American Legion Post 105 Family Of Belleville Attends State Convention

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of American Legion Post 105. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The American Legion Post 105 Family – made up of the American Legion’s Veterans, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), and the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) – put Belleville’s name yet again at the forefront of the state at this year’s 2023 American Legion Department of NJ Convention in Wildwood. SAL Squadron 105, aside from receiving multiple awards for its many Veterans, Americanism, and Children and Youth programs, had one of its very own Sons – Adjutant Rusty Myers – named as the Detachment of NJ’s 2022-23 Son of the Year.

Each year during the second week in June, New Jersey’s American Legion Family gathers in Wildwood, NJ for their state-wide convention. The convention sessions themselves are only two days, but events precede and follow those days of votes on the floor with receptions, parades, and ‘get togethers’. In addition to the organization’s business that needs to be discussed and voted on throughout the week, the convention is also an amazing opportunity for posts, units, and squadrons from around the state to get together and celebrate our common goal of working towards our veterans. The 105 had a great opportunity to see many old friends, and make many new ones.

The custom shirts that were handed out echoed what was heard in every corner of Wildwood for the five day convention week – “105 IN THE HOUSE!”

Three years ago Belleville’s SAL Squadron 105 attended its first convention, which the post hadn’t participated in for over two decades. “This all started with three of us” noted SAL 105 Squadron Commander Stave Sangemino, pointing out that in that first year only three Sons made the trek to the Shore. The second year, there were about fifteen – this year, around 60 members of the Post Family participated in the Wildwood Convention.

The highlight of the week was in the 105 proudly marching Belleville’s name down Atlantic Avenue in the Department Parade held on Saturday the 10th. Members of the Post colorguard made the one-and-a-half mile march, carrying the five flags and dressed in the familiar white stars and stripes uniforms residents of Belleville see at many town events. Following behind our brand-new Post 105 American Legion Family of Belleville Banner were cars and twenty-plus members marching waving American Flags.

ALA Linda Doris, who is a member of the Belleville Legion Auxiliary Unit which just chartered in January of 2023, wrote on Facebook that this was her “…First time walking in a Veteran's Parade representing the Belleville Auxiliary. What an awesome and moving experience!”

The convention also gives the state an opportunity to tally up the accomplishments of all of the local and county organizations across the Legion Family. This tabulation, aside from giving National Headquarters a precise idea of what the contributions from New Jersey are, also gives the state leadership an opportunity to recognize those posts, units, and squadrons which have excelled in running some of their own programs.

The Post came away with a membership award for going “over the top”, meaning they grew in membership this year. The Squadron received first place for membership growth in the state as well, going from 62 to 126 members in a 103% increase since last June. SAL 105 also walked away with plaques recognizing second place in the internal affairs category, giving almost $6,000 back to our home post and its veterans, 2nd place in the state for Americanism donations and third place in Americanism hours worked, putting in over $8,500 in Americanism projects, and finally in the Children and Youth category, where they received 3rd place in NJ with almost $7,000 going to our kids.

All of Essex County’s SAL squadrons as a county also received second place for greatest in a membership percentage increase over last year.

Perhaps the biggest feather in the cap of Belleville’s American Legion was in that one of its Sons received the prestigious 2022-23 Son of the Year Award. The award is given annually to one Son in New Jersey, out of the almost 10,000 members in the state. The award was presented to SAL 105 Adjutant Rusty Myers, who also serves in representing Essex County at the state level, as well as serving as the Detachment of NJ chairman of the Children and Youth Commission. “I’m proud to stand among the caliber of men who have received this award before”, stated Myers in accepting the award - “This is for all of our veterans, which is why we do what we do everyday.”

As well as an inscribed clock for Son of the Year given as a token of recognition for the time given to the organization, he also received the Detachment Commander’s Award for “outstanding dedication to the American Legion Family.”

Myers is the second Son in three years from 105 who received this award. Steve Sanegmino, 105’s Squadron Commander, received the award in 2020-21. “Two recipients from the same place is quite an honor for Belleville”, stated Myers.

Social media throughout the week was flooded with fun pictures of members in Wildwood smiling and having a good time. The 105’s homebase for the week was the Skylark Motel on Atlantic Ave, which has a rooftop overlooking Wildwoods main boulevard. The entire hotel was decked out in banners with the message “Vietnam Veterans – Welcome Home” which was the theme of this year’s parade, plus flags, lights, and more banners with the ubiquitous message of “105 in the House”! With such a wonderful staff, fantastic owners, and a choice location, it was a quick choice to book the entire hotel for next year’s convention.

And, as a true sign of how much fun everyone had and how successful the week was, next years was being planned before this week was over.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. Founded in 1932, Sons of The American Legion exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires, and is open to all male sons and grandsons of eligible veterans. Completing the Legion Family, in the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.

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