Post 70 Nutley, New Jersey

Post 70

Nutley, New Jersey

Post 70 Nutley, New Jersey

About This Post

Post Namesake
On the original charter the name of the Post is listed as "Nutley", the location of the Post
Notable Members
Gerald Hacket was one of the attendees at the March 15-17, 1919 caucus held at the Cirque de Paris where members of the American Expeditionary Force convened for the first American Legion caucus.
What Makes this Post Unique
We are NOT unique. Like all other American Legion Posts, we are veterans who still serve our fellow veterans, our community, state and Nation. The Post has been in continuous operation since it was chartered in August of 1919. Presently ... READ MORE

Photos

HISTORY

1910

CHARTER MEMBERS OF POST 70

Aug 15, 1919
The following names appeared on the Post’s original charter dated August 15, 1919: W. G. Chase, Percy J. Dittig, George C. White, E. J. LeFevre, Carnie Blum, F. H. Woodcock, A. J. Reynolds, Louis O. Ray, T. S. Woodruff, E. W. Nugent, S. B. Croadale, Roswell F. Young, S. W. Coe, Lwellyn M. Pratt, Milton M. Ayares, Abner D. Rutan, J. C. Buxton, Hampton Auld, Harry F. Yerg, C. T. Woodford, Earl Stenson Crawford, A...
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CHARTER MEMBERS OF POST 70
JARVIS C. BUXTON ELECTED FIRST POST 70 COMMANDER

JARVIS C. BUXTON ELECTED FIRST POST 70 COMMANDER

Aug 20, 1919
Jarvis C. Buxton had circulated a petition and had 36 signatures on it before he was able to get the temporary charter which was necessary before an American Legion Post could be organized. Once the charter was issued Mr. Buxton was elected as the Post's first Commander.
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THE FIRST MEETING OF THE POST

Aug 22, 1919
On Friday, August 22, 1919, Nutley Post 70 held its first meeting in the Nutley Town Hall. It was at that meeting that Jarvis C. Buxton was elected the first Commander of the Post. As such, Buxton is considered the founder of Nutley Post 70. At its first meeting, it was decided that pictures of the 17 Nutley men who had made the supreme sacrifice should be suitably framed and hung in a proper place..
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THE FIRST MEETING OF THE POST
BEFORE WE HAD OUR OWN POST HOME

BEFORE WE HAD OUR OWN POST HOME

Sep 19, 1919
Through the offices of Capt. Prout, the men were able to secure the use of the Nutley Public Library basement as a Post Headquarters from September 19, 1919 until the space was needed by the town’s growing library. From July 1, 1925, until July 27, 1929, the Post then met in the Commissioners’ Rooms at Town Hall.
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NUTLEY WELCOMES HOME WWI VETS

Oct 17, 1919
The newly chartered Nutley American Legion Post was instrumental in organizing a "Welcome Home" dinner for returning service members from WWI. This photo from that event along with the program and the banner seen in the background still hang in our Post Home.
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NUTLEY WELCOMES HOME WWI VETS

1920

AUXILIARY UNIT 70 FORMED

AUXILIARY UNIT 70 FORMED

Apr 30, 1920
Through the efforts of Miss Klause, and ex-service Nurse from Nutley, the Women’s Auxiliary of Post 70 was formed. Unit 70 received its charter on November 21, 1922. The Auxiliary has been a staunch supporter of the Post and has been instrumental in many of the Post’s activities.
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POST FORMS DRUM AND BUGLE CORP

Jan 1, 1926
In 1926, the Post created a drum and bugle corps. It was a colorful outfit with blue jackets, golden breeches and highly polished brass hats. Many Nutley citizens will long remember them as they marched proudly around town in all manner of parades. In addition to participating in many Legion parades throughout the state, they also marched in the National Convention parade in New York City in 1937. The Corps was later disbanded due to..
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POST FORMS DRUM AND BUGLE CORP
CHARLES LINDBERGH AND NACA CITE POST

CHARLES LINDBERGH AND NACA CITE POST

Jan 1, 1928
The Legion painted the name NUTLEY on the roof of the Franklin Theater, on the north and south sides. This had been requested by the Aviation Authorities in 1928. The Post was the recipient of a certificate signed by Colonel Lindbergh thanking them for their cooperation. as part of a 22,350-mile flying tour of the US by Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis after his solo non-stop flight from New York to Paris...
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POST 70 GETS ITS FIRST POST HOME

Jan 1, 1929
In 1929 the Post moved into its own headquarters at 507 Franklin Ave. This building, a revamped private dwelling, suited the purposes of the Post well for many years. The building no longer exists but Terrazza Restaurant currently (as of 2013) occupies the site.
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POST 70 GETS ITS FIRST POST HOME

