Sea Isle City Honored America’s Veterans on Nov. 11

SEA ISLE CITY – On Nov. 11, Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio emceed the resort’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. inside Veterans Park. The yearly gathering is always scheduled to coincide with the World War I armistice peace agreement, which took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
In addition to the mayor, the ceremony included VFW Post 1963 Commander Charles Haines, Cape May County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti, Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer, and 1st District Assemblyman-elect Sam Fiocchi. Adding to the event were Deacon Liam O‘Clisham, of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, who read the Invocation, and Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid, of Sea Isle United Methodist Church, who read the Benediction.
During the ceremony, local veterans stepped forward to place wreaths at the base of the park’s Memorial Fountain in honor of both world wars, the Korea War, the Vietnam War, and all subsequent Middle East conflicts. Wreaths were also placed in honor of VFW Post 1963’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Sea Isle City Police Department.
The Cape May County Militia was represented during the ceremony by veterans Tom Rock and Bernard Becker, who fired a gun salute into the air. World War II veteran Russell Briggs, age 90, stepped to the podium several times throughout the ceremony to sing patriotic hymns.
In his speech, Mayor Desiderio pointed out how many veterans leave the military to find hardship waiting for them in civilian life. He then asked the audience to consider the challenges many vets face, pointing out the alarming number of American veterans who are currently homeless as well as post traumatic stress disorder, financial difficulties and the nation’s high veteran suicide rate.
“It is my profound hope that each of us here today will ask ourselves this important question: ‘As a nation – and as individual citizens – are we doing enough to support our veterans?’” said the mayor.
“Whether it’s writing a check to a worthy veterans organization, volunteering time at a veterans fund raiser, or hiring a veteran for your business, I am certain that there is something each of us can do to help a veteran in need – and I ask you to please do what you can,” added the mayor.
After Sea Isle’s Veterans Day Ceremony came to a close, many of the veterans in attendance went directly to VFW Post 1963 on JFK Boulevard, where they enjoyed lunch and fellowship.
To learn about other events taking place in Sea Isle City, visit www.seaislecitynj.us or phone (609) 263-8687. To contact VFW Post 1963, phone (609) 263-1711 or visit www.vfwpost1963.com.