Visit to West Morris Central High School

Post 1776 started our visit with some refreshments followed by  discussions with the students at West Morris Central High School in classrooms or in main room.

Below is the program  of the days events.

                             

 

Below pictures compliments of:

Kelly Duddy

Teacher of French, History, & ESL

West Morris Mendham/Central

Kossmann & Flocktown Schools

On November 8, 2022 post 1776 participated  in a Flag raising event  at the Kossmann School  followed by a similar event at the Flocktown School. After the event at Flocktown, we had a discussions with the fifth grade classes.

Below  is an article and pictures from the Nov 10, 2022 edition of the Observer-Tribune (Washington Township)

WASHINGTON TWP. – It’s tough to tell who benefits more when Long Valley veterans visit the Washington Township elementary schools, the students who learn from them or the veterans themselves.

About a dozen veterans from American Veterans Association of Washington Township Post 1776 held a double flag raising on Monday morning at the Flocktown-Kossmann school on Flocktown Road. It was one of several events the veterans have been involved in last week and this week leading up to Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11.

“We get a renewed sense of patriotism every time we see the kids assembling for the pledge of allegiance or patriotic songs,’’ said Army Veteran Tim Kelly. “It fills our heart with a great deal of joy.’’

Monday’s visit started with an outdoor assembly in front of Kossmann the K-2 school that included a poem by school Principal Michael Craver about Veterans Day, a flag raising conducted by veterans and students, the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the national anthem and “My Country Tis of Thee, by a group of students led by music teacher Jeanne Fessenden.

That was followed by a similar assembly in front of Flocktown School for third, fourth and fifth graders. Afterwards, the veterans talked about their years of service and experiences in the military in front of several classes of fifth graders in the school’s music room. The discussion was conducted by the veterans group commander and Navy veteran Thomas McBride.

“The questions are similar every year but it shows a depth of understanding at their level,’’ Kelly said. “A depth of understanding of what the military offers the country. The protection we afford the country. The sacrifices that we made.

“We are delighted with their curiosity. This is the next generation of patriots,” he said. “Our mission is to help young people understand freedom is not free. The only way that we maintain being a free country is by having a strong military.’’

Busy Schedule

The American Veterans Association of Washington Township includes members from all branches of the United States Armed Forces. Traditionally they keep very busy this time of year, and 2022 has been no exception.

On Wednesday, Nov. 2, veterans placed or replaced flags on veteran’s graves at the Washington Township. Cemeteries in preparation for Wreaths Across America, the national event, which occurs in mid-December. On Thursday, Nov. 3, they were at Old Farmers Road school and on Friday, Nov. 4, they were at the Cucinella School for flag raisings and question and answer sessions with students.

On Wednesday Nov 9, they will meet at West Morris Central High School in the morning for a discussion with the student’s history club. The following day, the annual veterans brunch was scheduled at the Valley Restaurant in downtown Long Valley. On Friday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the veterans were invited for an afternoon of dessert and coffee at Heath Village on Schooley’s Mountain Road.

“It’s just a blast being with these guys and seeing this interaction between real people and the kids,’’ Washington Township Mayor Matt Murello said. “That brings it home for the kids to see people in the community that are actually veterans.’’

Murello attended both flag raisings and is a big supporter of the veterans group. He said in his talks with other mayors over the years, he has discovered the veterans and the town have created a unique bond most towns don’t enjoy.

“There are not many towns that do this type of interaction with veterans that actually live in town and have kids in the school system and the schools,’’ Murello said. “It’s a really nice thing because it kind of brings what the veterans have sacrificed back to home. The kids see these veterans as their grandparents and friends of their grandfathers.’’

Flocktown-Kossmann Principal Craver said that aspects of what the veterans represent can be found in the curriculum. Because of the pandemic, the veterans limited live visits to the schools for a couple of years. This year’s visit was the closest they have gotten to getting the event back to pre-Covid levels.

“It’s amazingly important for the students to know what the veterans have done for our country,’’ Craver said. “They take for granted, we all do, just coming to school and enjoying our freedom.

“Maybe not all of them understand it, especially the little ones. It’s good to plant the seed. They know that there were some important people at their school today that mean a lot to us and the community and our country.’’

