POST HISTORY
Reprinted from the Bergen Evening Record dated September 10, 1919;
"Bogota Veterans May Form Branch of American Legion"
There was good attendance, despite the heat at the meeting of the Bogota World War Veterans on Monday night at the Main street fire house to hear the addresses of Lieut. Col. Wm. M. Mead, of Hackensack and Capt. D. B. Mullikan, of Leonia, and all greatly enjoyed the tales of war experiences given by these overseas veterans.
Temporary Commander Lieut. Victor D. Broman acted as chairman and Leo P. Glasel as secretary. The speakers dwelt in the main on advantages of establishing a branch of the American Legion in the borough among the Bogota veterans, and this met with instant favor.
The subject was thrown open for discussion and among those who spoke in favor were Rev. Stoddard Lane, Lieut. Wm. Forsthoff, August Meier, Sgt. Douglas C. Ross, Alwin B. Craft, A.T. Keegan, P.T. Benson, Lieut. Victor D. Broman and L.P. Glasel.
Fifteen members signed an application for a charter, but a motion prevailed to postpone definite action until a special meeting to be held next Monday, September 15, 1919, at the fire house in order that the opinion of other veterans of the borough may be heard. If the plan meets with approval at this meeting a permanent organization will be affected, a name selected and offices elected. It is hoped all veterans will attend and have a voice in the proceedings.
The permanent Charter was granted February 10, 1921 as Clifford Dunn Post No. 117, American Legion and the Post was incorporated in 1926.
The Post was named in honor of resident Clifford Dunn who was the only one killed in action of the four Bogota Gold Star veterans who gave their lives in World War I.
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Reprinted from the Bergen Evening Record dated September 17, 1919;
"In Honor of Dead Hero..Bogota Veterans Organize Clifford B. Dunn Post, American Legion"
At a special meeting of the Bogota War Veterans Association at the Main street fire house on Monday evening, it was unanimously decided to disband that organization and instead form a branch of the American Legion, the application for the charter having been signed by over 15 veterans of the World War at a previous meeting, to which was added as many more on Monday night.
In absence of Chairman Victor D. Broman, Comrade Stoddard Lane occupied the Chair, with L.P. Glasel as secretary. A number of Teaneck veterans were present and affiliated themselves with the new post.
The new organization will be officially known as the Clifford B. Dunn Post, No 117, American Legion. The boys selected this name in honor of the only Bogota boy who was killed in action in France. Clifford Dunn having paid the supreme sacrifice in the battle of the Argonne on October 8, 1918.
A letter from the National Organization of the American Legion, informed the post that a membership drive was now in progress, starting September 15 and ending October 1. Those who affiliate themselves between now and October 1 will come in as charter members.
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At the February 1923 meeting, the Post suggested and advocated to the Borough Mayor & Council that they name four streets in honor of these veterans.
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Reprinted from the Bergen Evening Record dated March 1, 1923;
"Will Name Streets after World War Heroes"
A number of matters of general interest were given attention by the Mayor & Council Tuesday night, including a request from Clifford Dunn Post, American Legion, that four of the streets of the borough be named after the four local boys who died in the World War, which was received with favor by the borough fathers. Chairman Smith of the street committee, in whose hands the letter was placed, asked for suggestions from the Council and in turn, thought that renaming First, Second, Third and Fourth places with the names of the boys might be in keeping. True, they were small, but it would also help make them distinctive.
Mr. Kroeger felt the streets should be of more frequent use than those named by Mr. Smith, suggesting Cedar Place or Hawthorne Place, for example. Mayor Gerber thought the idea an excellent one if properly worked out. Councilman McCaig was of the same opinion, but he did not favor changing names of older streets. On his motion, the Council will consider the matter until the next meeting.
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This suggestion was acted upon by the Borough, and today there are two North and South Avenues, Dunn Avenue (previously known as Cedar Place) named in honor of Clifford Dunn and Fischer Avenue (previously known as Hawthorne Place) named in honor of Carl F. Fischer; and two East-West Streets, Grey Street (previously known as Highwood) and Kovar Street (previously known as Lookout) named in honor of William F. Grey and Albert F. Kovar. The sign posts were appropriately topped with a plate bearing a Gold Star.
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The first Post Commander, elected in 1919 and re-elected in 1920-1921, was the Reverend Stoddard L. Lane, Minister of the Bogart Memorial Church. The second Commander in 1922 was Dr. P. Ralph McFeely. The Post's first meeting place was the Main Street Fire House, followed by many years in Borough Hall, and a short period of time at the Bogota Boat Club.
In 1945, the Post purchased the “Shaw” property at the south east corner of West Ft. Lee and River Roads, and re-modeled the historic Dutch Colonial home into a club house. This property was sold in 1960, and the post purchased a former soda factory at 229 West Shore Avenue which was also re-modeled in 1961, and dedicated on November 24th, 1962. The bar area within the post home was completely gutted and re-built by Past Commanders Don Bann and Don Walker in 1995. This post home, with membership declining, was sold in 2006 and the Post now meets at the Ralph H. Hall, Post 5561, Veterans of Foreign Wars, located on Leonia Avenue.
Since its inception, the Post has furnished leadership for patriotic observances in Bogota. Armistice Day services were held at the Bogart Memorial Church and the High School auditorium from 1919 to 1943. These services were not considered appropriate during World War II and were discontinued at that time.
In 1924, the Post took over the 4th of July Celebration and cooperated with a Borough Committee to secure subscriptions for the erection of a World War Memorial. The erection of this Memorial was completed by the 4th of July, subsequently dedicated, and a celebration was conducted by the Post which included a parade, fireworks display and a block dance. The Monument still stands at the southwest corner of West Ft. Lee and River Roads and is decorated each Memorial Day.
In 1927, a referendum asking that $1500.00 be placed in the budget to finance an annual 4th of July Celebration was voted down by the citizenry. The Post, however, continued the 4th of July Celebrations until 1938, the last of which consisted only of Flag Raising Ceremony at the Borough Hall.
Since 1920 the Post has decorated the graves of departed Comrades in nearby cemeteries on the Sunday preceding Memorial Day, and more recently on Memorial Day. The Post has also participated in all Memorial Day parades, and in recent years, planned all Memorial Day Celebrations jointly with the Ralph H. Hall Post 5561, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Although discontinued for a time, beginning in 1925, the Post had provided a flag, grave marker, and floral wreath when a member died. In addition, a flag and grave marker was also provided for non-member ex-servicemen when the Post was requested to conduct services. This has recently been restarted for both members of the Post and its Ladies Auxiliary, Unit 117.
For several years, the Americanism Committee monitored the annual Safety Essay Contest in the grade and parochial schools and the Oratorical Contest in the high school. These are both American Legion County and Department programs. In addition, the Post sends resident boys to the American Legion annual "Boys State" program. The Post also had sponsored the Bogota Sea Troop with "Skipper Fred Nobbes" in charge. Their yawl was the "Southern Cross" and was positioned on the Hackensack River near the bend by the railroad tracks.
The Post dedicated a Memorial Plaque listing its deceased members, and also a plaque listing Bogota men and woman serving our country during the Viet Nam Era. From 1986 thru 2006, the Post sponsored an annual "POW-MIA" walk and service which was always well attended by veterans from thru-out Bergen County. More recently this walk and service was taken over by Post 170.
One hundred percent Americanism for God and Country has been the Post's motto for 87 years and its members will serve as needed.
