Commander Tony Laudicina, along with the officers and members of Medford VFW Post 7677 and it’s Auxiliary held their 33st Annual Awards Dinner in the Post Hall. The Post was chartered July 15, 1946.
Following a casual meet and greet, and opening ceremonies, there was a solemn reading of the names of past Post Commanders and past Auxiliary Presidents. Those past leaders were recognized for their service to the Post and to Medford and surrounding communities since 1946.
Four individuals who have given exemplary service to the community were recognized and honored. Two of this year’s recipients were chosen from Lumberton Township. They are: Sean Wyatt – Firefighter of the Year; Doug Daniels – EMT of the Year; Medford Lake Policemen David Pfeifer and Mark McHugh were each recognized as Policemen of the Year. Each of these outstanding individuals was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation.
Next to be honored, were those who have participated in the VFW’s national patriotic speech and essay programs:
The Voice of Democracy is an essay and speech competition for those attending high school. The national winner of the competition will win $30,000. There are other awards at the State and County levels as well. Demetrios C. Capiris (Jimmy) won first place at the Post level of the competition. Corinne S. Kent took second place at the Post level. Corinne, however, took first place at the county VFW level and Third at the State level of the Voice of Democracy Competition. They each received a cash award, along with a framed certificate. It is worth noting that both of these effective speakers are students of Seneca High School and are in Karen O’Neil’s classes,and that Karen is a past recipient of the Medford VFW Post‘s Teacher of the Year Award. We are all very proud of these patriotic high school
For students of middle school age, The Patriot’s Pen competition is a written essay event. The national winner of this competition will win an award of $5,000. Here too, there are awards at the state and county and Post levels. Post level awardees received certificates and cash awards: Adam R. Arnold – of Haines School was a first place winner at the Post level. Second place was earned by Carly Carter, of Indian Mills Memorial School.
Recognition and awards were also presented to educators who have been supportive and instrumental in helping Medford VFW Post 7677 implement these rewarding speech and essay programs. Among those recognized were: Karen O’Neil – Seneca High School; Cathy Campeau – Indian Mills Memorial School; Jen Petagno – Medford Township Schools; Jean Drozd – Olson Middle School; Teresa O’Neill – St. Mary of the
Lakes School. The support of these exceptional educators is much appreciated.
The theme for both of the 2019-2020 competitions is the same. The Theme is: “What Makes America Great?”
Independent or classroom participation by local middle school and high school students in these programs is welcome and encouraged.
Please contact the Medford VFW Post 7677 Americanism Chairman, Cliff Toye at (609)744-3178 or e-mail cliff.toye@gmail.com for more details.
See us on line at: https://vfw7677.org/
For details on the essay and speech programs see www.VFW.org/community/Youth and Education.
