Post 331 Marks Dec. 7, Honors Vets, Coast Guard

STONE HARBOR – They were soldiers, sailors and marines, a “band of brothers” who gathered 73 years later at American Legion Post 331 to mark Dec. 7, 1941 the “day that will live in infamy.”
Time had taken its toll on bones and muscles, but wartime recollections and laughter were still young among the old warriors. Some aided by canes and walkers were the reason for the afternoon reception.
They watched with envy and smiles as two young Coast Guard members received plane tickets to travel home for Christmas, thanks to the kindness and generosity of many on Seven Mile Beach and other nearby areas. The idea for the homeward trip was spearheaded by Air Force veteran James Fleischmann and Post 331 member. Thomas McCullough, Post 331 service officer and an Army veteran assisted in the project, as did many others.
The veterans recollected Christmases in Europe and the Pacific, far from home and loved ones as they battled Axis foes in World War II.
The afternoon reception for the veterans who are called “The Greatest Generation” was made possible by members of Stephen Ludlam American Legion Post 331, the post’s American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. A large sheet cake proclaimed the sentiments of everyone in the room, “Thank you The Greatest Generation.”
Honored veteran guests, listed in the program, included John Fallon, James McCabe, Sam Beddia, Frank D’Elia, Joe Reese, Ed Heller, Joe Rizzo, Coy Zachary, Lawrence Oster Sr., Graham Quinn, James Tracey, Frank Taylor, and John DeAngelis.
Also joining them was William Hunter and Curtis Deardorff, who wore his French Legion of Honor medal.
Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards, external affairs officer, Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, extended thanks and appreciation on behalf of the service for the support of post members and the community for the kindness shown by providing a means for Cameron Hutchens and his wife, Rebecca, and Betty Sciscoe to go home, all expenses paid for Christmas.
Both members addressed the stand-room-only crowd and reviewed their service in the Coast Guard and what the gift of going home meant to them to be able to return to North Carolina and Texas.
Post Commander Harry Clayton introduced American Legion State Commander Mike Wilson. Wilson spoke of the great sacrifices the veterans had provided in the war, and recalled how the nation had pulled together to battle the enemy. The ceremony was one of three Wilson had to attend on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack that drew the United States into the Second World War.
After addressing the gathering, he spoke with Fleischmann, when had to head north to his next engagement in North Bergen.
To mark the occasion of the gathering, a group photograph of the veterans was taken on the porch of the post.
The post’s namesake Pfc. Stephen C. Ludlam was killed in France Jan. 23, 1945; he, too, was a member of “The Greatest Generation.”