Civil War Flag Bearer Turned Tide of Bloody Battle at Petersburg
At sunset on June 15, 1864, 27-year-old James B. Woby, born and raised on Church Street in Allentown, NJ charged up a hill outside of Petersburg, Virginia in what was described as “a blizzard of Rebel bullets.” As his regiment’s color bearer, Woby was armed only with the Regimental flag, emblazoned with the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis” – “Thus always to tyrants.”

Join us on Saturday, February 21, 2026 for “The Story of James Woby – Allentown Native & Civil War Hero” beginning with a pasta dinner at 5 pm in Allentown Methodist Church, 23 Church Street in Allentown, NJ. There is a suggested donation of $5. 

Miraculously, Woby survived and reached the top of the Confederate earthworks – which had been built with slave labor weeks before.  The startled defenders saw Woby and fled. Woby’s fellow soldiers of the 22nd Colored Infantry took heart from his amazing heroism and swarmed over the Confederate defenses.

Many heroes of the Civil War’s longest battle – the Siege of Petersburg – were honored, but Woby, although recognized in the press at the time for his gallantry, was not. Now, TAVI is working to bring Woby the long-overdue recognition he earned on the battlefield 162 years ago. TAVI is engaged with the offices of New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim to secure Woby’s posthumous nomination for a Medal of Honor, first established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 to honor extraordinary Civil War service. TAVI’s work on behalf of Woby follows its successful effort last year to establish the birthday of Allentown native Marion VanOrkey – May 18th – as “Six Triple Eight Day” in New Jersey. Legislation creating the holiday was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy last spring.

TAVI’s James Woby program is part of TAVI250, a year-long series of events celebrating America’s 250th birthday, made possible by funding from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners, as well as the support of First Commerce Bank and Fulton Bank.

Ceremony to honor 27 NJ African American women for WWII service
On Sunday, May 18, 2025 beginning at 3 pm New Jersey will, for the first time, officially honor the 27 African American women from across the State who served in the 6888th Central Postal Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps. during World War II.  The women received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022 for clearing a backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail to and from 7 million U.S. servicemen fighting in the European Theater of World War II in just three months during 1945. The 855 women of the “Six Triple Eight” were the only African American women to serve in Europe during the war.

The ceremony on May 18th will take place at the grave of Marion VanOrkey, an Allentown, NJ native who was a member of the Battalion and whose story prompted The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) to seek passage of a bill designating every May 18th as “Six Triple Eight Day” in New Jersey. Ms. VanOrkey rests in Allentown Methodist Cemetery, located at the corner of Hamilton & Broad Streets in Allentown, NJ. She was born on May 18, 1914.

State Senator Shirley Turner, president pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate, sponsored the bill and will attend the ceremony.  The bill was recently signed into law by Governor Philip D. Murphy. The ceremony will also be attended by members of Ms. VanOrkey’s family, who still live in the community. 

The public is welcome to attend this free event sponsored by TAVI, a volunteer community service organization dedicated to historic preservation, the arts and support of our small business community. For more information visit www.allentownvinj.org. or email [email protected] .
 
Contact:
Michael McCormick
(609) 208-9991
[email protected]

Marion VanOrkey was an Allentown High School student when in 1941 the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor and entered World War II. Like many of her peers, she wanted to serve, but opportunities for black women were limited. In 1943 she enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps. – WAC – and was assigned to the 6888 th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The “Six Triple Eight” as it became known, was charged with delivering over 14 million pieces of mail to 7 million U.S. servicemen and civilian personnel stationed in Europe at the end of the war – A seemingly impossible task that was accomplished by 855 African American women in just 3 months – the only African-American women to serve overseas during the war.

In 2022 the women of the Six Triple Eight were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal – the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States. Allentown’s own Marion VanOrkey is among the recipients, but unfortunately she passed away in 2004 at the age of 89.

How did these amazing women accomplish their mission? Join us on February 22, 2024 to find out when TAVI presents “You’ve Got Mail – The Story of Marion VanOrkey and the 6888th
Postal Division.” The program begins at 6 pm in Allentown Methodist Church at 23 Church Street with a pasta dinner (donation $5). Please register to attend by emailing [email protected].

The program is made possible in part by a grant from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.
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TAVI (The Allentown Village Initiative) is a 501(c)(3) volunteer driven group which is working diligently to improve the quality of life in and around Allentown. Visit www.allentownvinj.org today to learn about – and become a part of -- TAVI’s many ongoing projects. Call (609) 208-9991 if you need more information or email [email protected]

The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) is pleased to present the 2024 “Great Christmas Light Driving Tour” for Allentown and Upper Freehold. Residents are invited to register their decorated homes at the TAVI website to be included in an online map of decorated homes in the area. The map will be posted on the website beginning December 1, 2024 and will be updated throughout the month. With activities and travel limited, the Great Christmas Light Driving Tour offers a free, safe way to spread and enjoy some much-needed holiday spirit.

Participants are invited to begin their tour at the McCormicks’ home, located at 153 Route 526, Allentown, NJ 08501. While the McCormicks have been decorating for Christmas for many
years, this year’s completely outdoor, drive-thru display features a Christmas Village, nativity scene, over 100 decorated trees and, for the first time, about 100,000 lights spread over three acres. All are welcome to visit Monday – Thursday, 5-9 pm and Friday – Sunday 5-10 pm beginning in early December. There is no charge; canned goods for the Allentown Food Pantry are gratefully accepted. The inside of the McCormicks’ home – featuring another 100 decorated trees – will be open for free tours on dates to be announced after Thanksgiving.

For more information, please call (609) 208-9991. TAVI wishes everyone a very happy, safe, and healthy holiday season.

Hometown Hero -- AHS Alum Nominated for Congressional Gold Medal!
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Jeff D. Johnson grew up in Allentown, graduated from Allentown High School in 1941, and like many young men of “The Greatest Generation,” went off to war. As an African American, however, Johnson faced additional challenges in his quest to serve. Undaunted, he became one of the first African American Marines, training at Montford Point in North Carolina, and fighting in key battles of the Pacific Theater like Okinawa, Guam and Iwo Jima. 

Now Johnson’s service, like that of many other Montford Marines, is being recognized by the U.S. Congress.  He has been nominated to receive a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian award. 

TAVI is proud to present the story of Jeff Johnson and his fellow Montford Point Marines in a special Black History Month presentation, “A Few Good Men” on Saturday, February 24, 2024 beginning at 6 pm in Allentown Methodist Church, 23 Church Street, Allentown. Mr. Kelly Atkinson, president of the New Jersey chapter of the National Montford Marines Association will share this remarkable story. The program begins with a pasta dinner ($5 suggested donation). Register at www.allentownvinj.org 

TAVI (The Allentown Village Initiative) is a 501(c)(3) volunteer driven group which is working diligently to improve the quality of life in and around Allentown. Visit www.allentownvinj.org today to learn about – and become a part of -- TAVI’s many ongoing projects. Call (609) 208-9991 if you need more information or email [email protected] 
 
“A Few Good Men” is part of TAVI’s “Allentown Arts” program showcasing the history and talent of our community. Allentown Arts is made possible in part by a grant from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.