WARETOWN – The Township of Ocean celebrated two landmark anniversaries July 4 as residents gathered beneath the waterfront pavilion at Corliss Park to honor America’s 250th birthday while also commemorating the township’s own 150th anniversary with music, history and patriotic traditions.
The program opened with the presentation of the colors by Barnegat American Legion Post 232, followed by a performance of the National Anthem by local resident Mitch Bernstein. Pastor Dawn Corlew of Waretown United Methodist Church then offered the invocation, giving thanks for the nation’s freedoms while praying for the community, first responders and the men and women who have sacrificed in service to the country.
In his welcoming remarks, Mayor Ken Baulderstone reminded those gathered that Independence Day commemorates far more than fireworks and family traditions. He reflected on the nation’s founding, beginning with the Continental Congress’ vote for independence on July 2, 1776, and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence two days later.
The mayor said the United States was founded on the revolutionary principle that government derives its authority from the people rather than birthright, creating a model that inspired democratic governments throughout the world. Quoting journalist Elmer Davis, he reminded the audience that “this nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
Baulderstone also reflected on the sacrifices made by generations of servicemen and women. “Their dedication has preserved the freedoms we enjoy and made gatherings like this possible,” he said as he welcomed residents to celebrate both America’s semiquincentennial and Ocean Township’s rich history.
Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi followed by congratulating the township on its 150th anniversary before sharing his own journey to America. Having immigrated to the United States as a teenager more than 50 years ago, Sadeghi spoke about the opportunities the country provided him, from earning an engineering degree to building successful engineering and construction businesses.
“I still wake up every morning with that same sense of pride, that same sense of opportunity, same sense of hope that I did when I was a teenager back 50 years ago,” Sadeghi said. “We are the fortunate few that live in this country with everything that it provides for all of us.”
As Sadeghi concluded, Baulderstone smiled and remarked, “From one immigrant to another immigrant,” noting that both men had come to the United States from other countries before eventually calling Ocean County home.
The mayor also read a congressional proclamation from Congressman Jeff Van Drew recognizing the Township of Ocean’s 150th anniversary and honoring its contributions to New Jersey and the nation.
Remembering Local Patriots
The celebration then turned to local Revolutionary War history with a presentation by Adele Sattler Shaw, vice president and historian of the Waretown Historical Society. Rather than focusing on the familiar stories of Boston and Philadelphia, Shaw highlighted the often-overlooked role local residents played in the fight for independence, recounting stories of privateers battling British ships on Barnegat Bay, local militia members defending the area and the exploits of the notorious Loyalist “Bloody John” Bacon. Her presentation illustrated how the Revolutionary War reached the Jersey Shore and how Waretown families helped shape the nation’s struggle for independence.
Waretown Historical Society President Aidan O’Hearn followed with a reading of the Declaration of Independence before society member John Pawlowski dedicated a newly planted Red Rocket crape myrtle beside the Little Red Schoolhouse Museum annex. The crape myrtle, Waretown’s official tree since 2006, was planted to commemorate both America’s 250th birthday and the township’s sesquicentennial.
Following the ceremony, attendees made their way to the nearby Little Red Schoolhouse, where the celebration concluded with the ringing of the historic school bell.
According to Township Administrator Diane Ambrosio, Baulderstone asked former Mayor Dan Collamer to perform the honor because of his longstanding connection to the bell. “Dan was the one who welded it and put it in the Little Red Schoolhouse in front and up in the bell tower,” Ambrosio said.
At exactly 2 p.m., Collamer rang the bell 13 times, representing the original 13 colonies and joining communities across the country participating in the national Let Freedom Ring observance marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Afterward, visitors were invited to enjoy complimentary hot dogs and refreshments, continuing an old-fashioned Independence Day tradition while celebrating both the nation’s founding and 150 years of Township of Ocean history.
Also attending the celebration were State Senator Carmen Amato, Jr., Assemblyman Greg Myhre, Waretown Committee members Lydia Dodd and Ben LoParo, and Ocean County Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Robert Arace.
