Submitted by Herb Stern/American Legion Post 469 Adjutant Dennis McGuigan presents U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Phillip Fong with an American flag and certificate during a reception held at LaBarca at Seaview Harbor.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT Public officials, American Legion members, supporters and the public honored this year's Wounded Warrior Week recipient U.S. Navy CPO Phillip Fong and his family at a formal dinner and reception held at LaBarca in Seaview Harbor.
American Legion Post 469 Commander Larry Pacentrilli welcomed Fong and his family, wife Sylvia, and sons, Phill, 11 , Will, 9, and Dill, 7. Pacentrilli provided information about his many years of service, including overcoming the effects of cerebral malaria and encephalitis contracted while he was deployed in Monrovia, Liberia, his recovery and continued service helping other service members wounded in action, and competing in the international Invictus Games.
The family was selected as the Legion's 12th annual recipients of a weeklong, all-expense-paid vacation at the Jersey Shore that included staying in a beach-block residence, dinners, boat tour, and a trip to the Ocean City boardwalk, all donated by area supporters.
NJ Assemblyman Don Guardian addresses the crowd gathered to honor U.S. Navy CPO Phillip Wong.
Mayor Nicholas Russo presented Fong with the key to the borough and a mounted 3-D printed replica of the borough's iconic smiley-faced water tower. Post Adjutant Dennis McGuigan presented him with a framed American flag and proclamation of appreciation. Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo represented U.S. Congressman Jeff Van Drew, and NJ Assemblyman Don Guardian presented proclamations on behalf of the NJ State Legislature. Commissioner John Risley, chairman of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners, also presented Fong with proclamations from the board and Atlantic County Executive. Retired U.S. Army Major Gen. Thomas J. Matthews also addressed the gathering and escorted Fong to the dinner reception.
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