It was Saturday, Oct. 1, 1949, when more than 3,000 residents, sports fan, politicians including Governor Alfred E. Driscoll all gathered on West Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands to officially dedicate the fire department’s new memorial athletic field.
The Governor participated in the first play on the new field when he kicked off a football to start the Neptune-Atlantic Highlands match. The bad news is Neptune was victorious in the game, trouncing the local team 30-8.
However, the loss did not take the excitement away from the festivities of the day, with Congressman James C. Auchincloss praising the efforts of all who made the new field possible, and for the fire department’s dedication to the borough calling the volunteers the cornerstone of the community. Auchincloss said the volunteers efforts and dedication to the borough “do not stop at putting out fires.”
A silent tribute was paid to the late Dr. Thomas C. McVey, a former mayor instrumental in the department’s dedication of the field, and well as current Mayor Waldron P. Smith, who welcomed the crowd to the event.
It took four years of planning and volunteer work to create the field, which is dedicated to the men of the community who gave their lives during World War II.
Participating in the ceremonies were members of the Lions, Club, St. Agnes School, Croydon Hall Academy, girl and boy scout troops, as well as Sea Scouts and cub scouts.
