Veterans Day Celebrated in Asbury Park
World War II veteran Lou Parisi serves as Master of Ceremonies
In serving of as Master of Ceremonies during Friday’s Annual VFW Harold Daley Post 1333 Veterans Day Ceremony, World War II Veteran Louis ‘Lou’ Parisi reminded an audience of close to 100 people that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’
In recalling the iconic U.S. flag raising image taken 71 years ago on Feb. 24 on Mount Suribachi, Parisi, of Loch Arbour [at right] said:
“More than any of the tens of thousands of pictures taken during, not only World War II, during Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, and today in our war against terror, we see in that graphic unforgettable photo five Marines and a Navy Corpsman raising the flag on Iwo Jima. I remember that very well. When that picture was taken, I was an 18-year-old on a transport going to a rendezvous area in the South Pacific to join two other Marine divisions and four Army divisions in the attack on Okinawa, the last major battle that brought an end to World War II.”
Parisi, 90, a long time post member and past commander of the historic Lake Avenue post, served from 1944 to 1946.
Post Commander Frank Brogna [shown at left in feature photo] spoke of the history of the armed services and the continued service today’s Veterans undertake for those in their communities and the Asbury Park High School Marching Band performed.
Jewish War Veterans Post 125 Commander Alan Silva spoke of being called to duty 4:45 a.m. following the assassination of President John F Kennedy.
“There I was twirling around a .45 caliber handgun that I had never fired and I started to think what does this all mean,” he said. “Well it means we are here to serve.”
Mayor John Moor said in a written statement:
“Asbury Park’s history of service stretches back as long as there has been an Asbury Park. It’s an honor, and an important duty, to salute what they have given to this city, and this country. We pay tribute to the memory of those who are no longer with us, as well as the veterans who are still a part of our community.”
Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton read the poem ‘Thanking Veterans,’ and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, and Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn shared words of gratitude for the Veterans’ service.
The ceremony also honored Asbury Park Police Officer of the Year, Sean DeShader and Asbury Park Firefighter of the Year, Bryan Condon.
Post Commander Brogna said DeShader was recognized for his ability to think quickly and decisively while distinguishing himself as a proactive member of law enforcement. DeShader, who once served with the Prosecutor’s Narcotic Strike Force Unit, is a member of the Asbury Park Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, who single handedly removed 63 guns from the streets.
Asbury Park Fire Chief Kevin Keddy said Condon was being honored for his participation in the rescue of four swimmers caught in rip currents off Fifth Avenue Beach over the summer.
“As he caught up to the swimmers, they were disorganized and panicked,” Keddy said. “He pulled the worst swimmer across the rescue board and had the others hold on to recover strength. Fighting the current and balancing the exhausted swimmers on the board, Firefighter Condon expertly negotiated the surf, returning everyone to the safety of the beach.”
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