Veterans Sell Bricks to Honor Loved Ones

WILDWOOD – As we walk down the path of life people, both living and gone, as well as special occasions make indelible memories in our hearts.
As part of a fundraising initiative, members of Wildwood’s Byron Pennington Crocker American Legion Post 184 are offering the opportunity to honor those who have played a part of our lives by giving the opportunity to honor the memory of a loved one, mark the passage of a milestone, or honor a living special someone with a brick paving stone that will be placed on the pathway outside the post’s Atlantic Avenue building.
“The spot has already been dug out,” said Post Adjutant Vince DePrinzio, “and it will hold 72 four by eight inch pavers.” According to the adjutant, 27 pavers have been spoken for to date.
Made of brick, each paver may be engraved with three lines, 14 letters per line. Each paver costs $100. The bricks can honor anyone, living or dead, or any occasion. Virtually anything can be written on the paver as long as it is not foul or derogatory in nature.
“This is a way to become part of Wildwood’s history,” said DePrinzio. “Everything from a paver to remember a loved one who has passed away, a paver honoring a special living person, a paver can commemorate a wedding, anniversary, graduation, or a paver can be used to remember a special day or special times spent in Wildwood.”
To help increase the post’s bottom line in raising funds from this program the cost of the pavers and their installation have been donated by two local businesses.
“We are fortunate that we got a company that is digging out the current pathway, putting a base in and putting the bricks in free of charge,” DePrinzio said. “Troiano and Sons Concrete approached us to do the job free of charge. We couldn’t take out the concrete patch, we didn’t know about the base and how to install the bricks.” DePrinzio said the concrete work involved with the job would have cost the post thousands of dollars. Another local business, Smeltzer and Sons donated the pavers. “I asked Bob about the bricks and he would not take money for them.”
Funds raised from the memory path will be used as part of the American Legion post’s on-going philanthropy throughout the Five Mile Island.
“Since 2001, the American Legion has given out over $900,000 in the community,” said DePrinzio. “We’ve given to different veterans’ groups, fire departments, police departments, Boy Scouts, scholarships, families with sick children, Lunch with Lynch and other charitable organizations.”
According to DePrinzio, 2014’s fundraising has been a little less than previous years.
Additional information, as well as forms to purchase a paver are available at the American Legion Post, 4200 Atlantic Avenue or by contacting DePrinzio at 609-827-7062.