West Essex News

Kiwanis Club members John Krug, Dean Konner, Lew Wefferling, Joy Scally, Jessica Almeida, and Patti Krug presented 102 year old Merrill Stern with an award for his seventy years of service to the West Essex Community.  The award, titled the Legion of Honor, recognizes Kiwanians who have been in the club for twenty-five years or more.

Merrill served in World War II in the medical unit, providing immediate triage and crisis care to liberated prisoners in the Nazi work camps. Merrill used to speak at our club meetings about the profound effect these experiences had on his life.  They shaped his enduring commitment to peace, an opposition to war and military conflict, and his support of civil rights and equality.  Merrill sought to bring diversity to the Caldwell-West Essex Club for many years as a result. He also served in the Korean War and was stationed in Japan. Upon returning home from Korea in 1953, Merrill joined the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell-West Essex. He served as President of the Club in 1969. Until the pandemic in 2020, Merrill attended the Club's weekly meetings.

In addition to the Legion of Honor, the Club honored Stern with a Wil Blechman Fellowship, which recognizes individuals who embody the Kiwanis ideal of serving the children of the world and have a profound impact on their community.  

Original source can be found here.