American Legion Post 105 gains an auxiliary

The American Legion Post 105 family just got bigger. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 105 received its charter at a meeting in late February, completing an effort that began three years ago.

“We finally got it done, and I’m proud of the ladies who got this going,” said Department of New Jersey President Colleen Breen-Lopez. “It has been a lot of hard work.”

American Legion Post 105 is made up of members from the Belleville, Nutley, Bloomfield, and Newark area. It was chartered in 1919 by 24 residents of Belleville. The Post already has a Sons of The American Legion chapter, which is open to all sons and grandsons of eligible veterans.

The American Legion Auxiliary is made up of the male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion. The national Auxiliary has nearly 1 million members and it administers hundreds of volunteer programs, gives tens of thousands of hours to its communities, and raises millions of dollars to support its own programs, as well as other worthwhile charities.

The newly-chartered Unit 105 in Belleville began with 29 members on its initial roster but added 10 more in its first two weeks, according to a press release from the Post. The chartering process requires the interested group receive an endorsement from its sponsoring Post. It must also have the required number of new members, temporary officers, and a program for molding the group into a cohesive unit that will work on behalf of local veterans and the community.

The effort to create the Auxiliary, which began three years ago but was delayed by COVID-19, reached its conclusion at the February meeting when the charter and charter membership roll were received from National Headquarters.

“You guys are a phenomenal group,” said state Department Membership Chairman Lisa Natale. “And I know you will do some amazing things.”

SAL 105 Adjutant Rusty Myers commended MaryAnn Slaughter, the elected president of the new unit.

“MaryAnn has been the lighthouse keeper over the years with this,” Myers said. “This has started and fizzled, and started and fizzled, but the one constant over the years has been MaryAnn, keeping the ALA dream alive.”

Members from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 366, Auxiliary Unit 70 in Nutley, were among those in attendance to show their support.

“Four years ago we tried,” Post 105 Commander Joe Cobianchi said. “And we tried and we tried. I’m very glad we’re here now. This has been a long time coming. American Legion, SAL, and the Auxiliary …. Together we’re family – the 105 Family.”

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Six women shared their personal journeys of success and struggles during the 2023 Women’s Health and Professional Career Panel held in the high school cafeteria in celebration of Women’s History Month.

The March 21 event was moderated by Kathy Rempusheski, who works for the township as a qualified purchasing agent and Community Development Block Grant coordinator.

The panel featured Stephanie Capil, owner of Cupily Coffee House of Nutley; Betsy Montanez, female college wrestler and referee; Randi Vocaturo, owner of Art and Alphabet Academy of Nutley; Florey Cruz-Cerpa, director of community outreach at Hackensack Meridian Health/Mountainside Medical Center; Virginia Lujano, fitness trainer/corporate wellness, owner of VLu Fitness; and Barb Minemier, holistic health coach and wellness guide at Your Healthy Truth.

The women opened up about their achievements, mistakes, challenges, family, sacrifices and discriminatory encounters, while climbing toward professional and personal success.

Capelli explored many different paths from occupational therapy to food service and spent eight years earning a community college degree until she realized the thing she loved to do most was make coffee.

“I’ve told myself it’s OK to fail,” she said. “Everything led me to where I am now. I have my own business doing exactly what I love.”

In response to an audience member’s question about work/life balance, CruzCerpa said it was important for a person to make time for themselves.

“If you work in healthcare, you know it’s not a nine-to-five job,| Cruz-Cerpa said. “It is 24 hours a day. I have to set the tone and it took me until I was in my 50s to realize that. My family comes first. I love my job, but you have to put yourself first.”

Despite how far women have come over the years, they still find themselves facing barriers.

Lujano believes nothing good comes from allowing such negative thoughts. She never thought there was anything she couldn’t do; if anyone were to tell her the opposite, it just won’t register with her. She also believes if something doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean one hasn’t failed. It’s all part of the journey.

While Montanez has knocked down many barriers in her lifetime, especially to become the first female wrestler at Montclair State University, there is still “so much to overcome.”

Her suggested solution is to “stop labeling strong women as bullies or as bossy.”

When the panelists were asked if there was one thing they could change, Vocaturo said wished she had started her business years earlier. She worked her way into a human resources director position while just out of high school at age 16, and then spent many years in various careers until she had an epiphany to leave it behind and establish a preschool.

“Life is too short,” Vocaturo said. “My advice is to just do it and not wait until you are 60 to do the things you always wanted.”

It took a health diagnosis for Minemier to find a path that not only improved her own health and well-being, but gave her the opportunity to help others through the launch of her business.

Despite doubtful voices in her head, she persevered. She cited ignoring self doubts and keeping going as her biggest accomplishment. “I have been fortunate to always have people in my corner.”

Commissioner John V. Kelly III and the Nutley Department of Public Affairs and Health, in partnership with Nutley schools and the Nutley Women’s Networking Group, put the panel together.

The women’s professional panel has been a longstanding Nutley tradition over the past 20 years.

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