VFW-Butehorn Brothers Post 4987

The United States Veterans of Foreign Wars - Butehorn Brothers Post #4987 received its charter on December 4, 1945.

The Bethpage VFW is named in honor of Joseph and Charles Butehorn who died in WW II. Mr. Ralph Amendola was the founder and first commander in 1946. A ladies Auxiliary was also formed the same year and remembered for their cheerful visits to Northport Hospital. The veterans meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. In 1995 a macrhing drum and bugle corps was formed and later achieved state championship with its 80 members. A colonial ancient fife and drum corps was formed in 1958. The groups no longer exist but the community benefited in many ways.

The following information was provided by Mr. Vito Defanis, Quarter Master and Charter Member, of Butehorn Brothers Post 4987. Vito addressed the Central Park Historical Society at their September 1999 meeting about the post proud history.

During World War I there were only three people from Central Park involved in the war. They were: Ralph Amendola, Henry Butehorn, Sr., George Benkert, Jr. (the Farmingdale VFW is named after him). Then came WW II, and 272 people from Bethpage served in the armed forces. Two people well remembered by returning servicemen were Mr. Greco, gate keeper for the railroad, who greeted all with a hug and "glad you are home!", and Ralph Amendola welcomed all with an application to join the VFW.

The post was named Butehorn Brothers Post 4987 after two Butehorn brothers killed in action from Bethpage. Joseph Butehorn, 4th Div. Marine Gunner, who was shot down over the Pacific Ocean, and Charles Butehorn, Army Infantry, was wounded and when he recovered he was sent back into action and was killed. Brother, Henry, flew 40 missions over Italy, and when his brothers were killed he was sent home.

The first Commander, of VFW Post #4987, was Ralph Amendola. The meetings were held in the auditorium of the Powell Avenue School for five years. Later a barrack from Camp Upton was donated and placed on the property on Lexington Avenue, donated by Ralph Amendola, now the site of the Bethpage Co-op Nursery School. They held their meetings here for 20 years. They then moved their meeting place to the PBC Hall on Stewart Avenue. Then to Archie McCord Legion Hall, and presently back to the PAL Hall.

Post 4987 today (1999) has 108 members. They proudly claim over 100 Battle Stars, 17 Bronze Stars, 14 Purple Hearts, 2 Merit Unit Citations, 1 Distinguished Service Cross, 7 Air Medals, 13 Combat Infantry Badges, 4 Distinguished Unit Citations, 3 Presidential Citations, POW, a survivor of Pearl Harbor, to name some of their credits!

The VFW are involved in two monthly meetings, theirs and Bethpage Community Council. They participate in Bethpage Day, Veterans Day at the Community Park, Pearl Harbor Day at Oyster Bay, St. Patrick's Day Parade in Bethpage, Boy Scounts, Annual Citizenship Award, sale of the "Buddy Poppy", Mass for the POW and MIA, Christmas Party for disabled vets, visit the graves at the National Cemetery, participate in the Memorial Day Parade, and are always there to educate flag respect, Americanism and patriotism in schools and community.

The Voice of Democracy and Youth Essay is the VFW's way of educating the children on Americanism. The program was started in 1946 by the National Association of Broadcasters and the VFW honoring 4 national winners with a $500.00 Savings Bond. In 1960 the National Association of Broadcasters wished to end the program, and the VFW and their Ladies Auxiliary continued the program with the cooperation of school teachers, principals, and administrators.

In 1974 the Bethpage Local Youth Essay Competition was organized, and the winners were taken on a bus trip to Valley Forge PA to visit the winter encampment of George Washington and his troops. Over the years the program has grown. It now includes (in 1999) five Bethpage Schools, LaSalle Regional School, and Plainedge School on three different levels. This year (1999) 514 students participated in the program.

Information appeared in the CPHS Newsletter, October, 1999.