STONE HARBOR – American Legion Post 331 here was the site of celebration Dec. 6, the day before the 74th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.
The post held its annual luncheon for veterans from World War II and also used the occasion to award free trips home for the holidays to four Coast Guard members stationed in Cape May.
Post commander Harry Clayton kicked off the lunch by introducing 10 members whose service dates back over 70 years. Broadly representing the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, the 10 briefly talked of their participation in the Great War. In attendance to be honored were John Fallon, Sam Beddia, Joe Reese, Coy Zachary, Frank Taylor, James McCabe, Frank D’Elia, Joe Rizzo, Graham Quinn, and John DeAngelis.
Beddia spoke of being in one of the last platoons to come out of the Marine training facility at Parris Island, Marine Corps Recruit Depot before “they dropped the big egg” that hastened the end of the war. DeAngelis, who served in an Army engineering regiment, spoke of friends lost and being the “youngest” member at a recent reunion. All talked of service at a time of great national peril.
The honoring of the World War II veterans stood in perfect juxtaposition to the other item on the day’s agenda, the post’s presentation of free airline tickets home for Coast Guard members and their families.
For the second consecutive year, the post had been able to provide financial support to send members of the service, stationed in Cape May, home for the holidays with all expenses paid.
This year two single individuals were selected, one married couple, and one couple with children. In all, the program will send eight individuals to be with their family and friends for the holidays.
The funds, raised through donations, cover the cost of airfare home, rides to and from the airport, flowers for the mother waiting at the other end, and cash for spending money or dinner out with the family.
The post works with the base commanding officer to randomly select winners from those who were eligible to apply.
Eligibility generally meant having vacation time booked and not being scheduled for duty.
Heading home this holiday season are: Paulo Cheng, a Seaman who will spend a week with his family in Miami, Fla.; Rebecca Young, a Seaman Apprentice, heading to her family, including a father who is himself retired Air Force, in Navarre, Fla.; Scott Meyer, a Health Services Technician, and his wife Brittany, who will head to her family in Mobile, Ala.; and Jesse D’Hereaux, who works with financial records, and his wife Jordan, along with 2-year-old Jade and 2-week-old, Enzo, who will be going to her family outside Charlotte, N.C.
Freehold Director Gerald Thornton spoke briefly saying “We are at war today.”
He spoke of the need for vigilance in a war against terrorists, but he also focused on those who serve to maintain freedom. Looking to his right he could see three tables of veterans whose service was over 70 years ago. To his left were three tables of young men and woman in uniform being sent home for a week with family before they return to continue to play their roles national defense. The long tradition of service could not have been more appropriately displayed.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
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