Post 1776
On Thursday November 12, 2026 members of the American Veterans Association of Washington Twp, Post 1776, participated in Flocktown and Kossmann’s schools flag raising ceremony and other veterans day celebrations.
On Veterans Day November 11 members of post 1776 participated in Veterans Day celebrations at West Morris Central High school.
On November 10, 2026 Washington Twp held their annual veterans brunch. We had a great turnout and wonderful food at the Valley restaurant in Long Valley.
On Wednesday November 4, 2026, members from post 1776 attended a Veterans Day flag raising at the Old Famers Road school. The veterans were also served a wonderful breakfast prior to the fag raising.
On Tuesday, September 22, in conjunction with the Veterans at Heath Village, who we have been meeting with once a month and with the help of Jim Taylor, a resident at the Village, went on a trip to the NJ Vietnam Memorial. Heath Village provided the transportation to and from along with a box lunch.
The Huey is synonomous with the Vietnam War and it is a Bell-HU-1D Huey which served two tours in Vietnam and was restored by many Vietnam Veteran volunteers and was dedicated in 2014. It is preserved to remember our legacy as it was our lifeline for just about everything we did while in Vietnam. You ask any Vietnam Veteran about what they remember about Vietnam, and the first thing they will say will be the heat, the smell, but the very best thing was the sound of the Huey. It has an extremely unique wonk-wonk sound that to this day every one of us stops what we are doing and knows exactly what it coming and its location. We lost approximately 4,000 Hueys in Vietnam along with many of their crew members. They were by far the bravest people I ever met and some of them were only twenty years old.
The sculpture designed by Thomas J. Warren, and it’s probably the most emotional and somewhat difficult part of our tour as Vietnam Veterans. The soldier laying on the ground is white and he has very little chance of survival. The nurse tending to him is Hispanic, and the soldier standing is Black. There are various different meanings for the interpretation of the sculpture but the tour guides stress to all that it represents all races and genders, and we all totally supported each other as brothers and sisters.
I am standing in front of one of the 366 black granite panels that depict the names and dates of death of the men and women who were killed in the Vietnam War from the state of New Jersey. You notice the date as Killed In Action on September 6, 1966. I was pointing out that that name, Stanley D. Pfrommer, was a 1962 graduate of West Morris High School. He was from Budd Lake and went to West Morris prior to it becoming a central high school. We proceeded to go to the November 9, 1967 panel which is for Larry Maysey MIA in Laos, a 1965 graduate of West Morris Central. We then went to panel November 16, 1967 for John Lance Lindaberry, the only military person from Washington Township that was killed in Vietnam. As you can tell by the picture, the black granite panels are reflective and we Vietnam Vets always say that the names on the Wall are telling us to always teach and remember their legacy and never forget.
The group picture. It was my honor to be the tour guide, along with my good friends and Vietnam Veterans Bill “Doc” McClung and Bob Siemer, both combat Veterans of the First Cavalry in Vietnam. Our group which included members of our Post and the Heath Village retirement community had a very good day, and on a personal note, it was the very first time one of the Vietnam Veterans from Heath Village had ever been to any Wall and it was rewarding to him that
On Sept 4, 2026 members of our post participated in the pre-game presentation of the colors for a 9/11 tribute.
On May 26, 2026 veterans from Post 1776 participated in the West Morris Central High School “America 250” ceremony program.
****************************************************************************************
Pre Ceremony Coffee Break
*********************************************************************************
Outdoor Ceremony
Key Note Speaker Major Anthony DeStefano
**************************************************************************
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Observer Tribune Article
WASHINGTON TWP. — Never let it be said that Washington Township veterans lack preparation.
When it looked like the weather wasn’t going to co-operate for Memorial Day festivities, they never hesitated in turning to Plan B which included a typed-up alternate list of activities inserted into the hand out programs.
Organizers didn’t miss a beat by moving the ceremonies indoors to the Community Center. Although it might have been a touch cramped, the Saturday, May 23 event went swimmingly.
The event was sponsored by Washington Township Parks and Recreation and the American Veterans Association of Washington Township Post 1776.
“(Organizers) Bernie (Schettling) and Darlene (Hatcher) are tremendous,’’ said Master of Ceremonies Thomas McBride. “We didn’t make the determination until early this morning that we were going to do it inside. We had a back up plan that worked.’’
McBride enjoyed what was probably his last time as Master of Ceremonies. The long-time Navy officer and Post 1776 Commander has retired from his post with Ed Twomey becoming the new leader.
“I thought it was fantastic,’’ said Twomey who did offer some thoughts during the ceremony. “We were pretty flexible in what we had to do as far as setting up. But the people who showed up were great.
“I think we were used to it from our training in the service. As a veterans group, we have learned to adapt to anything. It was well handled.’’
Washington Township Mayor Michael Marino said a day like Memorial Day was appropriate in talking about the sacrifice of veterans in protection of the country.
“The interesting thing is we are always inconvenienced,’’ Marino said. “It’s cold. It’s rainy, It’s hot. When you think about what they had to endure and their life depended upon them enduring it. It’s amazing and this is another example of it.’’
The keynote speaker was retired Army Major Anthony DeStefano. The long-time communications specialist has been involved in a wide variety of projects ranging from developing satellite circuit systems to helping implement telemedicine in the combat theater.
His speech was at times riveting, focusing on the meaning of sacrifice and in particular the fate of Medal of Honor recipient Ernest Evans and the crew of the Destroyer USS Johnston in what was known as part of the Battle of Samar in late October 1944.
The destroyer faced an overwhelming Japanese invasion force consisting of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers.
Refusing to retreat, Evans and his men boldly charged a superior fleet to protect vulnerable American escort carriers.
Despite severe damage and taking heavy fire, the USS Johnston fought for more than three hours before ultimately succumbing to the attack. Some 187 men perished on the ship that sank in deep water. In the meantime, five of the six escort carriers were saved.
“He would never know the impact of his heroics that day,’’ DeStefano said. “He would never know that to this day his show of initiative against overwhelming odds is still taught not just at Annapolis but at naval academies around the world.’’
The Memorial Day ceremony began with Pastor Jeff Quinn of Valley View Chapel providing an opening prayer.
During portions of the ceremony, the West Morris Central High School A Capella Choir sang “God Bless America”, “Amazing Grace” and “America The Beautiful”.
Schettling, who is the adjutant of Post 1776, acknowledged the township’s fallen heroes.
There was a flag folding ceremony conducted by veterans Larry Oppel, John Groel and Rod Della Salla. The veterans not only folded the flag but explained what each fold symbolized in the ceremony.
Special guests at the ceremony included: Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Township Committeemen Matthew Murello, Larry Bajek and Walt Curioni and Police Chief Jeffrey Almer.
Also in attendance were Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops and representatives from the Knights of Columbus, the Washington Township Police Honor Guard, the Long Valley First Aid Squad, Washington Township Fire Companies and others.
“I thought maybe 30 people would show but when they filled the room I was amazed,’’ DeStefano said afterwards. “The day is not about us. It’s about the people less fortunate than us. We got shot at but they missed. This is about the ones they didn’t miss.’’
On May 22, 2026 the Veterans of Post 1776 attended a flag raising at the Kossman and Flocktown Schools. All the veterans would like to thank all the staff and teachers for their hospitality and a great breakfast.
