Ocean City’s Memorial Day service
OCEAN CITY – Under the hot late-morning sun, offset by a cool intermittent breeze that caused the massive American flag to flutter overhead hanging from the Ocean City Fire Department’s ladder truck, an overflow crowd packed into Veterans Memorial Park to honor the ultimate sacrifice of this nation’s military men and women.
People filled the seats and extra bleachers around the monument, and others stood on the grass and beneath the trees to listen to a series of speakers talk about the importance of Memorial Day.
It was a serious ceremony, highlighted by the reading of the honor roll: the list of all the local service members who died in America’s wars. As Bob Marzulli, commander of American Legion Post No. 524, read each name and the conflict, a bell tolled, the distinct sound ringing across the quiet crowd filled with numerous veterans, spouses and others who set aside time on Monday to remember exactly why this holiday was established.
Marzulli and Michael Morrissey, commander of VFW Post 6650, both said that Americans should have fun on the holiday weekend with picnics and others activities, because that is part of the freedom they enjoy, but they should remember that freedom comes with a heavy price.
Morrissey, a Vietnam veteran, also took the time to remind everyone present the cost of that conflict, of more than 58,000 lives given in honor of their country. As an especially painful reminder, he listed the ages of those killed, so many of them still teenagers, their lives cut short in service to their nation.
Jack Hagan, adjutant of the American Legion post, explained the symbolism of the small table and place setting for those listed as POW/MIA.
It has a white tablecloth to symbolize the purity of their motives, an inverted glass to symbolize their inability to share this day’s toast, a candle to symbolize everlasting hope, a single red rose to remind us of their families and loved ones, a slice of lemon to remind us of their bitter fate, salt to symbolize the tears of their families, and the chair is empty. But they are not forgotten.
Mayor Jay Gillian spoke about the sacrifices and how important the American Legion and VFW have been to Ocean City, but he went off script to talk about the living veterans, to remind everyone that they need continuing support and care.
Boy Scout Troop 32 posted the colors, Morgan Murphy sang the national anthem, as the crowd sang along, and during the playing of the Armed Forces Medley, representatives of all branches of the service presented flags to the crowd.
Fred Distel, Judge Advocate, American Legion, and George Meyers, of the VFW post, presented the wreath, carrying it from near the podium beneath the flags in the park over to the Veterans Memorial monument. Ed Ferraro, chaplain of VFW Post 6650, offered the invocation and Larry Kelly, Service Officer of American Legion Post 524, provided the benediction.
Greg Murphy of Buglers Across America played Taps and Miss New Jersey Volunteer Natalie Ragazzo sang “God Bless America” to close the nearly hour-long ceremony.
Michael Allegretto, aide to the mayor, provided the welcome and introductions.
Daily flag-raising through Sept. 11
The city reminded everyone that there is a daily boardwalk flag-raising ceremony at the Ocean City Music Pier. The ceremony is at 9 a.m. every day through Sept. 11. It includes the national anthem and “God Bless the U.S.A.”
The flagpole by the Music Pier was dedicated to the memory of three Ocean City veterans – Joe Caserta, James “JR” Robinson and Bill Cruice.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
