Local officials gathered at American Legion Post 372 late last month to celebrate the completion of a World War 1-inspired painting by Cherry Hill West junior Emily Davidson, who won first place in the post’s first art contest.
The competition earlier this year was open to students at East, West and the alternative high school. Post Commander Joe Merimonde, also known as Grizz, hopes Pennsauken High can be included, too.
Painted on the far left section of the post’s building is a bright red poppy with black and white soldiers, a field of white crosses and scenes from New York’s celebration of the war’s end in 1919. The idea for a mural came about three years ago, as members of the post contemplated ways to liven its walls.
“We came up with the idea of each section depicting an era of the wars,” said Merimonde. “Since the American Legion was created by several WW1 veterans, we figured we should start with World War 1.”
Davidson worked during spring break to create the original piece, and earlier this summer, she was tasked with recreating it on the post wall. She got help from her West 2D art teacher Amy Giampoala.
“I wanted this to be perfect,” Davidson acknowledged. “This is such an important thing to me, to the people of the American Legion, and I wanted to make sure it would turn out as amazing as possible.”
Mayor Susan Shin Angulo, an art contest judge, expressed her appreciation for the piece and acknowledged Davidson’s hard work.
“To see this unveil after (choosing it), it’s just amazing,” she observed. “And to talk to her about it, she said it took the entire spring break to draw this and display it. So it is all that time and effort that she put into it that makes it so meaningful, and this is what Cherry Hill is all about, meaningful representation.”
At the unveiling, Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane presented two proclamations, one to Davidson and the other to the American Legion. Kane is a Gold Star mother and has several connections to the military.
“The symbolism of the poppies is probably not lost on anyone here,” Kane pointed out. “Anyone who has a connection to the military, an interest in history or what’s going on in the world, will understand the history of the poppies and its symbolism with World War 1 and continuing losses within our country.”
Ted Gallagher, director of the county’s Veteran Affairs department, praised both the art and the American Legion members for finding ways to engage the community.
“It’s not the greatest thing to go and pay tribute to the wars, but we have so many people that have given their lives and protected in all of the things and freedoms we hold very dearly,” he noted. “And painting a mural dedicated to WW1, WW2, Korea and other wars – hopefully we end the wars and we don’t have to repeat these in the future – but it’s great.
“It’s a commendable partnership with the students here in the community.”
