Citizens honor those who sacrificed their lives
OCEAN CITY – Two F-16 fighters from the 177th Fighter Wing came screaming over Veterans Memorial Park Monday morning as hundreds gathered for Ocean City’s Memorial Day ceremony.
The passage of the jets was fleeting, but the message delivered at the solemn ceremony was lasting: never forget the ultimate sacrifices of the members of the military who gave their lives to keep this national free.
“How humbling is this? If Ocean City does not honor its veterans right, I don’t know what town does,” Mayor Jay Gillian said after surveying the crowd that flowed over from the seats and bleachers, filled the lawns around the memorial and spilled out onto the street that was closed off for the occasion.
Gillian quoted former President Ronald Reagan speaking at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 1982: “I can’t claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don’t know any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does. ‘Does that star-spangled banner still wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?’
“That’s what we all must ask. We’re here today to honor all those who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedoms,” Gillian said, but people need to ask what that freedom means.
“In America we’re free to be who we are. No one can tell us otherwise. Despite our differences we all share a love for our country and the freedoms that come with us,” he said. “Sometimes these days our differences turn into division and intolerance and on occasion just plain meanness to people who don’t share the same viewpoint. This happens in person and too often behind the computer screen. That makes a mockery of the sacrifices of our veterans who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.
“Our veterans deserve better,” the mayor said, asking those assembled to take the time on Memorial Day to think of the hundreds of thousands of veterans “who have died in the name of freedom and what we can do ourselves to make America truly free.”
Mike Morrissey, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6650, spoke next.
“This is quite a remarkable turnout,” he said.
Morrissey honored Nick Constantino of Operation First Response, an organization that helps wounded veterans. Constantino died earlier this month.
“Know just how very special this man was, especially when it came to his dedication and love for veterans,” Morrissey said. “It is not wrong to say because of Nick Constantino, hundreds if not thousands of veterans throughout America have been helped by Nick and his generosity. Nick knew in his heart he had to give back to his country because of the blessings he and his family have had because they are Americans.”
The VFW commander said any combat veteran knows it isn’t easy returning to a normal way of life “especially when you carry with you the many different scars of war, whether mental, physical or both. When things were at their worst and a veteran did not know where to turn, or how to help themselves, this is where Nick Constantino would enter your life and things just got better from there.”
Bob Marzulli, commander of American Legion Post 524, said the American Legion family, consisting of legionnaires, auxiliary and family members, is 1,000 members strong.
“We are the largest and most active post in Cape May County and among the top 10 posts the state of New Jersey,” he said, noting programs include providing more than 3,900 meals in a little over three years, Coffee Express that sends care packages all over the world, and an R&R program that provides two veterans’ families an all-expense-paid vacation in Ocean City.
“Friends, we do not forget, whether it is an hour ago or a century ago, we remember,” Marzulli said. “The American Legion family has a special obligation to honor and remember all of the country’s fallen heroes.”
The American Legion post and the Exchange Club of Ocean City unveiled a new plaque for Veterans Memorial Park. It’s heading reads: “So long as there are veterans, we will never forget.” Beneath it, the plaque reads: “In memory and honor of all United States Veterans, the men and women of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. We thank you for your service and sacrifice to your community, state, country and world.”
The Memorial Day ceremony including the Armed Forces Medley featuring the colors of the branches of the military; Jack Hagan, adjutant of the American Legion post, explained the POW/MIA table; the presentation of the wreath, posting of colors by Boy Scout Troop 32, Taps by Greg Murphy of Bugles Across America, and Natalie Ragazzo singing the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
