They did it for home even if that meant never getting to go back there.
By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — They did it for home even if that meant never getting to go back there.
West Windsor Township honored those veterans who made it home and those who made the ultimate sacrifice during a Veterans Day ceremony at the All Wars Memorial on the grounds of the municipal building.
Korean War veteran Jim Timmerman of West Windsor attended the ceremony to pay homage to those who are still trying to get home.
”I’m OK,” Mr. Timmerman said. “I came out very well. I’m concerned about the veterans we have in veterans hospitals and those waiting to get in.”
American Legion Post 76 Commander Bob Cox, airman second class in the Vietnam War, asked those in attendance to remember the veterans who are in desperate need of medical attention, stating that some have waited years for surgery and other procedures.
While older veterans reflected on the veterans of today, Col. Jayson Sawyer of West Windsor, who served in the Army for 31 years prior to retiring, said he attended the ceremony “to be surrounded by those who served in many times of peril and to be honored by their presence.”
He said it was a privilege to be there alongside of Henry Frank, 95, an Army veteran who participated in the Normandy invasion and who made it home.
Township volunteers and employees in the service were also recognized including Major Karl C. Wethe, a member of the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 in the U.S. Marine Corps; Sgt. Vincent Vella, a member of the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 in the U.S. Army National Guard; Tim Lynch, a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and Emergency Services Specialist; and Army Sgt. Major Thomas Polino, the West Windsor plumbing sub code official.
Commander Cox thanked the mayor and council for all they’ve done over the years for veterans, and especially for the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said it is important for the community to come together in special unity to honor those who have served and continue to serve “this great country we call home.”
”We are grateful for the courage and patriotism … of those who served our country and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice — those who gave their lives for all of us — and their families,” Mayor Hsueh said.
Prior to the main ceremony at the municipal building, a ceremony took place at the Dutch Neck World War II Monument in remembrance of those residents of West Windsor who fought in World War II.
The main ceremony started at noon and included a presentation of colors by the West Windsor Police Department Honor Guard Unit. The unit is made up of Sgt. Robert Fow (Army veteran), Det. Sgt. Matt Kemp (Army veteran), Det. Steven Skierawski (Marine veteran), Patrolman Douglas Montgomery (Marine veteran) and Patrolman William Jones (Navy veteran).
Those in attendance sang songs of the services led by June Fiske, heard remarks from the mayor, listened to the origins of Veterans Day presented by Township Council President George Borek and Vice President Kristina Samonte, and sang “God Bless America” before veterans partnered with township officials to lay a wreath at the monument.
Gay M. Huber and Rae C. Roeder coordinated the ceremony, which was conducted by the American Legion Post 76, the Veterans of Foreign Wars 925 and Mayor Hsueh.”As we go our separate ways,” the mayor said, “let our last thought be of thanking and appreciating every day, not just today, those who chose the great path of serving our country.”