Westwood pays tribute to Civil War vets with GAR plaque dedication

A historic event is set to unfold in the heart of Westwood this Saturday, May 11, at 2:30 p.m. as the town honors its Civil War legacy with a dedication ceremony at American Legion Post No. 206, at 264 Washington Ave. (Image via duvcwgar.org)

WESTWOOD—A historic event is set to unfold in the heart of Westwood this Saturday, May 11, at 2:30 p.m. as the town honors its Civil War legacy with a dedication ceremony at American Legion Post No. 206, at 264 Washington Ave.

The ceremony, organized by the Westwood Veterans’ Council and the Westwood Heritage Society, will unveil a plaque commemorating the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a pivotal organization that provided support and fellowship to Union veterans and widows after the Civil War. Westwood GAR Post 101, chartered Dec. 10, 1885, with 23 founding members, held its early meetings in Odd Fellows Hall before later rotating among members’ homes.

The Westwood post proudly honored Brigadier General Gabriel R. Paul, a distinguished figure from the Civil War, by naming their post in his honor. Despite its eventual deactivation in the 1920s, with its last member passing, the Westwood GAR Post remains a significant part of local history, a testament to the enduring spirit of those who served.

According to Jim Gines of the Westwood Heritage Society, the idea for this commemoration emerged before the pandemic, when James Halloran Jr. of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) Kearney Camp 20 reached out to the WHS. Halloran’s vision to recognize former GAR Posts in northern New Jersey gained momentum post-pandemic with the involvement of the Westwood Veterans Council, American Legion Post, and VFW Post. Together, they crafted a dedication plaque and selected the American Legion Hall, once a Civil War training facility, as the venue for this poignant event.

Gines emphasizes the significance of the event — “This dedication ceremony is a testament to the enduring legacy of the GAR and the importance of remembering our Civil War veterans” — and recommends a web resource, by Anthony Waskie, for learning more about the venerable organization.

Waskie explains in part, “To become a member of the Grand Army, a man must have served honorably in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Revenue Cutter Service (today’s United States Coast Guard) between April, 1861 and December, 1865. He had to have been honorably discharged from the service and have never taken up arms against the United States. Membership was granted after the veteran applied to a local Post and was approved for membership by being voted in.”

All are welcome to the ceremony.

Gines, a venerable and colorful figure himself, told Celebrate Westwood in 2022, in a series on local volunteerism, “I have been volunteering with the Westwood Heritage Society since the early 1990s, when they were planning the borough’s Centennial celebration. Initially, I just went to one of the meetings when they were calling for volunteers. They were in the process of organizing for the Centennial that would be held in 1994, and I just got sucked in…”

Memorial Day activities May 27

The dedication ceremony dovetails with the borough’s Memorial Day festivities, which commence on Monday, May 27 at 8 a.m. with a service hosted by the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department at Firemen’s Park.

Following the service, the town will come alive with the annual Memorial Day Parade, kicking off at 9 along Westwood Avenue. This year’s parade features Grand Marshal Kurt Wolckenhauer and the talented musicians of the Westwood Community Band, promising a vibrant and patriotic procession through the heart of town.

A highlight of the day: the Westwood Veteran’s Council Military Memorial Service at Veterans’ Memorial Park, continuing the tradition of honoring those who have served our country with bravery and dedication.

All local children not participating in organized sports or scouting activities are invited to join the Westwood Bike Brigade. Youngsters can decorate their bikes, trikes, scooters, strollers, or wagons and assemble at Roosevelt and Harrington Avenues by 8:45 a.m. to join the parade. Adult supervision and helmets are required for safety.

The Memorial Day events are proudly hosted by the Westwood Veterans’ Council, with the Contemporaries of the Woman’s Club of Westwood taking the lead on the Children’s Bike Brigade.