Veterans Help County Mark Day of Tribute

CREST HAVEN – So balmy was the weather Nov. 11, Cape May County’s Veterans’ Day ceremony could have been mistaken for Memorial Day. The temperature neared 70 under a deep blue sky.
Wreath placement ceremony included floral tributes from many veterans’ organizations and their auxiliary units. Charles Adelizzi, Cape May County Veterans’ Bureau placed the first wreath on behalf of Gold Star Mothers, since none was in the crowd.
Morgan Bradshaw, a freshman at Lower Cape May Regional High School, sand the national anthem and, later in the ceremony, “Proud to Be an American.”
Rev. Robert Stahler, pastor, Great Commandment Baptist Church, Swainton, gave the invocation and Benediction.
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton thanked all veterans for their service, and noted the importance of keeping the day special for the young, in particular.
Commanders Norman Marlin and William Howard, of the Cape May County American Legion, and Cape May County District 17, Veterans of Foreign Wars, respectively, gave brief addresses.
Marlin said many veterans, who proudly served their nation in time of war, find themselves unemployed and homeless. It is incumbent on those who have the power to assist those veterans back into society, and help them find fulfilling employment. He also reminded that many veterans today are females who have specific needs.
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Ceremonial Detail rendered a three-volley salute followed by playing of “Taps” to conclude the ceremony.
On the program flier distributed at the event were reminders of two important anniversaries in 2012.
The year is the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, “possibly the closest our country has ever come to all out nuclear war with the Russians.”
It is also the 30th anniversary of “The Wall,” the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“It is possibly the finest emotion evoking war monument ever constructed in the USA,” it stated.
For those who cannot make the trip to the nation’s capital to see the names of loved ones or friends on The Wall, a scaled-down replica is located in Wildwood at Burk and Ocean avenues.