Atlantic Highlands Veterans Affairs Commission
The Atlantic Highlands Veterans Affairs Commission, formed last July, has a series of plans and ideas designed to bring recognition to veterans of all branches of military service, both living and deceased, one of the missions of the committee whose members are appointed by Mayor Loretta Gluckstein with consent of council.
Most visible of the plans ongoing and in place are the poster size photos of three of the veterans named on the stone at Veterans Park across the street from Borough Hall which were on display at a recent meeting of the governing body. Each of the military members cited on the plaque in Veterans Park were killed in action during World War II.
“These are the beginning of the research effort to have all borough residents learn more about these local residents who served during World War II and possibly World War I, “said Regina Keelan, who was elected by the Veterans Affairs Commission to serve as chairman for the first year.
The Veterans Affairs Commission was formed by Ordinance last year to become effective this past January and is limited to five members, at least three of whom must be active military or veterans of a military service.
With the initial Veterans Affairs Commission membership elected to staggered year terms, in the future all terms will be for three years. Serving two-year terms as members of the initial commission are Peter Doyle and Ellen O’Dwyer, with Andrew Zuzulock serving a one-year term and Bob Sherman and Hawley each serving three-year terms. All but Hawley are veterans of one of the military services. Councilwoman Eileen Cusack serves this year as council representative to the governing body.
Missions of the Veterans Affairs Commission include relaying the concerns of veterans to the Mayor and Council as well as providing veterans with information on local, state and federal programs which may be available to them.
The Veterans Affairs Commission is also committed to researching and analyzing the needs of local veterans in order to make recommendations to the governing body so those needs could be addressed. It is also committed to researching and providing information to the governing body on the accomplishments of veterans so they can be recognized by the general public.
Hawley said having the veterans photographs which are at borough hall is part of the mission to recognize veterans and learn more about those already identified and recognized at Veterans Park.
The goal is to produce photos of each of those men who gave their lives for the nation and have them in our first displays, along with biographical information on each, at borough hall.
“Each of these men, though I don’t know them, inspires me for the very fact they served in our military and defended our country,” said Hawley, enthusiastically explaining how Veterans Affairs Commission members are reaching out to descendants and other family members of each of the men to gather the information.
Plans also call for making changes to Veterans Park to make it a focal point in the borough and to ensure everyone knows the specific reason why the park is dedicated to veterans. Some of those ideas could include a sprinkler system to maintain the lawn, possibly areas for picnics where parents can bring their children and explain the importance of the nation’s military and the volunteerism that keeps the nation protected. Possibly planting poppies, known as the flower honoring fallen military since the time of the Civil War and ensuring that any trees planted in Veterans Park be planted in honor of someone who has served as a veteran.
“These are all long-term plans, we know,” Hawley said, noting the ordinance creating the Veterans Affairs Commission does not include any budgetary line. “But we want to look long range, have goals and do something to be sure our military are remembered and honored.”
Hawley said the Commission also welcomes ideas from the public on how it can honor veterans of all wars, or how it can find innovative ways to ensure today’s residents who are veterans are fully aware of any grants, programs, or assistance to which they are entitled because of their service, including information on tax deductions to which they may be entitled..
World War II veterans listed on the stone in Veterans Park who gave their lives during the War are John Joy, John Pape, John Daly, James Latta, Paul Brunig, David Bashan, Bruce Cowden, Corval Mosely, John Gallagher, Edward Johnson, Edward Finnegan, Ralph Ricciardelli, William McLaughlin, and Paul Brunig, who may be a veteran of World War I.
Persons having any information on any of the Atlantic Highlands veterans, or having ideas on how the Commission can honor former military members, are invited to call Hawley at 908-902-8743 pr e-mail her at rhawleykeelen@gmail.com
