Salute to Patriotism Gala Celebrates 21st Anniversary of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



The Gala on October 27 will honor New Jersey Senate President Senator Steve Sweeney for his support of Veterans

Holmdel, NJ (September 15, 2016) – This year’s New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation Salute to Patriotism Gala will celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Memorial and honor Senator Steve Sweeney for his support of veterans and active duty military. The gala will be held Thursday, October 27, with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m., at the Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, 20 Shore Oaks Drive, Farmingdale, NJ. Since 1995, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial has provided a place to honor those who have served and continue to serve our country. The Memorial is a place “To Remember, To Heal, To Honor” through ceremonies and outreach programs. The adjacent Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center is the only museum of its kind in America.

Senator Steve Sweeney, the President of the New Jersey Senate since 2010, has represented the Third Legislative District since 2002, and has been a leader on important state issues, including fighting to improve the lives of our state’s Veterans. As Senate President, he has dedicated himself to making sure New Jersey Veterans are treated with dignity and respect. The Senator oversaw the passage and enactment of numerous pieces of legislation benefitting Veterans and their families including:

• Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program telephone hotline
• Military Dependents Scholarship Fund Act
• Veterans Haven Council to protect Veterans against the danger of homelessness
• Tax and incentive programs for Veterans and Veteran-owned businesses

Senator Sweeney has long believed that Veterans are among the most dedicated and hardworking individuals, and fought for the Helmets to Hardhats Program that assists Veterans looking for work in the construction industry, particularly through a partnership with the Turnpike Authority. To make sure Veterans receive the public recognition for their sacrifice that they deserve, Senator Sweeney successfully called for legislation and resolutions to rename several roadways in honor of our state’s military men and women, including designating a portion of Route 47 in Glassboro as “South Jersey Vietnam Veterans Highway.”

While serving as Gloucester County Freeholder Director, Senator Sweeney committed himself to making sure Veterans had a strong advocate. Some of his most significant accomplishments include creating a full-time Veterans Affairs Office, opening a health clinic for Veterans, building the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery and beginning the acclaimed Wall of Heroes Memorial to honor those men and women killed or missing in action in service to the United States Military.


The Gala will feature an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, silent auction and live music. Tickets are $200 for individuals and $400 for couples. Dress is business attire. Moderator for the evening is Jack Ford, noted legal analyst.

Michael Warner is the Gala Chair, and Gala Vice Chairs are Senator Dawn Addiego, Senator James Beach, Bobby Briant, Jr., Duane Sarmiento, and Sheriff Whip Wilson. The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation Executive Director is Bill Linderman and the Board of Trustees are Chairman Clark W. Martin, Bobby Briant, Jr., Roy D. Budd, Harry Chowansky III, Francis P. Crotty, James S. Cusick, Beverly Fedorko-Ott, Thomas P. Ford, Jess Le Vine, Robert W. Looby, Frank A. Messineo, Gordon S. Pingicer, W. Peter Ragan, Sr., John C. Ricker, Harry Sassaman, Jack Tully, Michael Warner, Gilbert “Whip” Wilson, and Herb Worthington.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 732-335-0033 or visit www.njvvmf.org.

Former Middletown Mayor Attacks Committeeman's Patriotism

In response to Middletown’s former Mayor Tom Hall, someone who couldn’t stand to answer questions he didn’t like or take the heat when people demanded answers and finally stepped down from the township governing body because of it, just can’t get over his strange and personally vindictive obsession with Middletown’s Democratic Committeeman Patrick Short.

This obscene obsession seems to resemble a jilted lover’s scorn at being left at the alter or in Hall’s case, at being rejected by Short when Hall offered to take him under his wing soon after being elected to the township committee.

In every letter that Tom Hall seems to write, he wants an apology from Short for something that, in his mind may or may not have happened months or years ago! In his latest letter to the Atlantic Highlands Herald that was published on 9/22/09 however has gone too far and demands a rebuttal.

How on earth does Tom G. Hall, former Mayor of Middletown, get off questioning a West Point graduate and a retired Army Lt. Colonel’s patriotism? How dare he try to insinuate that a man who served his country proudly, so that all who didn’t serve could live free, is anything less than noble in order to score some trivial political points against a man who is seeking re-election, by carelessly writing that Patrick Short will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance before meetings!

I have stood next to Patrick when the pledge is taking place. His hand is on his heart and he looks at our flag; in my opinion, silent prayers are more powerful than those that are spoken - so are pledges. It is his business alone where his heart, mind and soul are, or are not. It definitely is none of my business. His mouth not moving does not mean anything more than his mouth is not moving, nothing more, and nothing less. To judge ones patriotism or love of country on silence during a pledge is a judgment of a petty and shallow person.

A good part of what our country stands for and is deeply rooted in is freedom of expression. Everyone has the right to express their freedom in words, song or silence. Patrick's military service to our country has more substance and expresses more allegiance than a pledge spoken or said in silence.

When one bows ones head in silence in remembrance of others at the begining of Township Committee meetings, or other events, is that any less powerful or meaningful or reverent than speaking in remembrance? I find silence powerful and reverently fulfilling when remembering what our country stands for, especially when in remembrance of others.

Tom Hall is entitled to be a moron; unfortunately he invests a lot of time practicing at being one. This is a childish attempt at a "Got-Cha " moment by a small, frightened member of the opposition, who thinks he is helping… little does he know.