VETERANS DAY

Margate dedicates banners to decorated veterans

Monday, November 10, 2025

MARGATE – Driving along Ventnor Avenue at 25-30 miles-per-hour didn’t give anyone the opportunity to read the banners about the many decorated veterans who hailed from Margate, retired Superior Court Judge James Savio said.

The banners honoring decorated veterans that were placed on utility poles on Ventnor Avenue in the Parkway section earlier this year were relocated to the promenade on Amherst Avenue where residents and visitors can slowly stroll and take in all of the contributions made by these “Margate heroes,” Savio said.

On Sunday, a large group of citizens gathered beneath the American flag flying from the top of the Margate City Fire Department’s extended ladder truck at Jefferson Avenue, to honor 38 of the city’s decorated veterans, some of whom were in attendance at the event.

After Taylor Pontari provided a fabulous rendition of the national anthem, Savio recognized six veterans, including Jack Scott, Dr. Eugene Carroccia, Ward Holland, Frank Sinagra and Rob Corey, all of whom served in Vietnam, and Pete Mucciarone, who served in Iraq.

Mayor Michael Collins said after other local communities in the area started recognizing veterans on banners, Savio and Senior Sanitation Inspector Anthony Edge worked with local veterans groups, including Jewish partisans, to get the banner program instituted in Margate.

“I was excited by the idea and encouraged him to follow through with that charge. I look forward to continuing to grow our program to recognized all of our local heroes,” Collins said.

According to Edge, who supervised moving the banners to the more appropriate location, the city will continue the program for non-decorated veterans, hanging new banners on the Washington Avenue Pier and down Washington Avenue pending completion of a pending streetscape improvement program. The existing banners will be removed for the winter and reinstalled before Memorial Day 2026.

“Decorated and non-decorated vets will be hung together in these locations,” Edge said.

Savio thanked all those involved in getting the banners made and installed, and The Margate Log Cabin for hosting a fundraising reception after the ceremony where proceeds collected will support the banner program’s continuation.

“The main reason we are here today is to salute their heroism,” Savio said, introducing the six decorated veterans:

Jack Scott a Marine Corps veteran, was awarded a Purple Heart in Vietnam.
Dr. Eugene Carroccia, was a medic in Vietnam who was awarded a Bronze Star for his service during the war.
Ward Holland, a Marine medivac helicopter pilot who flew 977 missions picking up wounded soldiers or Marines. He served two tours in Vietnam and was shot down six times by the enemy, his own men or from mechanical failures. He is the recipient of 47 air medals and the Navy and Marine Corps medals.
Frank Sinagra, also a Marine in Vietnam, is the recipient of three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. He traveled all the way from Michigan to attend the ceremony.
Margate lifeguard Pete Mucciarone, who served in the War in Iraq, was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for service in Fallujah.
Rob Corey, a Marine who fought in the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, and during a month-long skirmish, faced serious injury or came within inches of suffering serious bodily injuries more than 20 times. He left service as a company commander.

“Many of these men here today were vilified after their service in Vietnam. We are here today to make sure we thank them for their service and salute them for their heroism.” Savio said. “Unquestionably, these guys fit the description of Margate heroes and deserve to have a banner flown in their honor.”

Many others who were not decorated also deserve to be honored, he said.

“Whether it’s peace time or at war, they all deserve a banner,” he said.

Families wishing to honor a loved one with a banner are required to submit their military service record, which can be obtained through the office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who was present and spoke at the ceremony.

“You are the heroes of the day, and you are the heroes always,” he said. “With all the problems and challenges we have today…America truly is the greatest nation that ever existed on Earth…because of the men and women who fought, stood up and were willing to die for our nation.”

Van Drew, who served as a dentist in veterans hospitals, said there is no replacement for their service.

“There is nothing we can do that substitutes for what they did.” Van Drew said. “We remember them, we love them, care for them and we honor them, we are with them and stand shoulder to shoulder with them.”

Van Drew said he would honor all of them with a Congressional Proclamation, a Congressional Challenge Coin, and a VIP tour of the Capital. He will also give a speech honoring each of them individually, which will become part of the permanent record of the United States, he said.

The Absecon Island VFW Post 215 of Ventnor Honor Guard provided a three-volley gun salute and played TAPS to honor the fallen to close out the ceremony.

Anyone who would like to support the city’s ongoing banner program may send a donation, c/o Martin Ross, Jewish War Veterans, 424 N. Douglas Ave., Margate, NJ 08402.