By:Alec Moore
The Township Committee paid homage to the Malko family of Belle Mead at last week’s Township Committee meeting for their courage and selfless devotion to America’s war effort during World War II.
"America always has its generation of heroes and my generation certainly owes your generation a debt of gratitude for what we have today," said Mayor Joe Tricarico just before presenting Alex Malko with a proclamation, honoring he and his five brothers for their service to the United States during the war.
Mr. Malko served in the U.S. Marine Corp. during the war while four of his brothers Buddy, Michael, Russell and Steven served in the US. Army. His brother Frederick Malko served in the U.S. Navy.
"I didn’t want to be in the Army, so I snuck off to Newark and joined the Marine Corps," said Mr. Malko after receiving the proclamation. "I’m very honored to be receiving this," he said of the proclamation and the township’s recognition of he and his brothers.
Mr. Malko, and his brothers Michael and Russell, are Purple Heart recipients.
Mayor Tricarico expressed that Mr. Malko is a true American hero.
"The people we see on television are not necessarily heroes, it’s the people who work hard, take care of their family and serve their community and their country."