Belleville Sons Of American Legion Earn Awards At National Convention

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

Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 105 of Belleville, New Jersey received three awards this year at the 51st Sons of the American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. This year, as part of the New Jersey delegation to the convention, SAL 105 Adjutant Rusty Myers accepted the award on the squadron’s behalf.

SAL 105 brought home national recognition by receiving first and second place in two different categories of the “Snapshots of Service” award, in the categories of Veteran’s Affairs and Americanism, respectively, and also won first place in the “Videos of Service” competition in the Membership and Recruitment category.

“Snapshots of Service” is a competition held by the national SAL organization wherein “Sons of The American Legion squadrons are encouraged to enter the annual Snapshots of Service photo contest to promote the Sons’ programs … photos must represent one of the Four Pillars: Americanism, Children and Youth, National Security, or Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation.” The competition, accepting submissions from all 50 state-level detachments throughout the country plus from the Detachments of the District of Columbia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and France, showcases some of the best pictures taken of Sons-in-action throughout the entire organization.

The first place in Veterans Affairs award given to Squadron 105 was for a photo of members on-site at the Fisher House in the Bronx presenting “the big check” with a $3,000 donation made earlier in 2023. The second place in Americanism award was for a picture snapped of SAL 105 Vice Commanders Vinnie Ferriole and Ricky Vlasakakis at a flag retirement ceremony. These pictures were shown on the big monitors at the convention hall to the 1,000 attendees present, as well as a number of other submissions from Belleville.

The other award the squadron received was the “Videos of Service” award, which was in its inaugural year. The website explains that ”Video submissions must contain an SAL member or members wearing SAL covers or SAL-branded clothing participating in an activity or event that falls under one of three categories: program support; community engagement; or membership and recruitment.”

This first place award was presented to Belleville for the FOX and Friends First segment they appeared on in late May, on the FOX News Channel. Myers, a Squadron 105 member who also works for FOX News, directed a segment where members from the state-level American Legion family organizations spoke about National Poppy Day. Over 20 members of the Post 105 Family appeared on the five-minute segment in the background, with members of the Passaic County American Legion Ritual Team reading the poem “In Flanders Field” following an interview with NJ Commanders Larry Bishop (2023-24) and Mark Natale (SAL 2022-23), and Department Auxiliary President Colleen Brean-Lopez (2022-23).

“You guys deserve this …you guys work so hard … 105 is top notch,” remarked Natale, who accepted the awards with Squadron Adjutant Myers in Charlotte as representatives of New Jersey. This was the first time, perhaps ever, that someone from Belleville attended the National Convention as a delegate.

Before leaving the convention hall that day, Past Commander Natale and Adjutant Myers were honored to have the chance to take a picture with outgoing National Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Chris Carleton holding the awards.

The plaques will be presented to the squadron at their next general meeting, on 11 September, to be hung at the Post hall.

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.

All three organizations – veterans, Sons, and Auxiliary – are constantly seeking new members who want to work on behalf of our hometown heroes. Please contact the Post, Squadron, or Unit on Facebook to inquire about membership.

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