Legion post in Wharton to remember its namesake, his war

WHARTON – The William J. Hocking American Legion Post, which is named after a borough soldier who lost his life during World War I, will hold a commemoration today in recognition of the United States entry into that war.

The event will feature World War I artifacts from museums and private collectors and audio and visual presentations from historians and re-enactors will occur throughout the afternoon, according to a press release from the Post, which said historians will share the history of Wharton and nearby towns, Picatinny Arsenal, Morris County, and New Jersey during this period.

Representatives from New Jersey military units, which have a rich history of service before, during, and after World War I, will also participate in the event, the release said.

President Woodrow Wilson went before Congress on April 2, 1917 to ask for a declaration of war against Germany.

Germany’s resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare and its effort to form a secret alliance with Mexico against the United States were cited by Wilson as his reasons for the declaration. The Senate voted in favor of war on April 4, and the House approved the measure two days later.

A year after the end of hostilities, Congress chartered the American Legion as a patriotic veteran’s organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.

The Wharton Post was chartered on April 18, 1928, and named after Private William J. Hocking, a Wharton native, who was killed in action on Nov. 1, 1918, in the Ardennes Forest, France.

The event is free and is expected to run from 1 to 4 p.m. The Post is located at 99 North Main St.