For Immediate Release – September 7, 2017
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – The Middletown Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a rededication ceremony on Saturday, September 9th at 11:00 a.m. for the Township’s Vietnam Veterans Monument.
The Veteran Affairs Committee has been researching and verifying names on the Township’s four veterans monuments and discovered that three names were missing from the Vietnam Veterans Monument.
“The Township Committee and I are truly thankful for the time and commitment our Veterans Affairs Committee has dedicated to uncovering missing names on our local veterans monuments,” said Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger. “This will be an important service for our Vietnam Veterans who were Killed in Action and their families, and a fitting tribute to honor them.”
Uras Monuments of Middletown generously donated their time and added the following names to the monument:
George P. Berg, Army, CWO
Thomas H. Birch, Marine, CPL
Dennis W. Klein, Army, SP4
Other names listed on the monument include:
Alfred Bauer, Navy, FN
Richard J. Belicose, Army, SGT
Thomas L. Blevins, Marine, CPL
Gregory W. Butler, Army, PFC
John W. Doherty, Navy, 2LT
Robert A. Kolas, Marine, LCPL
Donald A. Mouritzen, Army, SP5
John D. Pape, Army, SGT
Robert E. Rocky, Air Force, CAPT
William A. Schulz, Marine, CPL
“These soldiers deserve to be recognized for their service to our country,” said Dennis Beauregard, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. “We care about our veterans and their families, and this is a dignified way to honor them and their sacrifices.”
Re-dedication ceremony details:
Date: Saturday, September 9th
Time: 11:00 a.m. (shuttle transportation from VFW starts at 10:15 a.m.)
Location: VFW Post 2179, 1 Veterans Lane, Port Monmouth
The Veterans Affairs Committee has arranged to have two shuttle buses transport all who will be attending to pay their respects to and from the ceremony at the Middletown Vietnam Veterans Monument in Middletown.
The veterans’ families and the general public are invited to attend. The half hour ceremony will include members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 721 and Chapter 12 with a Color Guard posting the colors and raising flags, an invocation, remarks, reading of names, and a rose dedication for the families. There will also be a bagpiper and “Taps” will be played.
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