OCEAN CITY – Ocean City American Legion Post 524 will welcome two military families to America’s Greatest Family Resort on Sunday, July 16, for a week of fun and festivities courtesy of the post’s Rest & Relaxation Program.
The families will be given the use of a free condominium for the week, as well as a multitude of gifts from local Ocean City businesses as a way to say, ‘Thank You for your service and sacrifices.”
USAF Staff Sgt. Richard Ojeda III, his wife Cristal, and their four children, Isabella, 15, Avery, 9, Peyton, 7, and Christian, 2, will join USAF Staff Sgt. Austin Root, his wife Hope, and their two children, Charlotte, 4, and William, 1, for the week’s activities.
The R&R program began in 2013 “as a way to pay tribute to service men and women for sacrifices made during their time in the military,” explained Joe Masington, co-chair of the R&R Committee. “Whenever military personnel are deployed, their families also share in that deployment and we support their efforts as well.”
Following a police and fire department motorcade and an escort into town by the Legion Riders motorcycle brigade, the Ojeda and Root families will be honored during a lunchtime welcoming ceremony held at the American Legion Morvay-Miley-Cruice Post 524 building at 46th Street and West Avenue. During the ceremony, members of The South Jersey Quilts of Valor Foundation will present personalized, handmade quilts to both service members. The pattern and stitching will represent the Air Force colors and designs.
On Monday, July 17, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian will host the families and present them with a key to the city. They will also receive free beach and parking passes, restaurant dinners and local product baskets. The Cape May County Zoo has donated free admission passes.
“Post 524 is proud to welcome this year’s R&R families,” said Jerry Bonner, R&R Committee co-chair. “We thank all our members – veterans, auxiliary and The Sons of The American Legion – for their many contributions to these deserving patriotic families.”
Ojeda, originally from San Antonio, Texas, is a 10-year active duty service member, currently stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as part of the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron.
“This getaway will provide a wonderful experience for our children and allow us to create long lasting memories – something I feel has been desperately lacking,” Ojeda said. “It will allow us to decompress a bit, take a few deep breaths and escape the norms of reality to re-energize.”
Root hails from Harrah, Okla., has been stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for six years as an aircraft metals technology craftsman in the 305th Maintenance Squadron.
“We thank you so much for the opportunity to attend this beach vacation getaway,” Root said. “We are thrilled and excited to do this as a family. We have never gotten to take a vacation like this before and are extremely grateful. This is exactly what our family needed.”
The public is invited to join the welcoming ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m. For more information, call the post at (609) 398-1751 or visit www.legion524ocnj.org
By DOUG OTTO/For the Sentinel