By CRAIG D. SCHENCK
Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — City Council saluted a hometown hero July 11, congratulating and thanking a native son for his commitment and sacrifice.
U.S. Navy Aviation Electrician 2nd Class Petty Officer Keegan McDevitt, who grew up on Higbee Avenue in the city’s historic district, recently was honored for a second consecutive time with the Sailor of the Quarter award for his squadron, HSM71.
According to a resolution honoring the sailor, the 2015 Mainland Regional High School graduate “felt the need to serve his country” and enlisted in Navy in July 2020.
McDevitt is an air warfare specialist maintaining MH-60 Romeo Scout 702 antisubmarine warfare helicopters. As part of the honor, his name and hometown were affixed to one of the helicopters.
He recently completed a deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Later this month, he is set to begin a seven-month stint aboard the USS Stockdale DDG 106 guided missile destroyer “bound for the world’s trouble spots.”
The resolution notes the city has a long history of supporting members of the armed forces, both active duty and veterans.
“The mayor and City Council of the city of Somers Point congratulates and thanks you for your dedication to serving this nation,” it stated.
Councilman Howard Dill, who was a drill sergeant and staff sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserves from 1969-1975, told McDevitt he knows it’s not always an easy job.
“I appreciate you and your family for what you provide for this country,” Dill said.
“The sacrifice you are making and have made when you signed up, we can’t express our appreciation enough,” Councilman Sean McGuigan said. “You, through your excellent work, have put a bright light on Somers Point by having our town put on that helicopter for the entire world to see.”
He said McDevitt makes the community proud.
“Having you grow up here and turning out as you have, it puts a warm feeling in my heart that we’re doing something right in Somers Point when we produce young men like you who are willing to serve this country,” McGuigan said.
Mayor Dennis Tapp noted he was a career electrician but never had to work aboard an aircraft carrier, “so I have so much more respect for you.”
“We are so proud of you and godspeed,” he said.
Safe Routes to Schools grant,
busy holiday concerts
In other business, Tapp announced that the city received a $771,000 Safe Routes to Schools grant to fund work “focusing on Jordan Road and Dawes Avenue schools, installing curbs, extensions, rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the intersections, sidewalks, curb improvements and radar feedback signs.”
Council President Janice Johnston noted the city does not have to put out any money for the project.
The mayor also thanked the police, fire and public works departments and the office of emergency management for safely and efficiently handling two straight days of concerts on the beach to celebrate Independence Day. The city had a concert July 4 and July 5.
“The place was packed,” Tapp said. “I want to thank Guy Martin and Public Works for making that beach pristine, then cleaning everything up and getting it ready for Friday night.”
He also thanked Chief Robert Somers and the police department.
“Any time you get 1,000 people together, especially in today’s world, and you have no issues, the police being there keeps everything safe,” he said.
And he thanked Fire Chief Mike Sweeney for bringing emergency vehicles to the scene.
“I think it’s great that they volunteer their time to go down there,” he said.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
