RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR EDWARD J. HIGGINS, L.L.D

In early 1935, Msgr. (then Father) Edward J. Higgins, with permission of his Bishop Ordinary, Most Reverend Thomas E. Molloy of the Diocese of Brooklyn, gathered together a few parishioners from his parish, Church of the Immaculate Conception in New York, who had served in World War I. This group organized the first Post of the Catholic War Veterans (CWV), Post #1, which is a Post of Queens Chapter, Department of New York.  Later that year, the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. 

In May 1935, Father Higgins journeyed to Rome, where Pope Pius XI bestowed his blessing upon the Catholic War Veterans, and blessed the American and Papal flags of the CWV. 

Several years later in July 1940, the Catholic War Veterans was officially recognized as a Veterans Organization by the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C.

Finally, on August 7, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation granting the Catholic War Veterans a Congressional Charter. The CWV became the 59th group to receive a Federal Charter and President Reagan expressed deep admiration for the Catholic War Veterans commitment to serve both God and Country. 

The late Reverend Paul Repchick recognized the need for Catholic war veterans to have their own organization based on faith and patriotism. Fifteen interested veterans attended the first meeting in the basement of the Our Lady of Hungary church. To honor God in all that we do, Father Repchick suggested the name and all agreed on "For God and Country" as the Post name. On December 6, 1945 - 83 men became the charter members of the Catholic War Veterans Post 454 in Northampton, PA.  

On June 14, 1948 a charter was granted to the Home Association. In 1951, the Jewish Synagogue at 15th & Washington Streets in Northampton was purchased for $11,000. Major renovations were begun by members donating their time and talents. During the same year, the Auxiliary was granted a charter. 

Objectives were established: 

For God - to promote service to God and to our fellow man without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin. 

For Country - to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and to commemorate those who served in the armed forces in order to reflect respect, honor and pay tribute to these veterans. 

For Home - to promote the family as the basic unit of our American society; to aid in the development of an enlightened patriotic youth; and to assist veterans, widows and dependents of deceased veterans. 

Americanism, membership, youth activities were developed through the years. Annual retreats, Corporate Communions, All Soul's Day services at area cemeteries, and rosary services for deceased members were and are a part of our Catholic action. Our Welfare programs include visits to the sick and hospitalized veterans, and small gifts presented to members today. Our Welfare Death Benefit fund was established to aid widows and children of our members in the 1960s and continues today. 

The years have flown by and who can forget the annual minstrel shows, the "Top Post in the Nation Award", and the "Outstanding Post in Pennsylvania Award", the Poppy sales, the many Halloween and Memorial Day parades and services at the Memorial plot. The post underwent many renovations throughout all of these years. 

We've had a commander who had held the post for thirteen years who was instrumental in building up the present day Honor Guard, as well as being one of the first posts to have a female commander. 

To all who served as commanders, presidents and officers - we say thank you! To our general membership, we say, "Come to our meetings to give us fresh ideas and to help us remain a vibrant Post". We can always use a helping hand in the many activities we continue to undertake. 

Thank you to all for your support and God bless!

Catholic War Veterans Post 454 can be found actively engaged in the community and our youth as can be found in the following: 

• Spelling Bee
• Poster Contest
• Americanism Programs
• Catholic Action Programs
• Military Funerals
• Replacement of Flags at OLH and St. John's Cemeteries for Memorial Day
• Assisting Scouts in Flag Burning Ceremonies

If you have any interest in partnering with Post 454 in community activities, please click below