Above: Onlookers watch as Maj. Gen. Randolph Strong (center) and fort police lower the American flag for the final time during the final retreat ceremony held at Fort Monmouth’s Cowan Park on Sept. 15. Right: Maj. Gen. Strong holds the flag after it was lowered. More photos at gmnews.com. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Under an ominous sky, a large crowd gathered around the flagpole at Cowan Park at Fort Monmouth on Sept. 15 to watch as theAmerican flag was lowered for the final time before the fort’s gates were officially locked.
The retreat ceremony on Sept. 15, marked the end of a daily tradition that has occurred at Fort Monmouth for the past 94 years. “It feels like we are saying goodbye to an old dear friend,” Col. Don Campbell, Army chaplain, said. “May we never forget.”
As if on cue, a light rain began to fall, blending with the tears on many faces.
George E. Fitzmaier, garrison manager, reflected on the history of the fort and the importance it held for so many.
“During the past 94 years Fort Monmouth has been a home for soldiers, engineers, scientists and so many more… people forged special relationships,” Fitzmaier said. “It will remain forever a part of our history.”
The ceremony continued with a presentation of flags to the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, the mayors of Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Oceanport, and the chair of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority.
Col. Kent Woods, former Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) chief of staff, stepped forward to present an award to Fitzmaier for his work on the garrison, where he was considered the caretaker of the fort .
“We wanted to honor Fitzmaier with the Sisyphus Award. In Greek mythology Sisyphus was the man who persisted in pushing the rock up the hill, and Fitzmaier was like Sisyphus throughout this,” Wood said.
As if on signal, the winds began to pick up and the halyard of the flagpole began a formal protest with a persistent clanging.
Maj. Gen. Randolph Strong, CECOM commanding manager, and members of the Fort Monmouth police circled the pole and slowly began to lower the flag.
Headswere turned upward to watch as the flag began its final descent.
As the flag was stretched out and the ceremonial folding of the flag began, announcer Mike Ruane explained the symbolism of each fold.
“The first fold is a symbol of life,” Ruane said as the first fold was made.
He continued through each fold until he reached the sixth.
“The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie,” said Ruane, who then began to read the Pledge ofAllegiance.
His voice broke as he read the first few lines and he paused before continuing.
Once the flag was completely folded, it was presented to Strong.
“It’s an honor to receive the final flag,” Strong said. “We are going to take it to Aberdeen [Aberdeen (Md.) Proving Ground] and it will be placed in our lobby to represent our memories.”
As the ceremony came to a close, those in attendance gathered in groups, reluctant to say goodbye. Stories of the past and the present could be overheard.
“My father was in the military and I came here as a military dependent. I worked on the base for 39 years in the logistics department,” said Julia Straughter, of Neptune. “I had always said that I would be here until the fort closed, but at the time it was joke. I never thought it would be true.”
Straughter retired four years ago when she first learned the fort would close. However, her grandson, who also worked at the fort, decided to change jobs.
“He worked here for three years. Instead ofmoving toAberdeen, he decided to become a local cop,” Straughter said.
Although Fort Monmouth is an Army base, its closing has an impact on other branches of the military.
“It’s a very sad day. They were our neighbor,” said Capt. David Harrison, commanding officer of Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck. “We had a good working relationship with the fort.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by officials of the neighboring towns that have worked with Fort Monmouth for so long.
“It is like burying a relative. The memories will always be there,” Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo said. “Yet we have to move forward, and I look forward to working with the other towns as we make the transition.”
Councilman Anthony Talerico Jr., Eatontown council president, remarked that local residents have been accustomed to hearing the bugle call at the end of each day .
“Think about how many times residents in the towns near the base have heard the bugler. It played every single day for the past 94 years,” Talerico said. “After today, those residents will no longer hear that.”