SEA ISLE CITY – On Nov. 11, at 11:00 a.m., Sea Isle City’s 2012 Veterans Day Ceremony took place at Veterans Park, JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue. The annual event was well-attended by many spectators, including veterans from World War II, the Korean and Viet Nam Wars and vets who served more recently in the Middle East.
The ceremony was led by Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio, who stood next to the park’s Memorial Fountain with VFW Post 1963 Commander Charles Haines, Cape May County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti, Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer and Deacon Joseph Murphy of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, who led the audience in prayer. Also at the mayor’s side was World War II Veteran Russell Briggs, who sang several patriot hymns, including The National Anthem, My Buddy and America the Beautiful.
Adding to the occasion were three members of VFW Post 1963’s Color Guard and over a dozen young men from Boy Scout Troop 76, who respectfully stood at attention while leading the audience during The Pledge of Allegiance.
Following a series of poignant speeches from several of the event’s dignitaries, wreaths were placed at the base of the park’s Memorial Fountain. Afterwards, Commander Haines read a Roll Call of Honored Dead Veterans before the Cape May County Militia fired a gun salute and Boy Scout Forest Wan played Taps on his bugle.
During his speech, Mayor Desiderio quoted Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln – leaders who relied greatly on the prowess of their country’s military. The mayor also thanked all of the veterans in attendance on behalf of the people of Sea Isle City before asking each one to stand or raise his or her hand so the audience could give them a well-deserved round of applause.
“Without the sacrifices our veterans have made during the past two centuries, we Americans would not be able to worship as we choose, read what books we like, vote for our favorite candidate on Election Day, or freely-speak our minds without the fear of persecution,” said the mayor. “Our veterans are the back-bone of this democracy, and their actions have sustained our way of life since the dawn of this great republic.”
To learn about other events taking place in Sea Isle City, visit www.seaislecitynj.us, or phone (609) 263-TOUR.
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