OCEAN VIEW – Sept. 18 was National Day of Remembrance for the country’s prisoners of war and those missing in action.
At the Sea Isle City/Ocean View exit of the Garden State Parkway veterans, their family members, residents and local officials gathered to honor those who, above and beyond serving their country, gave all they had.
As soulful and soul-felt bagpipes played, those gathered heard a consistent theme from the speakers gathered: “Our armed forces members willingly sign up and serve, and put themselves in harm’s way. It is the POWs and MIAs who truly went beyond the course of expectations and dedicated their lives to our freedom,” said Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak (D-2nd), a wounded veteran from his Iraq service as an Army sergeant in 2005-2010.
Assemblyman Samuel Fiocchi (R-1st) attended and spoke of his support for veterans and those who remain held in prisons and missing in action.
According to statistics maintained by the National League of Still Missing POWs and MIAs, there are a total of 1,627 American service members still missing, of those 43 are from New Jersey.
With many American Legion post commanders in attendance from throughout the county, the ceremony provided an occasion to reminisce about military service and honor comrades who paid the ultimate price.
Most of those who attended saw duty and battle during the Vietnam War in the era of the late 1960s who brought along children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to join the ceremony to learn to appreciate the sacrifices that have been made for freedom.
“This is such an important reminder each year of all that has been given to us by our veterans and especially those who served in battle but did not make it home,” said Vietnam War veteran Arnold Carr. Carr was in the Marines and manned artillery from 1968-69.
“It’s nice to see the children attend as well, realizing they need to rush back to their classes, so that they can share in the remembering here today,” he said.
“We’ve been doing this ceremony each year on Sept. 18 for 10 years now, we’re not really sure how many POWs and MIAs there still actually are,” said New Jersey Vice Commander James Scanlon. “In fact, the number of vets is actually a small minority, especially those who have seen war time, so this is an important event for all veterans and for all citizens.”
Scanlon spoke about efforts, private sector and governmental, many are taking to help veterans transition back to civilian life.
On Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Atlantic City’s War Memorial facility there will be a support event designed to help veterans with resume writing, interview techniques, and health issues including PTSD issues and much more. In addition to program facilitators, Mayor Don Guardian will attend and the New Miss America has been invited.
“These veterans essentially wrote a blank check regarding their lives because even in peace time there is never any guarantee that you will not be called to serve in a dangerous location or even that we go to war,” said Scanlon. “The assistance that we will provide Oct. 8 is another effort to repay our veterans and help ensure they have a fruitful civilian life.”
Two freeholders echoed Scanlon’s sentiments with E. Marie Hayes emphasizing, “We will never forget!” Kristine Gabor stated, “This occasion is one of the most important we can attend as an elected official and as a citizen of the U.S.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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