VFW Commander’s Corner

November was a very busy month for the post. We hosted our very first community flag retirement ceremony. This ceremony was the first of what I hope to be of many ongoing partnerships with the community. The event was a collaboration of Boy Scout Troops 75 and 80, the Police and Fire Department Honor Guards as well as the VFW Post Color Guard. Students from Hillside Ave School, Mr. Maloney’s class also participated in the ceremony as well providing the Pledge of Allegiance.The event was well attended by members of the community and other VFW Posts. Garwood Home Depot Donated the Fire Pit for the Ceremony and Dryer’s Farm provided refreshments for after the event.The event was a respectful way to retire flags from our community. The large flag from Eastman Plaza was also retired after its long service to our community. We raised a new 15 by 20 foot flag to serve as the center piece of our community’s plaza.
November also saw the VFW hold its annual Veterans Day Breakfast. This is a stable in the VFW calendar of public events that support our local veterans. This event was well attended by many local veterans. The Key speaker was Command Master Chief Ron Herman from Naval Weapons Station Earle. The Master Chief spoke of his military service and what Veterans Day means to him. The event was capped off by our local leaders from the town, county and state reflecting on what the impact veterans have had on the community at large. I was also proud to present Past President of our Auxiliary Noreen Cannone a Certificate of Appreciation for her years of outstanding service to not only the VFW but to the local community. We as members of the Post were also present at our local schools on Veterans Day talking to students about our experiences and how it has an impact on us today. Vincent Dooley a Marine and an Iraq veteran was a guest speaker at Orange Ave school, While Joe Delgrippo, Hanif Davis and Myself spoke to students at the high School about our experiences. All of our visits were well received by the students and faculty at our local school. The visits were rewarding to both the students and us!!! We look forward to the holiday season and please do not forget our troops deployed overseas… I wish you all happy holidays and fair winds and following seas…..
Commander Jay
Jay E. Boxwell Jr
Commander Cranford Post 335
NJ State VFW POW/MIA Chairman
479 South Ave East
Cranford, NJ 07016
908 276 9730 (post)
908 296 3843 (cell)