SEASIDE HEIGHTS – It is the mission of the American Legion to support veterans and to make sure they are recognized and remembered for their role in preserving the freedoms America enjoys. The AL Shore Boros Post #351 did just that in a very special service held on Memorial Day.
The Post has an enduring history which includes a long struggle in recovering from the impact of SuperStorm Sandy. In recent years with the rebuilding of its severely damaged front room area, they can once again host ceremonies, dinners and fundraisers to support the programs that help veterans.
This particular Memorial Day was unique as it served to bring a measure of closure to a Seaside Heights family. Michael Graichen and his family are long-time residents of the borough. He has served as a borough councilman and currently serves on the Central Regional Board of Education and as the public affairs director of the community. His father Edmund was 49 years old when he died on May 7, 1942 while serving in the United States Navy as chief machinist’s mate (CMM) assigned to the USS Sims DD-409 in World War II.
CMM Graichen was “Killed in Action-Missing in Action” while serving aboard the Sims during the Battle of the Coral Sea when the vessel was struck by Japanese dive bombers dropping three 550-pound bombs. The ship soon sank with only 15 survivors out of more than 200 crew members.
At the time of his death, CMM Graichen had served in the Navy for 32 years. His remains were non-recoverable and his name was listed on “The Tablets of the Missing” at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. He lived on Blaine Avenue and was survived by his wife and two sons.
Michael was born after his father Edmund was deployed, and they never met. Michael Graichen and his family were present for the ceremony that honored CMM Graichen and recognized the other servicemen from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Operation Enduring Freedom from Lavallette, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and other coastal communities.
Outgoing Post Commander Jerry Skinner who coordinated and hosted this year’s ceremony introduced Past Commander Chuck Robbins who has held various State and National American Legion offices over the years and retired last year from his position with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. On behalf of Governor Mikie Sherrill who could not be present at the ceremony, he presented Mike Graichen and his family the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.
“I am at a loss for words and I am never usually at a loss for words,” Graichen remarked standing beside his wife and children. He thanked the Central Regional ROTC who came out as the color guard. “I am very proud of them they did a great job.” He also thanked the members of Boy Scout Troop 21 who came out and were part of the day’s program.
Compiling the history of each of the Shore Boros Post #351 Fallen Heroes was U.S. Army veteran and author William J. “Duff” Duffy who served in the Army from 1968 until 1971. “Since I was a child, my dad, a World War II combat veteran, would often be found reading books about World War II. Whenever he put them down, I would immediately pick them up and read them too.”
“There is no better way to satisfy your thirst for American military history than researching the true American heroes, who went off to war and did not come home. Millions of Americans, including myself, came home-they did not. Their sacrifices must be told. They must be remembered,” Duffy remarked.
“Special thanks to Bill Duffy. He found in a matter of weeks the history of my father’s service record and items about my family that we have been looking for, for years,” Graichen added.
Duffy noted that he hoped to see the Post involved in building a memorial wall that would serve to honor all the Fallen Heroes of those he had researched from along the barrier island communities.
.
