2023 ACTIVITIES

2023 Activities and News

RIP Ron Kriegl

Post 162 Legionnaire Ron Kriegl passed away on Wednesday June 8 th after a long illness. Ron who lived in Old Tappan, was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Ron was an 11 year member of our post.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memorial Day in HIllsdale

We honored Grand Marshall Guido Borella this year. Click here to see Anthony Derosa's photos of the day.

Memorial Day at HUMC Nursey School

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RIP

Tom Ivancich

Tom passed away after a long illness. He served as an officer and trustee of Post 162 for many years. Known for his presence in our kitchen, Tom also served in the Hillsdale Fire Department. He will be missed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hillsdale PBA Donates to Support Boys State and Girls State

American Legion Post 162 of Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake and Old Tappan received a generous donation from the Hillsdale Police Benevolent Association (PBA) to cover the tuition for two students at New Jersey Boys State and New Jersey Girls State for 2023. At the May 6th Post 162 meeting, PBA representatives were presented with a certificate of appreciation and thanked them for their support. The programs of the New Jersey American Legion (boys) and Legion Auxiliary (girls), are run separately at two NJ colleges, where attendees get valuable lessons in Civics. They create political parties, run elections, appoint officials and pass laws. The competitive programs are viewed as valuable resume items for college admissions. In 2023, due in part to the donation from the PBA, the Post was able to sponsor four young ladies for Girls State and three young men for Boys State. The programs will run in June. They are open to students finishing their junior year in high school. Students interested in attending next year should contact their high school guidance counselors who can coordinate with one of the sponsoring posts. For more information on the programs go to www.americanlegionpost162.org.

Pictured

L to R

HPD Officer Jordan Bruce, Legion Commander Doug Frank, HPD Officer Matthre Soltes.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pascack Valley High School Poppy Drive

Gentlemen,

You set a new record for donations over the last two days. I am sure your excellent PSA had a lot to do with it.

We greatly appreciate the donations, but the most important part of the two days was the opportunity to interface with so many students. I am sure some of them will become members of the military and provide us all with security and our quality of life. Pascack Valley High School is the best. Thank you to Jeff Jasper for his service and this program.

On behalf of the members of Post 162 and the American Legion,

THANK YOU!

Pictured from L to R

Joe Sgroi, Jared Paulen, Ray Kohan, Phil Langner, Jim Shea, Jeff Jasper, Doug Frank

Missing Hunter Hein, Zoltan, Jim Gerbig, Kathy Maalouf

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memorial Day in Hillsdale

2023 Ceremony In Veterans Park

9:30AM

Welcome and Introductions . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .Commander Doug Frank

Posting of the Colors . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .Post 162 Color Guard

Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Msgr. Peter Smutelovich

National Anthem . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . ..PVHS Band

Sung by Samantha Lagrosa

Memorial Day-Proud to be American . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Mayor John Ruocco

Military Banner Program .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Captain Sean Smith

Introduction of Grand Marshal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commander Doug Frank

Grand Marshal . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. .. .. Guido Borella

Placing Of Wreaths For The Honored Dead. .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . ..Scout Troop 109

Reading Of The Memorial Roster ..... . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .Commander Doug Frank

Rifle Salute To Those Honored . . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. .. . .2^nd Rhode Island Vol. Infantry

Taps/Echo .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . PVHS Band

God Bless America. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . PVHS Band

Sung by Samantha Lagrosa

Introduce Poster and Essay Winners . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . Legionnaire Will Tuffy

Essay Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See Reverse of Program

"America The Beautiful" (Words On Back) . . . . . . . . . … . . . . .. . . . . .PVHS Band

Sung by Samantha Lagrosa

Benediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . ..Msgr. Peter Smutelovich

Closing Comments . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. … . . .. . . . . . . . . . Mayor John Ruocco

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RIP Guido Borella

Legionnaire Guido Borella celebrated his 101st birthday at our October monthly meeting. Unfortunately Guido passed away just a few weeks after. He was a WWII combat engineer and the Grand Marshall of our Hillsdale Memorial Day celebration.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As we close the year, I want to share a few of the things we accomplished in just the last few months. Your Post is active in our community and supporting veterans.

In October Post member Scott Pomygalski was recognized as retired from the Army Reserve.

We donated $1000 to the Fisher House and $1000 to the State Commander's project at the Veterans Homes. (From our Poppy Fund)

We participated in the Northern Valley Old Tappan Veterans Day ceremony, Hillsdale Veterans Ceremony and student meetings at Pascack Valley High School.

Hillsdale Ceremony

Northern Valley Old Tappan

In December Past Commander Horvath and Legionnaire Sean Smith offered Photos with Santa to raise money for the local food pantry. We raised $600.

SAL Commander John Hering, Vice Commander Dennis Cesa and his wife and their greyhounds join the Commander and Santa Smith.

In December we also collected letters and cards for the troops. Many local schools and residents combined to supply thousands of cards and letters to about 20 local young men and women who are serving our country both domestically and internationally.

I am joined by George Kritzler, Tom Robinson and Vic Tuohy with the packages ready for delivery.

Thank you to all for making 2023 a strong year for the General Leonard E. Wood American Legion Post 162.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------