Hill West High School. Some volunteers spent the day working out the electrical needs (Bill Quinn & Jim Arcinese), while the JROTC and others worked on assembling the Wall and the Wall truck tent - in the midst of some pretty nasty weather - cold, windy and rainy again. Finishing touches were made by adding flags behind the Wall, 24 palm plants with smaller flags in between to form the walkway in front of the Wall, parking signs and Wall signs were placed around the community, Port-a-Potties delivered, and various other tasks. Cherry Hill Fire Department lent us the podium, sound system and stage for the ceremonies - and set up/ broke down for each ceremony.A huge thank you to our Logistics Coordinators, Brian Fitzgerald, Steve Funkhouser, and all the volunteer helpers they had that helped throughout the 5 day visit.

VIEWING: The Wall That Heals was open for public viewing from Thursday morning until Monday morning. Bus Tours (School & Nursing Homes) were scheduled on Thursday & Friday. Ceremonies were held Thurs, Frid, Sat and Sunday. Total attendance within the 4 day period was estimated at 7500 by the VVMF.

PARKING: Parking was managed by numerous volunteers

CEREMONIES:  The Opening Ceremony was held at 6:30pm on April 16th which included participation from the Wall committee, local dignitaries, color guards and wreaths from numerous organizations. A Candlelight Service was held on Friday, April 17th at 7pm, which included the Missing Man Ceremony. We reached out to the family members, friends and comrades of the Camden County men (and a few from other counties) that were killed in action during Vietnam to invite them to the Cermoney honoring their loved ones. Family and comrades from as far away was Wisconsin, Illinios, Florida, Kansas, New York, Virginia and Delaware attended. It was a very emotional and touching ceremony. A Medal Ceremony was held on Saturday, April 18th at 11am. Lt Col. Al Bancroft presented Medals to local Vietnam veterans. The Closing Ceremony was held on April 19th at 4pm.

Thank you goes out to the following people and organizations that participated in the Ceremonies; Post 372 Commander Charles Macukewicz, Sr Vice Commander Ernie Brosh, Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt, Congressman John Adler, State Senator James Beach, Freeholder Jeffrey Nash, Freeholder Bruce Bobbit, Freeholder Joe Donnelly, Lt Col Al Bancroft, Col John Rawley, Bagpiper Curt Anderson (VVA), Cherry Hill High School West JROTC, Bob Patterson, Rev Bernie Henderson, POW/MIA Commitee (Bob Jonas and Tony Halas), Bugler Bobby Mac, Chief Master Sgt Al Gargas, Charles Gallagher (SJVV), Bob Henderson (Last Patrol), Marty Seroter (CC Honor Guard Bugler), William Mean (Stat Vocalist), Chaplain Chester Malik, Cherry Hill Boy Scouts, Cpl Edward Slavin, SJ Chapter 82nd Airborn Div Assn, Camden County Commander Tom Adams, SALs Commander Brian Fitzgerald, Aux Pres Carol Doyle, Val Norton, Phil Beck, Dave Larsen, Sabring Gottron, and escorts of SJ Vietnam Veterans. Color Guards from American Legion Post 372, Post 371, VFW Post 2445, VVA Chapter 899, AMVets  Pennsauken, Cherry Hill Fire Dept, Cherry Hill Police Dept, Cherry Hill West JROTC, Marine Corps League 1775, Marine Corps League Giordano Detachment.

VOLUNTEERS: We had over 200 people step up and volunteer for various positions. Many thanks to Volunteer Chairs, Charlie Adams, Maggie Thomas, Jim Arcinese, Sean Cook,and Dave Larsen.  There were also quite a few volunteers that practically lived at the Legion during the visit - special thanks to Steve Funkhouser for the use of the RV !

SECURITY: A job well done by all that volunteered for security detail 24/7. Special thanks to Cherry Hill Police Department for stationing police car at the Legion, stepping up patrols in the area during the visit, aiding in parking detail and being a part of our planning committee. 

ACCOMMODATIONS / HOSPITALITY: What an awesome crew of cooks, sponsors and helpers we had! The Legion Post Hall was open 24/7 offering bathroom facilities, the ktichen, seating and tables. All volunteers were provided with food and refreshments. Many thanks to our Hospitality Coordinator, Carol Doyle and all the committee members (Gus Branco, Dave Larsen, Doris Ihlenfeld, George Dubell and others) for their time and efforts. Many thanks to all the sponsor who donated food/drink as well. The VVMF staff stayed at the Quality Inn in Maple Shade. One room was generously donated by the Quality Inn. Several toher out of town guests stayed there at a discounted rate. What an awesome crew of cooks, sponsors and helpers we had to make sure there was food/beverages available 24/7 for all our volunteers. 

SPONSORS: We couldn't have done it without them!! By the time all was said and done, our expenses for the Wall visit was approx $12000. We had tremendous support from the community and all costs were covered!  Sponors included; ADCO Porperties Charlie Adams, Al & Mary Walker, Al Sacca, Alden Cafe, All Wood Flooring Dan Mancuso, American Legion Post 522, Post 84, Post 372, Post 519, Post 414, American Carriers, Andy Jackson & Sons Plumbing, Art Capilli, Benash Liquors, Bill & Sheryl Coneby, Bill & Val Norton, Blossoms of Cherry Hill, Burt Ferguson, C & H Mechanical, Camden Catholic High School,  Cpt Aaron Johnson, Cpt Diane, Charles & Terry Macukewicz, Cherry Hill Fire Officers, Cherry Hill Mall, Chester Malik, Church Road Civic Assn, Comcast, Dan & Laura Macukewicz, Dave Larsen, Dennis & Maureen McCormack, Deterding Market, Dot Wahl, Ed White, Edward & Rose Gribbin, Erlton Fire Co, Ernie Brosh, Ernie Linden, Fritz Giebel, George Purkins Jr, Haddonfield Lyons Club, Herman Goldner Co Inc, Home Depot, Ingelsby Funeral Home, Jeff Buchanan, JWV Post 126, JWV Post 395, Jim & Edna Gallagher, Jim Sirianni, Joan Donahue, Joe Dolan, JOhn & Joan Dexter, Joseph & Jeanette Messier, June Quinn, Korean War Veterans, Lexus of Cherry Hill, Marge Dantonio, Masso's Deli, Mayes Electric of Delran, Main Street Graphics, Mayor Bernie Platt, McMillans Bakery, Norton Funeral Home, Pauls Tree Service, PMB Bill Quinn, PNC Bank, Qulaity Inn, Ray Rubel, Roger Auker of Holingers Sports, Ron & Dolores Reamer, RPM, Sean & Eileen Cook, Secunda DiGiacomoo P&S, Shirley Ackuff, Shop Rite, Somerdale Bar, Somerdale Liquors, SJ Soft Pretzel & Water ICe, Stephenson Brown Funeral Home, Sue Quinn-Morris DPC, Sunoco, The Barking Lot & Cats Meow, Thomas Sharp, Town Tavern, Tracey Shite Almedia, VFW Post 1270, Post 2445, Victor & Jacqueline Pettyjohn, Wegemans, Westmont Bagels and the Wetzel's. 

The outpouring of support was phenonmenal. It was very inspiring to see.  Without everyone pulling together, working together as a team, it would not have worked out so well. The words "Thank You" don't seem adequate enough. 

Each an every one of you were an intrical part of educating the unknowing and helping to bring some peace and comfort to many veterans, their families, friends and comrades.

For God and Country,
Sue Quinn-Morris
EVENT COORDINATOR - The Wall That Heals
[email protected] / 856-495-7270