Gov.-elect Murphy Visits Wildwood; Pays Homage to NJ Veterans

WILDWOOD – In honor of veterans who died in Vietnam, Gov.-elect Phil Murphy laid a wreath at the base of an American flag at the Wildwoods Convention Center Jan. 14.  
His teenage son Josh then laid a bouquet for veterans who died in World War II, followed by his other children, Sam, Charlie, and Emma, who placed bouquets for veterans who died in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan, respectively.
“We are here today because of the sacrifice made by many brave New Jerseyans…those who came home and those who did not,” Murphy’s wife Tammy said. “The least we owe them is to say thank you and welcome home.”
The Wildwood ceremony was the first stop on the inaugural tour for Murphy, who made veterans affairs a tenet of his gubernatorial platform. The Murphys were to make appearances throughout the state before he became governor Jan. 16.
Jan. 14 was Murphy’s third visit to Wildwood since he announced his candidacy in early spring. Bill Davenport, president of the Wildwood chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, recalled how, a month earlier, Murphy requested to visit Wildwood’s Vietnam Memorial Wall first on his tour.
Frigid temperatures forced the ceremony into the Wildwoods Convention Center across the street, but the Murphys visited the wall afterward.
“(The memorial wall) should rightly be considered, across the street, as hallowed ground here in Wildwood,” Murphy said. “Inscribed on that wall…is a reminder of the awful toll of war.”
Murphy promised better services for New Jersey veterans to a crowd that included over 100 veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War.
“Our veterans have been asked to do a lot, but too many feel they have been forgotten,” Murphy said. “Too many lack jobs, too many struggle with mental health issues, and far too many are homeless.”
Army Iraq veteran Jeff Cantor, an advisor to Murphy, cited a study that ranked New Jersey 50th in the nation as the best states for veterans to live in, based on factors like veteran-owned businesses, healthcare, and employment rates.
He said Gov. Chris Christie’s lack of focus on veterans’ affairs contributed to the low ranking.
“I think it’s fair to say then when you hear we’re 50…at least for veterans, it’s not working the way it needs to work,” Murphy said.
Murphy recounted how he “interacted daily with the largest overseas noncombat formation of American armed forces in the world” as the United States ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.
He then introduced Col. Jamal Beale, his nominee for Adjutant General for the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano explained that not all politicians who visit Wildwood pay homage at the memorial wall as Murphy did.
“I do believe we have a governor who will put our veterans first,” Troiano said. “God knows our veterans have been placed in the background far too long.”
Master of Ceremonies Joe Griffies of Rio Grande, host of the Welcome Home Veterans radio show, echoed the desire to take better care of veterans.
“We send them to war whole, they come home broken, and then we turn our backs on them,” he said.
“Get the hell out of the way if you’re not going to help the governor,” he added.
After a performance of “God Bless America” from Ocean City High School freshman Julia Wilson, crowds followed the Murphy family across the street as they visited the memorial wall.
“(Murphy) has a sense of urgency to take care of our veterans,” Cantor said. “The entire veterans community will finally have an ally fighting for us.”
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, Troiano unveiled a new street sign at Burk and Ocean avenues, announcing the intersection had officially been renamed the corner of The Wall That Heals and Veteran’s Lane.
To contact Taylor Henry, email thenry@cmcherald.com.