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About The American Legion in Hoboken

by Jennifer Tripucka
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At this moment, 21.8 million veterans currently live in the United States, and in Hudson County, they are approximately 430,000 strong — with about 116,000 peacetime veterans and more than 300,000 wartime servicepersons, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You may remember us sharing the story of one of Hoboken’s most recognizable vets {and the recipient of the People’s Choice Award by the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce in 2017} Vinny Wassman, but what you may not be aware of is that he was part of a wonderful organization called The American Legion in Hoboken.

The American Legion in Hoboken {which opened its doors in July 2019} is a building that includes housing services for up to six homeless veterans as part of one of the first-ever partnerships in the U.S. between homeless veterans and an American Legion Post. Keep reading to learn all about the American Legion in Hoboken. 

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^Vinny + Cole on a walk [Photo: Will Ferman]

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The American Legion, the nation’s largest wartime veteran’s service organization, was created by Congress in 1919 as a way to help those who have served for our country. Its mission is to advocate patriotism and honor, promote strong national security, and honor our fellow service members and vets. In Hoboken, The American Legion Post 107 was created in 1920, and it serves veterans from Hoboken, Jersey City, and surrounding Hudson County areas.

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^The groundbreaking ceremony in 2017 at The American Legion Post 107 [Photo: Phil Fishbein]

About the Groundbreaking

In 2017, the members of the American Legion for the ceremonial groundbreaking at 308 Second Street {near the corner of Willow Avenue} of the American Legion Hoboken Post 107 project, which aims to rebuild and create a veteran community center and a residential building for homeless veterans in Hoboken. In 2012, the post endured terrible flooding during Superstorm Sandy. Since that time, they have requested a partnership with the City of Hoboken to rebuild its facility. This partnership involved the creation of six residential units for homeless veterans — the first of its kind created by an American Legion chapter in the USA — in a new, elevated space that will protect the American Legion from flooding at the ground level.

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Read More: The Damage of Hurricane Sandy

Monarch Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer, secured six project-based vouchers for homeless veterans and obtained project financing through federal grants to rebuild the center. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency {“NJHMFA”}, the Hudson County HOME Funding Consortium and the City of Hoboken funded the project, and privately The American Legion Post 107 raised additional funds to cover expenses such as furniture, appliances, and other amenities for veterans who will reside in these units.

Two years later,  this new space will be officially opening its doors on Monday, July 8th.

A few of the other services The American Legion provides across the country at its chapters:

American Legion Baseball: An amateur athletic program that aims to educate the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship, and fitness to our youth

Heroes to Hometowns: This program is one that connects local Legionnaires with recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing a variety of support activities.

College Scholarships: The Legion raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families and to provide college scholarship opportunities.

If you’d like to donate to their wonderful cause and help The American Legion rebuild, click here

Thank you to all veterans for your bravery and service. We salute you.

Have you joined our Facebook group yet? Request here to gain access to even more local tips, and connect with fellow Hudson County residents.

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