About Gold Star Post
The American Legion is national veteran service organization based upon four pillars of service: Americanism, National Security, Children and Youth and Veteran Rehabilitation. Gold Star Post No. 1365 received their official charter in February of 1947 and is located in the Staten Island community of Travis. Locally, the post participates in Children and Youth scholastic award programs such as the high school oratorical contest, Boys State program and graduation recognition ceremonies. Patriotic programs include participation in interfaith and memorial parades and services. Our service officers are here to assist veterans in the filing and adjudication of veteran claims and to assist family members in time of need. Charitable contributions contribute greatly to the success of our programs.
Post Namesake
Gold Star Post. So named to honor 8 Gold Star families in the community of Travis in Staten Island, New York. Joseph M. Killimayer, William J. Kalita, Andrew R. Kovalsky, Anthony W. Deering, Michael P. Rogolewich, John S. Crabb, Frank H. Ball and Frank S. Tokarzewski lost their lives in World War II.
Post Officers
Mark Kelly, Commander
Frank Saladis, Vice Commander
Michael Marra, Vice Commander
Robert Motisi, Vice Commander
Vanessa Tavitian, Vice Commander
Paul Cempa, Vice Commander
Frank LaMarsh, Adjutant
Paul Dietrich, Treasurer
Bruce Lieberman, Master Sgt. at Arms
Roger Tague, Sgt. at Arms
What Makes this Post Unique
Gold Star Post was chartered by WWII veterans in 1945 and so named to honor the service and sacrifice of BM2 William J. Kalita, USN, MIA (declared dead January 12, 1944); Tech4 SGT. Andrew R. Kovalsky, USA, KIA; PVT. Michael P. Rogolewich, USA, DOW (Died of Wounds); MM1 Joseph M. Killimayer, USN, MIA (declared dead November 14, 1943); PVT. Anthony W. Deering, USA, DOW; John S. Crabb (Information not listed); PFC Frank H. Ball, USA, DNB (Died Non-Battle); and Tech SGT Frank S. Tokarzewski, USA AF, MIA (declared dead January 11, 1946), Eight Young men from thee Travis community who lost their lives during WWII.
On Sunday June 27, 1948, a WWII memorial was dedicated on the St. Anthony’s rectory grounds at Victory Boulevard and Shelley Avenue at 2:30 in the afternoon under the auspices of the Travis War Memorial Committee consisting of members of Gold Star American Legion Post 1365, Blazing Star VFW Post 1574 and their respective Auxiliary Units.
Charter member Steven Chakwin was elected to serve as the first post commander. In June 1993, PPC Joseph Chociemski, Jr. became the first member of Gold Star Post to be elected Commander of the Richmond County American Legion and also holds the distinction of being the first member of Gold Star post to be elected Department of New York 2nd District Commander. Since Chociemski’s election, Gold Star post has produced several County, District and Department Commanders.
In July 2014, Frank J. Peters was the first member of Gold Star Post to be elected Department of New York Commander.
In July 2016, Francis A. LaMarsh became the first member of Gold Star Post to be elected Department of New York Vice Commander.
In 2018, under the direction of membership chairman Paul Dietrich, Gold Star Post membership exceeded 300 members; making Gold Star the Largest American Legion Post in New York’s 2nd District.
In July 2021, Francis A. LaMarsh became the second member of Gold Star Post to be elected Department of New York Commander.
Gold Star American Legion Post 1365 is located at 17 Cannon Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10314. The Post is also the meeting place for the Blazing Star VFW Post 1574, The Travis Forth of July Parade Committee, Inc. and the Travis Civic Association. The Post attends Flag Day and Graduation Ceremonies at Public School 26, an elementary school in the community, participates in the annual Travis Fourth of July Parade and hosts an annual children’s Christmas Party. The post also supports county, district and department committee events, such as the county’s Interfaith and children and youth breakfast events, Memorial Day and Veterans Day Mass, parades and ceremonies.
Gold Star Post 1365 