OCEAN CITY — “Today we gather to honor the defenders of freedom,” American Legion Post 524 Commander Bob Marzulli told those gathered for Veterans Day at the Ocean City Tabernacle.
Former and current members of the armed forces, local dignitaries and service organizations came together at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to pay tribute to those who sacrificed for America.
“Too often we look to professional sports or Hollywood productions in search of heroes. Yet a much stronger case can be made that a next-door neighbor, business acquaintance or distant relative has exhibited the traits most associated with genuine heroism,” Marzulli said.
He shared the story of Royce Williams, a Navy pilot who fought the longest aerial dogfight in U.S. military history Nov. 18, 1952.
The commander said Williams accomplished “one of the most courageous feats in our nation’s military history,” yet his name was known by few until this year, when he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his deeds.
Declassified documents detail the event:
While flying an F9F Panther on a combat mission near North Korea, Williams encountered a formation of seven Soviet-built MiG-15 fighter jets. For more than 30 minutes, he fought against faster, more powerful, superior aircraft, Marzulli said, shooting down four before heading home with his aircraft riddled with damage.
He landed safely aboard an aircraft carrier and, because the Soviet Union’s involvement in the Korean War was classified at the time, he was ordered to keep the battle secret.
“The passage of time did not diminish the courage. It simply reminded us that heroism does not depend on recognition,” Marzulli said, noting Willians “represents the very spirit of Veterans Day.”
He also shared the story of Diane Carlson Evans, who joined the Army Nurse Corps and volunteered for the Vietnam War.
“She treated the casualties of the war, then years later she took another mission, making sure the women who served were not forgotten,” Marzulli said, noting as the founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project, Evans led a long effort to place a memorial to those women beside their brothers in arms at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.
The American Legion backed that effort and she was successful in 1993, when the Vietnam Women’s Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall.
She received the American Legion’s Patriot Award and Distinguished Service Medal for that work. She died May 20, 2026, at age 79.
“Her life reminds us that service does not always end when the uniform comes off. Sometimes the next mission is to ensure those who serve beside us are seen, remembered and honored,” Marzulli said.
Since the founding of the United States, an estimated 50 million men and women have sworn an oath upon entering the military that they would be willing to die in defense of their country, he said.
“As we observe Veterans Day 2026, let us remember that freedom is neither automatic nor self-sustaining. Every generation must be willing to defend it,” Marzulli said. “The veterans we honor today answered the call. The spirit has guided generations of American veterans. It guides the men and women who defend us today. Let us always remember them.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6650 Commander Mike Morrissey noted there are nearly 22 million veterans living today.
“Our veterans have brought hope, faith and liberty to millions of people around the world, but the number of people who have benefited cannot be calculated,” he said. “Today is not a day for veterans alone. It is a day for all Americans to be part of because we all have a role to play in protecting liberty and freedom. … Your presence here today provides meaningful proof that you appreciate the fact that freedom we enjoy today is not free. We must always remember the military man for the sacrifices he made to become a veteran.”
Morrissey went on to explain what it was like to be a military man in his day.
“The average age of the military man was 19 years old. He was a short-haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances, considered by society as half-man, half-boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country,” Morrissey said.
“He can recite the nomenclature of a machine gun or a grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes in the rain. He can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he’s told to stop or stop until he’s told to march. He obeys orders without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity,” he continued.
“He can save your life, or he can take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. … He feels every note of the national anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering his burning desire to square away those around him who haven’t bothered to stand, remove their hat or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.”
Morrissey went on to encourage the public to get involved in the community.
“If you wish to be an American, do something to unite your neighborhood. Don’t disrupt your neighbors protesting against a king that doesn’t exist. You want the benefits of America? Do something to earn those privileges.”
Mayor Jay Gillian encouraged the public to look past its differences.
“Honoring our veterans means more than saying great words on just one day of the year. It means asking ourselves a question. How can we follow their example? We live in divided times. Each election seems to pull us farther in opposite directions. But I’d like to se us put our shared responsibilities ahead of our differences. Our service members come from different states, different backgrounds, different faiths, different political beliefs. They do not have to agree on everything to serve together, but they must depend on one another,” he said. “Our history shows what Americans can accomplish when we accept that responsibility.”
He said the nation came together during World War II and saw another example of that spirit after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“In the middle of the shock and grief, ordinary citizens moved to help others. At a time when our nation had been wounded, many Americans reached beyond their own routines and concerns to care for strangers,” he said. “They reminded us that common goodness matters more than the labels we put on each other. … The freedom to speak, to question and to disagree is a part of what our veterans fought to protect.”
Msgr. Peter M. Joyce of St. Damien Parish provided the invocation. Paul Banfe, trustee of American Legion Post 524, presented colors and George Meyers of VFW Post 6650 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
City resident Alexa Rosetti sang a rousing rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.” The young teenager later closed the ceremony with “God Bless America.”
Following a brief video presentation created by the city, veterans of each branch of the military — Jim Zbikowski, Army; Rich Laut, Navy; Dennis Egan, Marine Corps; Gene Weber, Coast Guard; and Tom Dahl, Air Force — marched to the front and stood at attention with their service flag with the Armed Forces Medley played.
Members of the audience stood when their branch’s song played, being recognized with applause from those gathered.
Jeff Valentine of VFW Post 6650 and Jim Warf, senior vice commander of America Legion Post 524, laid the wreath in Veterans Memorial Park across the street from the Tabernacle to close the ceremony.
– STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
