[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11195-11196]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING ALWARD AND HENRY MEEKER POST 2833 AND LADIES AUXILIARY, 
                        VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Alward 
and Henry Meeker Post 2833 and the Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, Kenvil, Township of Roxbury, County of Morris, New 
Jersey, as we commemorate the Post's 75th Anniversary.
  VFW Post 2833 was formed during the winter months of 1932 and 1933 in 
a road stand which is now the office of the Kingtown Mountain Motel. 
Twenty-one other charter members were recruited by Frank Van Houten, a 
Spanish American War veteran, after his move from Paterson, New Jersey 
to Netcong. Mr. Van Houten was previously a member of the Alexander 
Hamilton VFW Post 139, Paterson. Netcong had already formed a post a 
year earlier, but Mr. Van Houten and his recruits from the Netcong/
Succasunna area sought to establish their own Post.
  The Post was named in remembrance of two brothers, Private Alward 
Wilson Meeker and Private Henry Fordham Meeker Jr., who both died 
during World War I. The brothers were sons of Henry F. and Charlotte H. 
Meeker, who operated a general store on Main Street in Kenvil. On Flag 
Day, June 14, 1933, the A & H Meeker VFW Post officially was chartered 
with Frank Van Houten as its first Commander. The Ladies Auxiliary was 
chartered on October 13, 1933. Ruth Hart was its first President.
  On January 12, 1935, Post charter member John Kasweck and Auxiliary 
charter member Margaret Kasweck deeded land for the new Post home. The 
members signed for a bank loan to cover the cost of building materials 
and held fundraisers and dances to pay off the debt. The loan was 
repaid by the early 1940s, so by the end of World War II, returning 
veterans had an established post to join.
  In the late 1960's a merger took place between Alward & Henry Meeker 
2833 and Roxbury Memorial Post 10135, including the Ladies Auxiliaries. 
The Post retained its name.
  During 1988 additions were completed for the Post building, and land 
was purchased for a parking lot. The flag pole was moved to its present 
position at the Post building. Sidewalks and wheelchair access were 
also added, but funds fell short, and loans were once again given by 
members. In the 1990's the Post and Auxiliary joined forces, sponsoring 
spaghetti dinners to meet the obligation of these loans.
  Today, the Post celebrates its 75th anniversary. The members take 
pride in all the service they have provided to our veterans and the 
community of Roxbury Township over many years.
  Madam Speaker, I am privileged to honor the Alward and Henry Meeker 
Post 2833 and the Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars. I urge 
you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members of this 
valuable, dedicated organization for their seventy-five years of 
service!

[[Page 11196]]



                          ____________________