Calling All Combat Veterans: Please join us at VFW Post 7333

Randolph Memorial Post 7333 serves Randolph, Mendham, Mine Hill, Chester and Dover in Morris County New Jersey.

We need your help to:

Honor Our Fallen
Support Our Troops
Celebrate Our Holidays
Fight For Veteran's Rights
Enjoy the Fun and Benefits of Fellowship

If you have served in a foreign war and live in one of those towns please call us at 973-933-2121 or email Bill Menzel at menzel10@aol.com to learn about our programs. Or stop by any Thursday morning at our Post and share a cup of coffee with Quartermaster Dan Gaestel or Commander Angel Soto . You might be surprised at how rewarding a VFW membership can be.

Eligibility: You are eligible to join the VFW if you have received an overseas campaign medal or served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea or ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay.

Veterans Day 2024

We are grateful for the strong support shown for our 2024 Veteran's Day ceremony at VFW Post 7333.

Commander Angel Soto officiated the program and presented certificates of recognition from Senator Booker, Congresswoman Sherrill, and Governor Murphy. State Senator Anthony Bucco's rousing speech was followed by inspiring messages from Assemblywoman Aura Dunn ( presented by Jeff Wood), Assemblyman Christian Barranco, and Randolph Deputy Mayor Joe Hathaway. Major Jonathan Hardin spoke on behalf of the troops stationed at Picatinny Arsenal.

The distinguished guests included Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling, Randolph Township Council members Carey, Thornton, Forstenhausler, and Nisivoccia, Township Manager Poff, Police Chief Harzula, Fire Department Chief Vanadia, Parks & Recreation Manager Russ Newman, and past mayor Jim Loveys. Also attending were Mine Hill Mayor Sam Morris, Mendham Township Councilwoman Amelia Duarte, Randolph School Administrator Jennifer Fano, Director of Elementary Education Danielle Soldivieri, Director of Special Education Walter Curioni, Joanne Beech, and Director of Human Resources Kevin Bullock. Chaplain Deacon Rich Reck's closing prayer was followed by a rifle salute.

The honor guard was commanded by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Niblett and included Vice Commander Bill Menzel, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Paul Monacelli, Captain (Ret.) Vernon Tatum, Ken Lareau, Adam Alexander, and Sam Yuen. Other VFW participants included Senior Vice Commander John Reilly, Adjutant Brian Capo, Quartermaster Dan Gaestel, Jerry Stone, Richard Collari, John Freudenberg, and Matthias Portman.

A haunting rendition of "Taps" played by Ahmed "Sam" Bassam of Scout Troop 53 concluded our tribute. The audience was then invited to our annual Open House, where all enjoyed the famous Sloppy Joes cooked by Alice Knothe. Alice is the widow of Peter Knothe, a prime founder of our VFW Post. We deeply appreciate the many patriots that helped us celebrate. God bless the USA.

Patriot Day 2024

We are grateful for the strong support shown for our 2024 Patriot Day tribute at VFW Post 7333.

Commander Angel Soto officiated the program and gave the moving keynote address that marked the 23rd anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack on our nation. The fine roster of speakers included Casey Doss, representing US Senator Booker, Willy Tolba, representing US Assemblywoman Sherrill, NJ State Assembly members Aura Dunn and Christian Barranco, Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw, Picatinny Arsenal Commander Lt. Col. Craig Bonham II and Randolph Township Mayor Chris Carey. The distinguished guests included Randolph Township Council members Hathaway, Veech, Thornton, Forstenhausler and Nisivoccia, Township Manager Poff, Police Chief Harzula, Fire Department Chief Vanadia, Parks & Recreation Manager Russ Newman and past mayor Jim Loveys. Chaplain Deacon Rich Reck gave the closing prayer followed by a rifle salute. The honor guard was commanded by Lt. Col (Ret.) Steve Niblett and included Vice Commander Bill Menzel, Quartermaster Dan Gaestel, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Paul Monacelli, Captain (Ret.) Vernon Tatum, Jerry Stone, Ken Lareau, and Sam Yuen. Other VFW participants included Senior Vice Commander John Reilly, Richard Collari, Past Post Commander Bob Brembs, Jerry Rubin and Bill Krug. A haunting rendition of "Taps" was played by Ahmed "Sam" Bassam of Scout Troop 53 to conclude our solemn tribute.

We deeply appreciate the many patriots that joined us on this day. God bless the USA.

2024 Randolph Township Freedom Parade

VFW Post 7333 was honored to lead off the 2024 Randolph Township Freedom Parade on July 13th. Shown in the photo are (L to R) Rick Piazza, the owner of the deuce and a half truck, Adam Alexander, Vice Commander Bill Menzel, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Niblett, Commander Angel Soto, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Paul Monacelli, Sr. Vice Commander John Reilly and Sam Yuen.

It was gratifying to see so many patriots stand and salute the colors on our 1. 5 mile march. God bless the USA!

