NORTHFIELD – The flags in front of City Hall that fly in honor of hometown heroes are currently waving for two soldiers who, though they come from different generations and different battlefields, have done the city proud by their service. Home on leave, Clement Scharff Jr., 20, center, is honored for service to his community and his country at the Jan. 24 Northfield City Council meeting. He is joined by Councilman Steve Vain, Julia Scharff, Clement Scharff Sr. and Councilman Frank Perri.

The servicemen honored at the Jan. 24 meeting were

Clement Scharff Jr., a U.S. Army paratrooper and member of the Cavalry who recently returned from deployment in Bagdad, was honored at the Jan. 24 City Council meeting along with former Mayor Nicholas Kuchova, a decorated World War II veteran who passed away Nov. 29, 2011. Kuchova’s widow, Audrey Kuchova, accepted the posthumous honor for her husband of 63 years along with their son Kevin Kuchova.

Scharff is a 2010 graduate of Mainland Regional High School. Before enlisting in the U.S. Army he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 72, where he attained the rank of Life Scout.

He entered basic training with one of the last cavalry classes at Fort Knox in January 2011 and graduated as a 19D cavalry scout. His team finished first in the best selection competition, and Scharff shot a perfect score on the range. He has earned the honor of being able to wear the gold cavalry combat spurs and the black cavalry stetson of those who exemplify the cavalry ethos, according to Northfield City Councilman Steve Vain. Scharff was invited to join paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Ga.

He spent seven months at Camp Victory in Operation New Dawn in Bagdad and was instrumental in getting the last of the troops out of Bagdad.

Scharff, who was home on leave, is the son of Clem and Julie Scharff of Northfield.

Deflecting titles like hero for himself, he said Kuchova is a real hero.

“The guys that came before us, the ones that fought in the Great War, they are the real heroes, they are the men I look up to,” Scharff said.

Nick Kuchova was a hero who gave generously of his time and his talents to his country, his community and his family, according to information provided by Mayor Vince Mazzeo.

As a member of the U.S. Army, Kuchova received a Bronze Star and a Combat Infantry Badge. He also received three battle stars for action in the Ardennes Forest, the Battle of the Bulge and the battle for Central Europe.

He returned to the area and was a physical education teacher and later a guidance counselor in the Atlantic City School District.

Kuchova was a member of the Northfield City Council and served as mayor. He was an environmentalist and refereed basketball for more than 20 years Audrey Kuchova, the widow of Nicholas Kuchova, joins Clement Scharff Jr. at the Jan. 24 Northfield City Council meeting.