Posted on

New Commander Veterans Association

Twomey takes command at Washington Township Veterans Association

  • By MARK KITCHIN Staff Writer
  • Jan 12, 2026 Updated 22 hrs ago

 

Ed Twomey is the new Commander of the American Veterans Association of Washington Township Post 1776. He replaces Thomas McBride who stepped down after eight years in the position. This picture of Twomey is from a Veterans Day presentation given at the Washington Township Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.

Photo by Mark Kitchin

 

WASHINGTON TWP. – It’s next man up for the American Veterans Association of Washington Township (AVAWT) Post 1776 office of Commander.

Long Valley’s Ed Twomey was selected the Veterans organization’s leader in December and began his new role on Jan. 1. He replaces Thomas McBride who steps down after eight years at the helm.

Twomey joined AVAWT Post 1776 in 2018 and served as adjutant for the past two years. According to a biography supplied by the organization, Twomey served in the Army from 1966-68. He was trained as a communications specialist, specifically a teletype operator.

Twomey served with the 1st Infantry Division from October 1966 to October 1967 at headquarters base in Di An, South Vietnam, located 12 miles north of Saigon. He was assigned to the 121st Signal Battalion and worked primarily in the Divisional Communications Center on base.

McBride, who is a Navy veteran, took over in Jan. 1, 2018 after the death of WWII fighter pilot Marty Fleisher.

The AVAWT, Post 1776, consists of veterans of military service, during war and peace, with a purpose of keeping the service and history of veterans “alive”.

Members of the organization regularly speak to local student classes about their first-hand experiences in the military from WWII to the present. They also provide color guards for various events. The group is also engaged in charitable contributions for needy residents and students, and are dedicated to uphold and support the quality of life in America.

The group meets at the Long Valley Senior Center on East Springtown Road, in Long Valley on the second Tuesday of each month.

For more information, visit www.avawt.org.

Posted on

Cucinella School Veterans Day Celebration

On November 12. 2025 Post 1776 participated in a  Flag Raising at the Cucinella School.  Following the Flag raising the veterans broke up into groups and visited 5th Grade Classrooms for question and answer time.  Breakfast & Refreshments were offered to the veterans following classroom presentations.

Posted on

Scholarship For Honoring Fallen Soldiers

West Morris Central Senior Awarded Scholarship For Honoring Fallen Soldiers

Lucas Rowland is the second recipient of the American Veterans Association of Washington Township scholarship.

Jack Slocum's profile picture
Complements of:    Jack Slocum,Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thomas McBride, Commander of Post 1776, AVAWT, presents Lucas Rowland with annual scholarship.
Thomas McBride, Commander of Post 1776, AVAWT, presents Lucas Rowland with annual scholarship. (American Veterans Association of Washington Township)

CHESTER, NJ — A West Morris Central High School senior was recently honored for his respect for fallen veterans. The student, Lucas Rowland, was awarded a scholarship from the American Veterans Association of Washington Township (AVAWT).

Rowland is the second recipient of the $1,000 scholarship since the AVAWT started the program last year. Thomas McBride, Commander of Post 1776, AVAWT, presented the award to Rowland during a ceremony at the school last week.

Scholarship applicants are tasked with writing a 500-word essay that “captures the tremendous sacrifice demonstrated by a fallen veteran.”

Rowland’s essay focused on his two grandfathers, one from the Navy and one from the Army, who both served in World War II. According to the AVAWT, Rowland recalled his visits to the Normandy beaches as a child, where his mother described the sacrifices made there.

“The veterans of the AVAWT are honored to make our scholarship award to Lucas,” McBride said. “The sentiments he expressed in his essay about his grandparents and all fallen heroes were truly inspiring.”

Rowland will be continuing his education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he intends to major in psychology.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.