Cape May County Veterans Day Ceremony and Informational Marketplace at NASW

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton, who oversees the Veterans’ Bureau, will celebrate the contributions made by all county veterans with a traditional observance ceremony at 2 p.m. This year’s Veterans Day ceremony at the NASW Aviation Museum will also include Congressman Frank LoBiondo; Commanding Officer of United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May (TRACEN), Owen Gibbons; Korean War Veteran and Quarter Master of VFW District 17 and VFW Post 5941, Bill Lamb; and American Legion County Commander, Sherry Govoni.
Cape May County Freeholder and Brigadier General Retired Jeffrey L. Pierson will serve as Master of Ceremonies. As part of the ceremony, the United States Coast Guard Ceremonial Detail will be in attendance to provide the flag detail, gun salute and playing of “Taps.” Vince Pale, POW from WWII, will sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”    
“Veterans’ organizations will play an important part at this year’s event. Representatives of the local veterans’ organizations will be on hand to provide information about services and programs designed to help improve the quality of life for the local men and women who have served our country,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton.
The marketplace of veterans’ services will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Organizations representing the American Legion, VFW and VFW Auxiliary, Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans Organization (DAV), Veterans Center from Ventnor, Philadelphia VA Regional Office and the County’s Fare Free Transportation service will be on hand. Cape May County’s Department of Health will offer free flu shots to interested attendees as part of the event.  
After the ceremony, Wilmington Veterans Hospital Director, Vince Kane and Cape May County Clerk, Rita Fulginiti will discuss pertinent veterans’ services and programs. There will also be an unveiling of three exhibits by the NASW Foundation as part of its local war heroes exhibits. The new exhibits will honor the military service of William F. X. Band, Charles Sandman Jr. and Captain George C. Shoemaker.
The American Red Cross Southern Shore Chapter will provide coffee and refreshments at the NASW Aviation Museum.