CREST HAVEN – Two centenarians were saluted by Cape May County and Rep. Jeff Van Drew at the county’s annual Veterans Day remembrance ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Public Safety Training Center gym.
John Finiello Sr., 100, and Russ Stetser, 103, both Navy veterans of World War II, were presented with certificates in appreciation for their service during the war. Van Drew also promised each man he would be making a speech in their honor on the floor of the House of Representatives and would ask that it be put into the Congressional Record.
The congressman, as he is fond of doing, also presented each man with a challenge coin, which, according to tradition, the man must carry at all times. If he finds either of them without the coin, the man owes him a drink. The coin is given as a sign of respect and recognition of achievements.
Van Drew went on to highlight freedoms and opportunities available to Americans and give credit to American veterans, who he said for generations have taken up the call and were willing to put their lives on the line to defend the liberties the nation holds dear.
Board of Commissioners Director Leonard Desiderio thanked all the veterans present for the ceremony, honoring the courage and price they and all veterans paid. Desiderio said the two World War II veterans were part of the “greatest generation,” a term coined by journalist and author Tom Brokaw.
“They were young when their nation called, and they left their homes, families and everything to serve,” he said.
He said these veterans saw firsthand what military members willingly went through to preserve American freedom. In return, he said, the county has been investing in county assets that provide services for veterans, including the veterans cemetery, the Veterans Services Office and the Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
“These were investments, not in projects, but in promises kept,” Desiderio said.
Commissioner Bobby Barr likewise noted the millions the county has invested in veterans services. He encouraged all veterans who have not done so to visit the Veterans Services Office and see what is available for them.
Barr said his father served in Vietnam and was a victim of Agent Orange contamination. He believes, he said, that the cerebral palsy that affects him and his brother came from their father’s exposure to Agent Orange.
About 70 people attended the event, plus the John Walter Cape Community Band, cadets from the county Police Academy members of the Middle Township Navy Junior ROTC program and local elected officials.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
