Katarina Slonis, a recent Paul VI High School graduate, unveiled a Vietnam War mural she painted on the façade of American Legion Post 372 in Cherry Hill on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The mural, titled "Honor the Brave," fills one of six dedicated "Mural Walls" on the building at 1532 Martin Ave. Slonis earned the commission by winning first place in the post's 4th annual Youth Art Contest, which carried a Vietnam War theme this year, according to Post 372.
Slonis wove a memorial feature into her design. The mural lists the names of Post 372 Vietnam War veterans who returned home but have since died, along with Cherry Hill service members killed in action. Among them is Kurt Myers, a Vietnam veteran, artist and one of the original contest committee members, who died in 2025.
Post 372 Commander Joe Merimonde said in a Sept. 28 announcement that the contest "was built to connect young artists with veteran history."
"Katarina's inclusion of our Post 372 deceased Vietnam veterans … makes this mural a lasting monument for our Post," Merimonde said.
The Oct. 3 ceremony drew Assemblywoman Melinda Kane of Legislative District 6, a Gold Star Mother and vice-chair of the Military and Veterans' Affairs committee.
Cherry Hill Township Council Member Daniel V. DiRenzo Jr., a retired Cherry Hill Fire Department captain, also attended alongside Col. Ted Gallagher, a Cherry Hill resident who received the 2026 Camden County Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Medal. Members of the fire department and Slonis's family and art teacher were in the crowd.
Slonis is no stranger to the program. The Youth Art Contest launched in 2023, and past themes have honored World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Slonis won third place in the 2025 Korean War contest. Winners earn scholarships and the chance to paint a permanent mural on the post's exterior.
Post 372 has not announced the theme or timeline for the next contest cycle.
Upcoming in Cherry Hill: The fall photography show at Croft Farm is accepting entries. The township has set five sites for its Thanksgiving food drive. Camden County libraries are displaying banned books through Saturday.
