WILDWOOD – For 13 veterans from the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland, Christmas came early this year as the Greater Wildwood Elks hosted a holiday party for them Dec. 11 at their headquarters. Veterans enjoyed lunch while the Wildwood High School Chorale group performed holiday music.
Charlie Feeney of North Wildwood was the organizer of the event along with the Elks Veterans Committee. He said this is the first year for what he hopes becomes an annual event.
“We have done things before with the veterans at the Vineland Home,” Feeney said. “We took them to the Cape May County Zoo and we regularly have them for Veteran’s Day Nov. 11. But this year, due to the damage done to our headquarters by Hurricane Sandy, we could not host them in November so we decided to throw them a holiday party instead. They are getting a meat loaf meal and a bag filled with gift certificates, candy and more.”
The goal, Feeney said, was to entertain the veterans, give them a nice time out of the home and for them to be able to interact with the students who came from Wildwood High School.
“We seated two veterans with two of the students so they could eat lunch together and talk,” Feeney said. “It’s an opportunity for the students to learn about what these veterans have done for the country and just to appreciate them more and the freedom they so bravely fought for. We hope the kids take away a new respect for the veterans and we just hope the veterans have a nice time. They deserve it. They don’t get enough recognition. Many come home with physical and emotional problems from their service and anything we can do to brighten their days, we will do.”
Joe Magilton of Wildwood is president of the Greater Wildwood Elks. He said one of their mottos is “As long as there’s an Elk, the veterans will never be forgotten.”
“We take that very seriously,” Magilton said. “They gave us the gift of service and now it is our turn to give them some gifts.”
John Lynch, a veteran at the Vineland Home who served in the Korean War, was thrilled to be there.
“This is my old hometown,” Lynch said. “I had nothing exciting happen to me in the war, I was lucky, but I look forward to talking with the students and answering any questions they may have.”
Norman Baker and his wife, Joan, are also living at the Vineland Home. Norman served in the Marines in the Korean War.
“We are just so pleased to be here,” Joan Baker said. “We have been here before and it is really nice and wonderful what they do for us. It’s nice to see the same faces each time we come. We’re excited to talk to the kids.”
Samantha Rogers, a senior at Wildwood High School and Monika McGrath, a sophomore, sat with the Bakers for lunch.
Although McGrath had never been to the Elks, Rogers said she has volunteered there before.
“We just hope to bring them some joy today and a fun holiday experience,” Rogers said. “I am interested to learn about their experiences during the war.”
Adrienne Laigaie, choir director, said 22 students attended the luncheon.
“The kids just love to sing and spread joy this way,” Laigaie said. “They are just anxious to meet some veterans and share in their stories and life experience. It’s a win-win situation for the veterans and the students.”
To contact Deb Rech, email drech@cmcherald.com.
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