By BILL BARLOW/Special to the Sentinel
UPPER TOWNSHIP – Remember your heroes, Craig Cosgrave told those gathered at the veterans memorial at Osprey Point on Sunday afternoon at a Flags for Heroes event presented by the Rotary Club of Ocean City and Upper Township.
Behind him, a steady breeze whipped a line of American flags under overcast skies. Participants donated $50 for each of the flags, which were marked with the names of the hero and the sponsor. Members of the Rotary Club said heroes come from many walks of life, including veterans, hospital workers, parents, first responders and anyone who has made a difference in the lives of others.
“There are not just veterans that are here. There are all types of people, nurses and doctors and friends,” said Randi Scheck, president of the Rotary Club. They are people who have made an impact in someone’s life or touched someone’s heart, she said.
Cosgrave, a retired major general with the New Jersey Air National Guard, spoke of the flying aces he got to know during his military career, describing them as men of extraordinary courage.
“These men are gone, but they are never forgotten,” he said. “A true hero stays with you. Remember yours.”
Close to 100 people gathered in the park, which was named in honor of Staff Sgt. William Godfrey. Most wore masks and kept distance between them, with folding chairs set up in front of a podium and more people standing along the back.
Among those who addressed the crowd was Mike Merlino, president of the Somers Point chapter of the American Legion Riders, a motorcycle club that often participates in events related to veterans and patriotic causes. Several members of the club also attended the event. The club is part of the Clark-Eliason American Legion Post 352.
He spoke of one of his heroes who recently died, Tony “Mig” Migliaccio, who served as a firefighter in Ocean City and with the Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company and participated in the Red Knights, a motorcycle club for firefighters.
“Tony never stopped serving his community. He served with honor and integrity,” Merlino said. He added that he honors his friend’s memory while surrounded by other heroes.
He said he had a speech all planned, but tragedy drove home the meaning of a hero to the American Legion riders. He started to describe a hero, according to Google, but paused.
“It’s funny, I’m 66 years old. I grew up with the Encyclopedia Britannica and Webster’s dictionary. Today we’re dealing with Google and Wikipedia,” he said. “A hero is a person who’s admired, who’s idealized for courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities.”
In addition to the speakers, members of the Rotary Club read off the names of the heroes represented by the flags, and the names of the sponsors. Proceeds from the event will support the Rotary Club’s local youth programs in Ocean City and Upper Township.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing you’ve done. This display is simply awesome. It’s inspiring,” Cosgrave said.
He said he dwelled upon what to say after Scheck asked him to speak.
“I thought I’d tell you about my heroes,” he said. “Looking back at my career as a fighter pilot in the Air Force, and I flew fighters for 30 years, I realize now that I was at the right place and the right time, a lot of it pure happenstance and good luck.”
In his career, he got to know many ace fighter pilots “and good things happened in my life,” Cosgrave said.