1930

POST RE-ENACTS HISTORIC WWI BATTLE

POST RE-ENACTS HISTORIC WWI BATTLE

Nov 11, 1931
On the evening of November 11 1931, a live demonstration of the Battle of Belleau Wood was held in Memorial Park. Several hundred veterans were involved in the enactment. The demonstration was witnessed by more than 10,000 residents. The battle (1–26 June 1918) occurred during the German 1918 Spring Offensive in World War I, near the Marne River in France. The battle was fought between the U.S. Second (under the command of Major General Omar..
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POST HELPS SAVE MORRO CASTLE PASSENGERS LIVES

Sep 8, 1934
It was during a state convention at Asbury Park on September 8, 1934, that word was received that a ship had caught fire and volunteers were needed. Several members of Post 70 who were at the Convention answered the call. They helped row boats, carried stretchers, aided the cold and needy and set-up first aid stations. The next day, the newspapers blazoned the story of the “Morro Castle” which, on a voyage from Havana to..
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POST HELPS SAVE MORRO CASTLE PASSENGERS LIVES
POST HONORS

POST HONORS "FATHER OF NUTLEY'S MEMORIAL PARKWAY"

Nov 9, 1935
On Armistice Day, 1935, a memorial tablet to Dr. George B. Philhower was erected in Memorial Parkway, near the World War I Boulder, to honor the late doctor, who was the main advocate of the Memorial Parkway that was laid out and dedicated to honor the men of Nutley who served in WWI.
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THE RISE AND FALL OF "THE BRASS HAT" JALOPY

Sep 14, 1937
Accompanying the drum corps on most of its parades was a jalopy known to the members as “The Brass Hat”. It was a cut down Model T, with a huge brass hat serving as the roof. The car was used as advertising for various charitable drives in Nutley. The career of “The Brass Hat” ended during the 1937 Legion National Convention parade on Fifth Avenue, in New York City, when it caught fire and was..
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THE RISE AND FALL OF

1940

FIRST POST MEMBER KILLED IN WWII

FIRST POST MEMBER KILLED IN WWII

Mar 22, 1943
North African Pursuit Pilot Lt. Nutzel, Reported Dead Missing Since March 22, He Is Commended By Air Force Commander (June 25, 1943) -- A letter of condolence from Gen. G.C. Marshall, chief of staff in the war department of Washington was received by William G. Nutzel of Glendale St, this week, on the death of his son 1st Lt. William J. Nutzel Jr., killed in action in North Africa on March 22. The young pursuit..
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WWII WELCOME HOME EVENT

Jun 14, 1946
This photo, taken on June 15, 1946, shows a “Welcome Home” celebration sponsored by Nutley for servicemen and servicewomen who returned from duty in World War II. According to Ed Stecewicz, curator of the Nutley Historical Society and Nutley Sons of the American Legion member, the event was organized by Nutley’s mayor at the time, William Jernick, who appears at lower right in the photo. Jernick regularly wrote letters and sent packages to Nutley residents..
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WWII WELCOME HOME EVENT
POST LEADS THE WAY FOR NUTLEY ATHLETIC AWARDS

POST LEADS THE WAY FOR NUTLEY ATHLETIC AWARDS

Dec 31, 1946
Elmer “Legs” Lawrence, a past commander of Post 70, initiated an annual Athletic Award in 1947 which ran for many years and honored both boys and girls in all types of sports in Nutley.
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POST PRESENTS TOWN WITH WWII MEMORIAL PHOTOS

May 30, 1948
Just as Post 70 did in WWI, Nutley Post 70 of the American Legion presented a picture memorial to the Town honoring its 83 World War II dead in a brief ceremony in 1948. The memorial, which contains photographs of 80 of the servicemen, was unveiled in the public library by Mrs. Mary Hanley of Race Street, former Army nurse and widow of First Lt. John M. Hanley, who was killed in action in World..
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POST PRESENTS TOWN WITH WWII MEMORIAL PHOTOS

1950

POST BURNS MORTGAGE FOR FIST POST HOME

POST BURNS MORTGAGE FOR FIST POST HOME

Jun 15, 1954
In 1954 the Post burned the mortgage for its home at 507 Franklin Ave. Pictured (right to the left) are Dick LeCompte and Russ Mertz .
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POST ELECTS 1st FEMALE COMMANDER IN ESSEX COUNTY

May 13, 1958
In 1958, Mrs. Mary B. Ryan, a former Army Nurse, made Post 70 stand out, when she was elected the first women commander of a men’s Legion Post in Essex County.
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POST ELECTS 1st FEMALE COMMANDER IN ESSEX COUNTY
SQUADRON 70 CHARTERED

SQUADRON 70 CHARTERED

Aug 5, 1958
A Sons of the American Legion (SAL)Squadron was chartered on August 6, 1958. The Squadron continues to operate and provides support for the Post. Marc Bottino is currently the Commander.
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