This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Point Boro Holds 10th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

Alan Sherman honored

Alan Sherman was the kind of person who reached out to others.

Point Pleasant Councilman Chris Leitner, who was a couple of years behind Sherman in high school, remembers him as the kind of guy who tried to show underclassmen the ropes. Bill Dikun remembers Sherman’s years of volunteer work with Legacy Fire Company 2.

On Sunday, Sherman was among those honored for their military service – and remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice – at Point Pleasant’s 10th annual Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony.

Find out what's happening in Point Pleasantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Al really seemed to find himself when he joined the Marine Reserves,” said Dikun, the former councilman, who emceed the ceremony. “He was glad to serve.”

Sherman, who died in combat in 2004 in Iraq at the age of 36, was one of nearly a dozen names read off by Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, as he reminded the audience of the sacrifice made by so many.

Find out what's happening in Point Pleasantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“They are like generation after generation who have responded to our nation’s call,” Little said. “We should be very proud of them. They are just as strong, just as fierce as those who went before them, and this is exemplified by the Navy Seals who dropped in, in the dead of night, to deliver justice to the murderous man who set off a world war and killed 3,000 Americans.”

Little honored the achievements and sacrifices of past generations as well, making special note of Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell and Don Marshall, both of whom died earlier this year.

Lomell, from Toms River, Little noted, was the more well-known as one of two Army Rangers who overcame a gunshot wound and nearly impossible odds to scale a cliff at Normandy and disable the guns firing on the Americans – which allowed for the successful invasion at Normandy that turned the tide of World War II.

Little lauded Marshall, of Berkeley, for his tireless advocacy on behalf of veterans in Ocean County, which Little said boasts the largest number of veterans in the state.

“We are thankful for all who have fought valiantly,” Little said.

Point Pleasant Mayor William Schroeder briefly addressed the audience, first thanking Dikun and Christine Belesky of the borough clerk’s office for their efforts in organizing the ceremonies, which included several past Grand Marshalls whose service spanned World War II to Iraq. He noted this was a day to remember not only who served and who gave their lives, but to reflect on why their service matters – because it protects the freedoms we all cherish.

“There’s a song that says freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose, but you and I know freedom is everything,” Schroeder said.

The ceremonies opened with 11-year-old Gracie Enright, a fifth-grader at Nellie Bennett School, belting out the national anthem; a performance of “This Is My Country” by the Point Pleasant High School band, and the presentation of wreaths by Schroeder and Leitner on behalf of the mayor and council and by Councilman John McHugh and Carol Walkner for the borough’s Chamber of Commerce, and a 21-gun salute by VFW Post 4175 that included both veterans and active military members, followed by “Taps” performed in a duet by Point Pleasant Boro sophomore Zack Paulus and junior Scott Ferguson.

“In a few short months we will mark the 10th anniversary of the deadliest attack against America,” Little said, reciting the prayer then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld gave on the first Cabinet meeting after the attacks, on Sept. 14:

“Ever-faithful God, in death we are reminded of the precious birthrights of life and liberty You endowed in Your American people. You have shown once again that these gifts must never be taken for granted. We pledge to those whom You have called home, and ask of You – patience, to measure our lust for action; resolve, to strengthen our obligation to lead; wisdom, to illuminate our pursuit of justice, and strength, in defense of liberty. We seek Your special blessing today for those who stand as sword and shield, protecting the many from the tyranny of the few. Our enduring prayer is that You shall always guide our labors and that our battles shall always be just.” We pray this day, Heavenly Father, the prayer our nation learned at another time of righteous struggle and noble cause – America’s enduring prayer: Not that God will be on our side, but always, O Lord, that America will be on Your side.”

“Let us remember our fallen heroes, who stood as sword and shield against the tyranny of the few,” Little said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?