Ceremony held at VFW hall
By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
Veterans of Foreign War Thomas J. Kavanaugh Post 2290 members and Ladies Auxiliary held the solemn POW MIA ceremony Thursday night to remember military men and women who are being held prisoner or are still missing in action.
Past Commander Fred Gorbatuk began the ceremony by saying, "We must never forget the sacrifices that these comrades are still making and the suffering that they are enduring for us and our way of life. It must remain alive in our minds and in our hearts until we know that they have returned home."
Ladies Auxiliary member Cindy Dilks explained the items on the POW/MIA table. The empty chair and place setting symbolize those who are still missing, she said. Veterans placed red, white and blue carnations, along with a wreath, on the table.
A few of the guests present spoke, including Past Department President Deborah McLendon.
"We as Americans are determined to recover our missing patriots," she said. "It takes courageous Americans to answer the call to serve in our armed forces. No country can survive with such service. These Americans are willing to serve. The service they render essentially involves the willingness to make sacrifices, endure hardships and risk injury and death. Our work will be finished when our heroes are returned safely to the shores or full accounting is given to their loved ones."
Borough Council President Mark Gregor spoke on behalf of the mayor and council.
"It’s a time to remember and reflect on the cost of freedom," he said. "We must never forget the untold sacrifices made by courageous soldiers who went to war and were captured by the enemy to face unspeakable torture, were killed in battle or on missions and not found or recovered. The families of these soldiers suffer for years without knowing what happened to a loved one. We must continue to fight for the remains of our POW/MIAs to be returned to their families."
National Jr. Vice Commander in Chief Brian Duffy took part in the ceremony as did Jack Kane, commander of the VFW Department of New Jersey. Scouts and leaders from Boy Scout Troop 193, American Legion Post members, Tin Can sailors, Borough Council members Sue Asher, Richard Onderko, Ed Komoroski, Steve Szabo and Ron Skirkanish also attended.

