Somers Point ceremony honors veterans
Nov, 17-2009 12:34 pm
By SHAUN SMITH
Staff Writer
SOMERS POINT – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2189 hosted a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 11 in honor of all veterans, but with special emphasis on those from “The Greatest Generation.”
Originally scheduled to be at Patriot Park, the ceremony was moved indoors to the post on Bethel Road and quickly became standing room only as people came to honor area veterans.
After a moment of silence for recently passed member William Hartley, the ceremony proceeded with past commander and Atlantic County Veterans Service Officer Bob Frolow leading the ceremony.
He said Nov. 11 is known as Armistice Day for some but Veterans Day for all to honor the men and especially women who served in the United States armed forces.
He used the term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw who wrote a book called “The Greatest Generation,” about the people who grew up during the Great Depression and served in World War II or contributed to the war effort from the home front.
“We proudly recognize the World War II veterans. They are ‘The Greatest Generation.’ They have great history and are responsible for all of us being here today,” Frolow said.
Aliena Walrond, 12, and Laura Naegele, 11, both students at Dawes Avenue School, read essays about Veterans Day.
“No one in America would be as happy as they are without the veterans that are sitting here today,” Walrond said.
AMVETS Post 911 Cmdr. Fred Vineyard presented Patti Hampton with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Hartley.
Frolow said if the family of a veteran doesn’t receive a flag at a funeral, they can take the DD214 form and death certificate to any post office and it will give the family a flag.
Frolow said the seven flags flying over Patriot Park are costly to replace, and they are constantly raising funds. Due to the efforts of Rob Cozen, Vineyard and John Bingenheimer of AMVETS, Freida Koenig, manager of Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Bank, presented a $1,000 check to go toward new flags.
U.S. Congressman Frank. A. LoBiondo representing District 2 said the veterans can be honored every day by remembering freedom is not free.
New Jersey District 1 Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam gave heartfelt thanks to veterans and said how important it is to honor and respect them every day.
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson paid tribute to the veterans and Pearl Harbor survivor Al Matthews.
“People always ask me, ‘Why do you always go to Somers Point on Veterans Day?’ Levinson said. “I tell them to come to Somers Point and find out.”
Col. Marcus Quint of the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard was the keynote speaker.
“I am who I am because of you,” he said.
“Your generation – the generation of heroes – defines the political landscape of today. The legacy of freedom you gave the world – the American generation of World War II veterans,” Quinn said.
“I am a legacy of what you did.”
All the World War II veterans were recognized with a congressional citation from LoBiondo, a commendation from Albano and Milam and a proclamation from Levinson. They are: Nicholas Cuminti, Joseph Curry, Doseph DiOrio, Al Ewing, George Ferral, Thomas Gegeckas, John Gukes, John Goodwin, William Hartley (deceased), Joe Heffernan, Chris Kourambis, Frank Luisi, Frank Lamb, Robert Mawhinney, Al Matthews, Andrew Merlino, Howard Moore, Jesse Pagan, George Poggioli, Jim Phillip (deceased), Harvey Smith, William Swain, Steve Sargent, Joe Sager, Elizabeth Steelman, John Summers, Mike Seravello, Fred Vineyard, Tom Wiggleworth, Joseph Agvanno, Art Turnbull, William Rosenberger and Harry Williamson.
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