A Television Show About World War II Changed John Post's Life

John Post, a Mountainside resident for 45 years and the borough's municipal attorney, credits a television series with changing the direction of his life. Growing up in Puerto Rico until age 10 before moving to Westfield, Post watched Victory at Sea, a World War II series. One episode about the Marines' campaign on Guadalcanal left an indelible mark. "I think I admired what those guys had done so much that I decided if I ever went into the service, I would join the Marine Corps," Post recalled.

Union County Life covers Mountainside residents and the stories of those whose service and careers have shaped the community.

That childhood inspiration became a commitment. While a freshman at St. Peter's College, Post joined the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class as an alternative to required Army ROTC. The path was not easy. Candidates trained during two six-week summers in Quantico, Virginia, enduring demanding physical conditioning. "I would say the washout rate was probably 20%, 25%," Post said. He persevered through grueling hikes carrying 70 pounds of equipment through Virginia terrain—a test of both body and will.

After college and law school, Post completed Officer Basic School at Quantico and legal training in Newport, Rhode Island. He became a Marine lawyer, a role that combined his legal training with military service. When orders came to deploy to Vietnam, Post went—first stationed in Chu Lai, about 40 miles south of Da Nang.

Vietnam was not abstract. Post experienced combat situations directly. During one flight, a helicopter's engine failed mid-air. The pilot restarted it successfully, but the moment lingers in memory—the understanding of how quickly life hangs in balance. "I had friends that got killed," Post reflected on his service. The wars that seem distant in documentary footage were intimate and personal for those who were there.

Returning to civilian life, Post began practicing law in Union County. The Marine Corps had shaped him—not just in discipline and leadership, but in how he understood responsibility. When he became Mountainside's municipal attorney, a councilman offered a perspective that resonated: "a form of public service." Post found that characterization gratifying because it reflected something he already understood. Service is not just military. It can take many forms.

Post defines patriotism plainly: "caring about your country and being prepared to back that up with conduct." It is not rhetoric. It is action—showing up, doing the work, honoring commitments. The distinction matters, particularly when Post reflects on veterans generally. He hopes they receive greater appreciation from the broader community. For those considering military service, he offers measured counsel: "make sure that what you're doing is what you want to do." It is a reminder that military service is a choice, and it deserves to be a conscious, deliberate one.

Forty-five years in Mountainside. A career serving the borough. A life shaped by a childhood television show and the decision to transform inspiration into action. Post's story reminds us that the decisions we make when we are young—whether to watch a program, to answer a calling, to commit to something larger than ourselves—ripple forward through decades.

Find more Mountainside resident stories, veteran profiles, and community news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: Who is John Post?
A: John Post is a Mountainside resident of 45 years and the borough's municipal attorney. He is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam as a Marine lawyer.

Q: What inspired John Post to join the Marine Corps?
A: Growing up in Puerto Rico and Westfield, Post watched the WWII television series Victory at Sea. An episode about the Marines' campaign on Guadalcanal inspired him to pursue military service with the Marine Corps.

Q: What was Post's military training like?
A: Post joined the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class at St. Peter's College and trained at Quantico, Virginia, for two six-week summers. The program had a washout rate of approximately 20-25%. Candidates carried 70 pounds of equipment on grueling hikes.

Q: Where did John Post serve in Vietnam?
A: Post was stationed in Chu Lai, Vietnam, about 40 miles south of Da Nang. He served as a Marine lawyer and experienced combat situations, including a helicopter engine failure during flight that the pilot successfully restarted.

Q: What is John Post's definition of patriotism?
A: Post defines patriotism as "caring about your country and being prepared to back that up with conduct." He emphasizes action over rhetoric.

Q: How does John Post view his role as Mountainside's municipal attorney?
A: A councilman described the position as "a form of public service," a characterization that resonated with Post because it reflects his understanding that service takes many forms, not just military.

Q: What advice does Post give to potential service members?
A: Post advises those considering military service to "make sure that what you're doing is what you want to do," emphasizing that it should be a conscious, deliberate choice.