A Great Day for the Wildwoods

To The Editor:
I am writing this on Flag Day while reflecting on the warm sunny Saturday when I attended, with Commissioner Gerard McNamara, the dedication of the “The Wall that Heals” at Columbus Park in Wildwood, that so proudly depicts the names of those military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War.
I must also note that over the past several weeks, since the dedication of this great monument and tribute to our fallen heroes, there has not been a day or time that I pass there that people who are not visitors are at the wall. When community counts, the Wildwoods’ and its loving citizens come across.
The program was a moving tribute to our veterans and their families of all wars. It was a long overdue public heroes “Welcome Home” to the unsung veterans of the Vietnam War.
Never again should the citizens of this nation disrespect those who serve this great country in the cause to protect our nation’s freedoms and the freedoms of those in foreign lands. Never again should this great nation allow the politicizing of government policies to cause citizens to turn their backs on our military who were called to duty and who serve their nation with courage and pride.
Thank you, to all of our veterans and their families who have endured, and to those veterans who continue today to endure the sacrifices, to keep Americans at home and abroad safe and free. Thank you, thank you, and may God bless and keep you all.
I would be remiss if I failed to recognize and give special thanks and kudos to Vince Deprinzio, a Vietnam veteran and a true friend to the Wildwoods. And further, if I failed to thank and recognize the many donors, volunteers and the many friends of the Wildwoods, too numerous to mention individually, who saw, understood and believed in Vince’s vision and dream to bring this magnificent replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, displayed in our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., to Wildwood. Every one of them are the heroes of the many who now have a permanent monument to cherish and hold dear. They are the heroes to the families, friends, loved ones and the communities that gave so dearly to the cause for freedom. They make me very proud to be a resident of the Wildwoods, and even more, proud to be an American.
DR. HERBERT FREDERICK
West Wildwood
(ED NOTE: Frederick is mayor of West Wildwood.)