Tribute Wall to Tony Orlando
with Highlights of the
WW II Written Home to him
By Bruce Doorly
During World War II (1941-1945) he played a vital role in keeping up the morale of the soldiers and sailors that were fighting overseas.
He organized the Raritan Victory Club who sent over five hundred packages to the troops. These packages included cigarettes, candy, nuts, socks, and countless other supplies which made a soldier’s dreary life just a little more tolerable.
Their letters expressed their feelings toward “military life”, thoughts of home, the destruction they witnessed, and their genuine thanks to Tony for the “swell” packages they received. They often included their military photos which Tony posted on the walls of his tavern.
That tavern stood at 19 Wall Street. It was officially named The Centennial Tavern, but it was commonly known as Orlando’s. He had opened it right after prohibition in 1933 by converting an abandoned church.
Recently, Tony Orlando’s grandson – Raritan Mayor Don Tozzi - thought that this portrait belonged in the new municipal building. But after all these years – where was it?
After a few inquiries to family members, the portrait was located in a storage facility. Fortunately, it was still in excellent condition.
Soon after the portrait was located, councilman Ken DiGraziano (at a council meeting) made a motion to have a display created for the municipal building about Tony Orlando and the World War II letters. The entire council approved.
In no time the Bongiovi Funeral Home stepped up and offered to pay for the entire display.
I hope that I have done justice to both Tony Orlando and the letter writers with my design.
The display is on the second floor just as one comes off the elevator. It has six famous photos of World War II along the top and the portrait of Tony is surrounded by 14 frames which contain 52 highlights from the letters. A military photo of each serviceman appears next to their quote.
Many Orlando/Tozzi family members were in attendance. Mayor Don Tozzi spoke about the contributions made by his (maternal) grandfather.
It has been said that World War II was Raritan’s Finest Hour.
The small town had over 850 men and women serve their country during this global conflict.
Twenty-four men gave their lives for their country. One, John Basilone, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross.
Four were awarded the Silver Star, twenty-seven the Bronze Star, and seven the Air Medal.
Thirty-four were injured and thus awarded the Purple Heart, and eight were Prisoners of War.
The packages sent by Tony Orlando and the Raritan Victory Club and the letters written home to him are another fine example of Raritan’s Finest Hour.
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| Peter Melnyk | Joe Sian |
Just a sample of the best of these letters are below:
Peter Melnyk of 524 Bell Avenue reflected on the changing priorities that he had now taken on:
“Well Tony baseball season is just around the corner and I guess I will miss it again this year…. I had to hang up my suit just like the other boys did, and play a bigger game. This is one game I am going to win by a big score, a game for Freedom, and we won't lose.”
Joe Sian of 110 W Somerset Street wrote:
“I got a letter from my sister saying that Joseph Spatt of Gaston Ave. was killed in action. I was very sorry to hear that. He was only 19 years old too. That makes the 13th one killed in Raritan. That's a lot for a small town like Raritan. I wish this damn war would end soon.”
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| Michael DeCicco | Frank Kelly |
“The Raritan boys are well represented out here and we are really giving them hell. I hope and pray that it will soon be over so we can all get back home and all the boys get together and really have a good time.”
Frank Kelly of 11 Gaston Avenue wrote:
“I sure miss all the fellows and the town, the more of this world I see, the more I appreciate Raritan.”
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| John Cox | Larry Carnevale |
“Many thanks for the card, letter, and Christmas Package. I assure you all three are deeply appreciated. I realize how busy you are writing to the boys from town who are now fighting in all corners of the globe. They realize it too, and will never forget it.”
Larry Carnevale of 31 Gaston Avenue wrote:
“I received the swell package you sent me and I can't express in words my appreciation… It isn't only the package that made me feel good, but the feeling behind it. I know you people at home are really doing your part and take it from me, you are doing a swell job.”
“To us it meant that the horrors of war were a thing of the past. We received the news with a great deal of happiness. We celebrated by cheering and singing. Most of us went to the chapel and gave thanks to the lord. It meant that we would no longer have to trust our luck. It meant we would soon be returned to our loved ones.”
Tony Orlando retired in 1958. His son ran the tavern until the late 1960s when the family sold the tavern to the Morella family.
Tragically, in 1975, a fire that started in the kitchen spread throughout the building, resulting in the destruction of the entire tavern.
A house stands at the site today. (Perhaps a historical marker should be placed there.) Tony Orlando passed away in 1979 at the age of 86.