LONGPORT – American Legion Post 469, led by Commander Larry Pacentrilli, held its annual Veterans Day service on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, according to American tradition.
The Post honored veterans of all branches of the military and thanked them for their service defending freedoms some Americans take for granted. Pacentrilli said veterans make up 2% of the population.
Included in the ceremony was the laying of wreaths. The Post also added 10 bricks bearing the names of area veterans in the walkway surrounding the sundial monument which commemorates important dates in American military history. Family members of those honored attended the service. After the paver was set, the family was given a small American flag and the veteran honored with a two-gun salute.
Pacentrilli opened the ceremony noting that the sundial had cast a shadow on the golden disc depicting 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. Children from the Margate schools attended the event to sing the national anthem and “God Bless America,” but before they left the park, their teacher gave them a brief overview of the monument and how it works casting its shadow on military dates throughout history.
Mayor Nicholas Russo was on hand to provide his last Veterans Day speech as the borough’s mayor. He is serving his last few months as the spokesperson for the borough’s citizens, and a newly elected slate of candidates will take the reigns of local government on Jan. 15, 2025.
Russo, now retired, recalled that as an inspector of the NJ Division of Criminal Justice, his office was relocated to what was then called Fort Dix. Today, it is known as Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst.
He said that every day he went to work, he passed a large statue of an Army infantryman and a sign that read “Fort Dix, Home of the Ultimate Weapon.”
Although he didn’t realize it at the time, the sign made a “profound and symbolic” statement, he said.
“When I finally had the opportunity to read the inscription, the Ultimate Weapon was the men and women of the Armed Forces,” he said. “The only indispensable instrument of war is the American soldier. It means that each veteran served as America’s ultimate weapon – it’s the human component. You, as veterans, have the attribute of valor, the attribute of commitment and the attribute of patriotism.”
The crowd was invited to Borough Hall for a reception hosted by the staff at the Longport Public Library. During the luncheon, Pacentrilli gave special recognition to three people who have assisted the Post over the last 16 years.
City Clerk Monica Kyle was awarded a Challenge Coin in gratitude for being the liaison between the veteran’s group and the governing body. Library Director Ricky Gerhardt was recognized for his support during special events conducted by the Post. And finally, Russo was recognized for his outstanding support of the events conducted by the Post, such as the Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Wounded Warrior Week programs.
Those honored with inscriptions in the brick walkway are:
SFC John Serpente, U.S. Navy
PFC John Gentile, U.S. Army
Radioman 2nd Class Domenic Santine, Jr. U.S. Navy
SN Angelo Visco, U.S. Coast Guard
Cpl. Lew Winokur, U.S. Army
Capt. Eugene Carroccia MD, U.S Army
Capt. Charles D. Saalman, U.S. Army
PVT George W. Lutz, U.S. Army
SPC-4 William G. Saalman, U.S. Army
Petty Officer 1st Class Robert P. Saalman, U.S. Navy
The Longport American Legion held its annual Veterans Day service in Thomas B. Reed Memorial Park.Copyright Access Network 2024
