SEASIDE HEIGHTS – Residents, borough officials, American Legion members and even family pets came out for this year’s Memorial Day ceremony hosted by Shore Boro’s American Legion Post #351.
The service held outside the Bay Boulevard building was well attended and restored a familiar tradition for the Post and the community. Last year’s ceremony was more private due to the COVID-19 pandemic but improved conditions and good weather allowed for public attendance.
Former Post Commander Chuck Robbins, who serves as the National Executive Committeeman from the American Legion Department of NJ and works for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, served as master of ceremonies at the event.
“Let us never lose focus on what Memorial Day means. It’s not about beaches, picnics or auto races. It is a day to remember,” Robbins said.
Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz noted that the COVID-19 pandemic taught us many things, one of which was the importance of community and mutual cooperation. “We realized that there was a fear factor in our country with this dreadful pandemic that was here. People today realize the importance and value of those people who contribute to our safety and our freedom for this year and a half and are therefore heroes.”
He added that first responders who have aided with the pandemic have shown the same kind of heroism as “those we are here to honor today. It made me think about the word ‘hero.’ What is a hero? A hero is someone who goes beyond caring and puts their life on the line to sacrifice their life such as our deceased comrades that died in war.
“People who put their life on the line, they are heroes,” the mayor said, noting there was a distinction between those we admire, such as athletes and entertainers. The mayor said he admired the winner of the recent PGA tournament “but he’s not a hero. My point being is that we honor heroes. Those who have passed and who died to give us our freedom.”
The mayor said, “I am an optimistic person but we are going through trying times throughout our country. No one will ever divide us if we remember our heroes. We continue to this day to celebrate, and I use the word celebrate, it is a way of saying thank you to our heroes that gave us our freedom.”
Mayor Vaz introduced the members of council who were present for the day’s ceremony. Wreaths were presented by the American Legion, Seaside Heights Fire Company, Cub Scouts and Borough Republican Club. The local Cub Scout Pack led the Pledge of Allegiance and helped place the wreaths at the Post’s monument area that was adored with small American flags. Legion member Paul Lerin sang the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”
Post Chaplin Ian Worrell provided the prayers. “We are here out of love for those who came before us and for a love of where to live, who we can associate with, a love of who we worship, who we want to give charity to so the driving factor here is love.
“Love of country, love of values and the greatest way to memorialize those that made the greatest sacrifice is to show our love for America by living those ideals of integrity, honesty, generosity, and to remember, the bottom line is love,” Worrell added.
Post Commander and Navy veteran Bill Kevish said, “we are one nation, one flag. We are all proud to be Americans as we live in a free society made up of many people, many races and many walks of life. The freedoms we enjoy today have not come without a price. Lying in cemeteries throughout this nation are men and women of our military who gave their lives so we could live in freedom and without fear.”
Borough resident Frank Parese, who served in the Navy during World War II provided some history of how Memorial Day came about noting it was originally called “Decoration Day and was later changed in 1950 to Memorial Day. It was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetery.”
Nancy Robbins, who is the president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #351, said “To all the veterans here, thank you for your service. To those here that have loved one serving, thank you for letting them serve our great country. To everyone else thank you for remembering. All of you here today understand the need for service and you appreciate the sacrifices many have made.”