Most of the Veterans that attended were from the Vietnam Era and served during the 60s and 70’s. Only a few saw actual combat overseas. The oldest was Don Cable, a Navy man who served during the Korean War from 1951-1955. The students had numerous questions for the group during the discussion session, including what ships veterans served on and if they ever rode in a tank. Answering that latter question was Township Committeeman Ken Short,  who served in the Army National Guard from 1971-1978. The answer, by the way, was that the tanks were very noisy and not air conditioned at that time.

Other questions included, what are the different branches of the military? What are those little squares (badges) on your uniform? Why did they use Morse Code? What is it like to be drafted? Does everyone go into combat? How many people are on an aircraft carrier? Is the USS Intrepid still in New York? Have you ever met a prisoner of war? The veterans did the best they could to supply the answers and many questions turned into conversations which helped the students and veterans connect.

“The questions are great,’’ Kelly said. “We are speaking from the heart and from our experience as being in the military. We represent most of the segments of the military. We speak from our experience. We are here (speaking) because we are volunteers.

“Nobody makes us come here. We do it out of love of country and to help the young people understand that the United States is the greatest country in the world because of young people like them who grow up and want to serve the country in the military or in some capacity.’’

RIP Michael W. Knudsen (1951-2022)

Michael W. Knudsen, 71 of Hackettstown, NJ, passed away at home on September 19, 2022. Born in Dansville, NY, Michael was the son of the late Oscar & Alice Price Knudsen. Michael grew up in Hornell, NY, four days after his High School graduation he joined the United States Navy. After his service to the U.S. Navy, he began his working career as a mason then moved on to driving a truck for the former Welsh Farms of Long Valley, NJ. Michael later established Knundsen & Son Trucking, a tractor trailer hauling business. His final career was with the Morris County Road Department from which he retired several years ago.

Michael was a member of the Chester NJ. American Legion and AVANT Post 1776 of Long Valley, NJ. and attended Highlands Presbyterian Church, Schooley’s Mountain, NJ. Since his retirement, Michael and his beloved wife of 51 years, Anna have enjoyed travelling and enjoying their winter home in Fort Meyers, Fla.

In addition to his beloved wife Anna, Michael is survived by one son Paul Knudsen (Candice) and one daughter, Kristina Wohlers (Jason). Three loving grandchildren, Kailey, Alexis and Jason, Jr.

Alvin C. Guenther, Jr. (Dec 14,1947- May 27, 2022)

On May 27, 2022,  Post 1776 lost one of their brothers, Al Guenther.

Alvin C. Guenther, Jr., 74, of Califon, NJ, passed away on Friday, May 27th, 2022, at Morristown Medical Center with his wife and children by his side. Alvin was born on December 14, 1947, in Newton, NJ to the late Alvin C. Guenther, Sr. and Lillian (Dinkowitz) Guenther. He graduated from West Morris Central High School in 1966 and later earn a bachelor’s degree from the Rutgers University. At Rutgers, he was able to have the special experience of attending the same school at the same time as both his daughter and son. He bravely enlisted during the Vietnam War and served from 1967-1968 before being honorably discharged.
Alvin had an accomplished 45+ year career as a Real Estate Broker, having most recently worked for Weichert in Chester, NJ. He was not only a Broker/Sales Representative, but he was also a member of MIRM, New Homes Specialist, Weichert Million Dollar Sales & Marketing Club, NJAR Million Dollar Sales Club (1984-1985), and the Quarter Century Club. He was a member of the Washington Twp. Veterans Association and the American Legion in Chester. His passion in life was buying and restoring classic cars. Some of his favorites were his 1955 and 1957 Chevys. He also enjoyed attending car shows across New Jersey.
Alvin is survived by beloved wife of 49 years, Maureen (McAvoy) Guenther; two devoted children, Kelly Bauks and husband Tim, and Jeff Guenther and wife Stephanie Wilson; four cherished granddaughters, Kaleigh, Lauren, Brier, and Piper; and by his siblings, Patricia Lunger, and John P. Guenther; and by many other loving family members and friends.
Alvin’s Life Celebration will include a visitation on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022, from 4pm – 8pm at the William J. Leber Funeral Home (908) 879-3090, 15 Furnace Rd. (corner of Route 206) Chester, NJ 07930. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 12noon at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Pequest Union Cemetery in Independence, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans by visiting www.dav.org

Alvin C. Guenther Jr.