St.Anne War Veterans

MISSION=The mission of the Catholic War Veterans is to make the nation aware of the struggle and needs of many veterans, their widows, and children. It is also our responsibility to help protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution of the United States and laws of our government.

As Catholics, we are bound to serve God, and to demonstrate our love and respect for individuals without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin. We must strive to instill in the young people of today a respect for our flag, our national anthem, and for the traditions of our country.

We must remember that the family is the basic unit or building block in our society. We also dedicate our talents and time to serve the parishes in which we are members. We ask the Lord's blessing in providing us with the strength and fortitude to achieve our mission.

HISTORY = In 1935, Msgr. Edward J. Higgins gathered together some parishioners who served in World War I from his parish, Church of the Immaculate Conception in New York, and formed the first Catholic War Veterans post. In July 1940, the Catholic War Veterans were officially recognized as a veterans organization by the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. On August 17, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation granting the Catholic War veterans a Congressional Charter, the only Catholic organization so honored.

St. Anne's CWV Post 1076 was founded in 1946 by Father Anthony J. O'Driscoll, OFM. Father Anthony, a former pastor of St. Anne's, entered the armed services in April 1942, and served as Regimental Chaplain of the 321st Infantry Regiment of the 81st Infantry (Wildcat) Division in the Pacific.

During the post's 60 year history, it sponsored a girl scout troop, drum and bugle corps, established a scholarship program for students to attend Catholic high schools, sold Christmas trees for the welfare fund to help needy veterans, assisting at Saturday Masses at the Paramus Veterans Home, distributing Holy Communion to the Veterans Home residents.

The post remembers its deceased members by offering Masses for them. Post members also hold a special service on Memorial Day by St. Anne's grotto which is followed by a Mass at 8:45.

St. Anne's post is also a member of the Fair Lawn Veterans Council which consists of delegates from the Fair Lawn posts of the American Legion, Catholic War Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The post holds an annual collection drive at St. Anne's to raise funds for their welfare projects .

MEMBERSHIP = A Catholic man or women who is both an American citizen and an honorable discharged veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States of America is eligible for membership in the Catholic War Veterans. An applicant shall have enlisted, been drafted, inducted, or commissioned into any branch of the armed Forces, including its Reserve and National Guard components.

Also eligible are former members of the U.S. Merchant Marine (including the U.S. Army and Naval Transport Service), who served for at least 90 days from Dec. 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945. An individual who has served less than 90 days but discharged because of a disability incurred during the line of duty is also eligible. For an application of further information,