By ELIZABETH LITTLE/Special to the Sentinel
SOMERS POINT – For many, Memorial Day weekend means grilling in the back yard, going to the beach and spending a relaxing time with family and friends. On Monday, Americans were reminded that weekend comes courtesy of the veterans who lost their lives serving the United States.
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there were limitations on how many people could gather for Memorial Day services last year. This year, throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties, and throughout the country, there were services filled with members of a grateful nation.
One of them was at Veterans Memorial Park on Bethel Road in Somers Point.
The ceremony commenced as about 40 of the Somers Point 352 Legion Riders rode their motorcycles to Veterans Memorial Park. The Legion Riders are veterans who sponsor their American Legion Post, in this case, post 352.
“Memorial Day has always been a huge holiday for all of us veterans, in fact we just went down to D.C., we battled all that wind and rain and cold and we did the demonstration down there on the Rolling to Remember Ride for the POW/MIAs. We actually just got home last night and now we’re here today,” said Tom Dixon, the president of the Somers Point 352 Legion Riders. Dixon served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1976 to 1983.
Also in attendance were Somers Point firefighters, who lined up their trucks on the street to display during the service, with a huge American flag hanging between them blowing in the breeze.
“It means to me to be here to honor everyone who died for their country, and who gave us the freedoms and the rights that we have today. Every day I wake up, and God bless I’m happy to be in this country, because it’s such a wonderful country to be in,” said Robert Blaine, a Somers Point firefighter.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to respect those who gave everything for us,” said James Somers, chief of Somers Point Volunteer Fire Department No. 2. Somers has been serving the city for 37 years.
The Memorial Day service started with words from Somers Point Mayor Jack Glasser.
“If you walk away with anything today, it’s to remember those men and women who died for the ultimate sacrifice. These are people who went to war for the United States,” Glasser said.
Next, there were words from Marco Polo Smigliani, a Vietnam War veteran who was honored with four Purple Hearts, a military decoration for those wounded in combat.
There was a color guard and a bagpipe rendition of Taps and “Amazing Grace.” Attendees joined in singing “God Bless America” to close out the ceremony.
In closing, Glasser thanked the veterans and the public works department of Somers Point for hoisting up the stars and stripes on a crane for everyone to see. He thanked the Somers Point Police Department for keeping attendees safe by directing traffic and parking for the event. Glasser invited attendees back to the Somers Point American Legion Post 352 for refreshments and lunch.