Welcome Home Brunch

Our first WELCOME HOME BRUNCH on June 1st, 2024 was a big success. Everyone enjoyed the hospitality and the food catered by the Randolph Diner was excellent. We had 35 attendees, including Lt. Col. Burgos and his family and friends, Lt. Col. Dittmer (who won the gift basket), Lt. Col. Chaplain Chang, SGM Franks plus Niko Vitoroulis and Claudia Rivera from DEVCOM. Special thanks go to the sponsors that were able to join us for this " Meet and Greet":

Randolph Township Mayor Chris Carey, Councilmembers Lou Nisivoccia and Mark Forstenhausler
Bob Rocco from Provident Bank
Brenda Denure from the YMCA
Goeff and Arlene Price from the Randolph Kiwanis (who donated $200 in the memory of Vance H. Poff, a WWII veteran)
Mary Menzel from Central Property Realtors
Astrid Ramirez and Jimmy Parra from Developer's Mortgage
Paul Monacelli from ADP Management Services

Also attending were Kelly Brown and Kenny from the Warriors Strong UH20 program and Heather Darling, Morris County Surrogate. The County College of Morris, Randolph Rotary, Morris County Clerk's Office were also sponsors.

VFW Post 7333 hosted the event with the pledge of allegiance led by Commander Angel Soto and greetings by

Vice Commander Bill Menzel. The set up and clean up were assisted by Jerry Rubin, Rich Collari, Col. (Ret.) Paul Monacelli and Chaplain Deacon Rich Reck. The event was organized with the help of Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Niblett for the VFW and Captains Boyle and Hueg for Picatinny. The goodie bags included offerings from the sponsors. Notably, ADP Management Services brought wrapped confections from JT Confectioners as shown in the photo of Col. (Ret.) Paul Monacelli holding a tray.

We look forward to making this event a tradition to help build a closer relationship between our military and the community.

For information about future events contact Bill Menzel at 973.945.8507.

Memorial Day 2024

We were honored to perform our Memorial Day ceremony at the Post on May 27th.

As shown in the video Commander Angel Soto officiated the program and delivered the VFW proclamation. Chaplain Deacon Rich Reck gave the prayer and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Niblett was the Officer of the Day. The speakers included Shala Gagliardi from Congresswoman Sherrill's office, County Commissioner Christine Meyers and Randolph Township Mayor Chris Carey.

Distinguished guests included Morris County Commissioner John Krickus, Randolph Township Deputy Mayor Joe Hathaway, Council members Mark Forstenhausler, Joanne Veech, Helene Elbaum, Lou Nisivoccia, Denise Thornton and Randolph Township Manager Gregory Poff. The tribute presenters included Ken Lareau Sr., Jerry Rubin and Scout Leader MaryRuth Lareau.

The color guard included (L to R) Col.( Ret.) Paul Monacelli, Vice Commander Bill Menzel, Sam Yuen and Adam Alexander. Support was also provided by Sr. Vice Commander John Reilly and Rich Collari.

A moving rendition of Taps was played by Ahmed " Sam" Bassam from Scout Troop 53.

We thank all the many patriots who helped us honor our Fallen.

National Day of Prayer

VFW Post 7333 was honored to be the guests of honor at the National Day of Prayer event held at Picatinny Arsenal .

Commander Angel Soto thanked the attendees and invited them to join us for our Memorial Day ceremony on May 27th. Adjutant and Chaplain Deacon Rich Reck delivered an explanation of the National Day of Prayer program that was received with a standing ovation. The rest of the program is shown in the photos and included remarks by Garrison Commander LTC Burgos and CSM Franks and a benediction by Garrison Chaplain LTC Simon Chang.

VFW members attending the event included Vice Commander Bill Menzel, LTC ( Ret.) Steve Niblett and Trustee Richard Collari. It was a great way to pray for our troops and our nation.

VFW Voice of Democracy Awards

VFW Post 7333 is proud to announce that Nicholas Pompeo earned second place at the 2023 NJ state wide VFW Voice of Democracy Awards. Nick, a senior at Randolph High School, received a plaque and was awarded a $4000 scholarship. Nick also won awards at the Post and district levels.

Post Commander Angel Soto stated: "We are very pleased that Nick's entry did so well. The annual VFW Voice of Democracy program is an important part of our mission to support patriotism among our youth and we hope many students will participate in 2024."

Click here for more information about the Voice of Democracy Award.

The 2023 Randolph Township Hometown Heroes banner dedication was attended by over 90 people and it was an inspiring event. We are grateful to the 14 honorees and their families, guest speakers Commissioner John Krickus and Randolph Mayor Lou Nisivoccia, and our banner sponsors for their support. VFW Post 7333 is the key sponsor of the Randolph Township Hometown Heroes program.

The presenters were Vice Commander Bill Menzel, Committee Co-chair and founder Felicia DiFabrizio Smith and Col. (Ret.) Paul Monacelli. The program also featured Post Commander Angel Soto and Acting Chaplain Jerry Rubin. Quartermaster Daniel Gaestel organized the facilities. The honorees included VFW Post members Vernon Tatum, Matt Bozek, Ed Sartorius, Ted Carman, John Freudenberg and our deceased comrades Peter Kenny and Anthony Monfriedo. Special guests included CCM President Anthony Iacono, Township Manager Greg Poff, Council Member Mark Forstenhausler, Parks & Recreation Manager Russ Newman and Morris County Historian Jan Williams.

The event was capped off with a splendid rendition of "God Bless America" by our esteemed comrade Emerson Crooks. The 2024 application form can be found here.

We salute Delia Vince Cruz and Manny Cruz for creating the videos and Mary Menzel for taking photos.