CREST HAVEN – Five days after Patriots Day (Sept. 11), a huge American flag will again be unfurled over the N.J. National Guard Armory on the Parkway at Crest Haven Road. It will mark a historic day for the red brick institution, a part of the county since 1961.
On that day (Sept. 16) a ceremony will take place, hosted by the Cape May County Army National Guard Association, to dedicate it to the memory of Army Lt. Col. James F. Barkalow, who was commanding officer there for 19 years. He passed away Nov. 17, 2009. It will be only the second time in state history that an armory is dedicated to a service veteran.
Barkalow, long a Wildwood Crest resident, was a N.J. Bell Telephone Co. supervisor for 32 years in Wildwood and Atlantic City. He was also a distinguished World War II pilot with the 410th Bomb Group in the Army Air Corps in Europe. He served in England and France, and logged over 180 flight hours in combat.
Barkalow was born in Bradley Beach, and was a graduate of Wildwood High School, and resident in the city for over 30 years. He and his wife Helen S. (Southwick) of 68 years resided in Wildwood Crest prior to relocating to Northfield. The Barkalows had three children, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Members of the local organization planning the event remember Barkalow, having served with him at some point in their early National Guard years. Among those involved in the event is retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Pierson, Lt. Col. Robert Springer, Carmen Bersani, former first sergeant of the 253rd Transportation Co., Pat Tarleton, association secretary, Thomas Kinnemand, association member, Sgt. First Class Skip Hoffman, and others.
Featured speaker will be Brig. Gen. James Grant, chief of staff, N.J. Army National Guard. Other federal, state, and county officials have been invited. Keynote speaker will be retired Col. Leonard J. Tharney. Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, adjutant general, will dedicate the plaque that will be placed inside the armory’s main entrance.
Sharon Ellis, Barkalow’s daughter, will also speak at the event.
At a Wed., Aug. 15 association meeting, Pierson said the first armory dedication in the state honored Major Gen. Wolf, of the 50th Armored Division in World War II.
“We are trying to follow that similar setup with a plaque on the wall and a picture above it and memorabilia in the case by it,” Pierson said.
No exterior name change could be made on the armory, which is why the tribute must remain on the interior.
The 253rd Transportation Co., which regularly drills at the armory, will present the colors at the ceremony. The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Band will provide music.
For his service, Barkalow received the Distinguished Flying Cross, nine Air Medals, and the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation.
The event will take place outside the armory at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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