Veterans Honor Roll carries on a tradition

Nov, 18-2009 3:44 pm

By SHAUN SMITH
Staff Writer

VENTNOR – This city has a tradition of recognizing its men and women who have served their country in times of war for well over 50 years.

Their names are engraved on the Ventnor City Honor Roll, which hangs in the Ventnor City Library and Cultural Arts Center at Atlantic and Newport avenues, along with a short written history.

A plaque next to the honor roll, which was dedicated May 20, 2006, relates the rise and fall of the tradition.

The original Honor Roll Board was erected under Mayor Harry Hodson in October 1942 and stood at the corner of Cambridge and Atlantic avenues in front of City Hall.

The James Harvey American Legion Post 144, which is now defunct, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3361 were involved with the original honor roll.

Hodson was commander of VFW Post 3361 at that time and erected the board to honor residents who served in World War II.

“What was different about Ventnor’s was they started putting up names during the war. Other cities erected their honor roll after World War II,” said World War II veteran Russell Smith, who has served as the quartermaster of VFW Post 3361 for more than 55 years.

The original honor roll lasted only a few years before it was destroyed by a hurricane in September 1944.

From there, the VFW took charge and rebuilt it from salvaged remains and went on to maintain it at the same location until 1953, when the board fell into disrepair.

Councilman Stanley P. Swan, who was also a member of the VFW, had the board removed with the intention of placing it in the rotunda of City Hall; however, that never happened.

“Eventually, it just deteriorated and was put in the basement of City Hall until it was decided to honor the veterans,” Smith said.

A new honor roll was commissioned. It was dedicated by Mayor Timothy Kreischer and Commissioners Joseph Schafer and Sandy Vespertino on Armed Forces Day, May 20, 2006 and was unveiled June 16, 2006.

Mounted on the wall next to it is plaque containing the history of the honor roll. It reads, “The Honor Roll Plaque represents the City of Ventnor’s fulfillment of that promise made 53 years ago to honor the men and women of Ventnor City who served their country with ‘Honor and Distinction’ during WWII.”

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