FREEHOLD – A pavilion at a Freehold Borough park will be named in honor of a family that sent six sons to fight in World War II.
The Borough Council has authorized the pavilion at Veterans Park to be named the Lewis Brothers’ Pavilion in recognition of Alexander Lewis, Lester Lewis, Augustus “Guggy” Lewis, Donald Lewis, Payton Lewis and Bigerton “Buddy” Lewis Jr.
According to a resolution, the brothers were the sons of Bigerton and Sadie Lewis, who are recognized as pillars of Freehold Borough’s African-American community and for their leadership roles in the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bigerton and Sadie raised six sons and two daughters.
All six of the couple’s sons served in the United States armed forces during World War II. Alexander served in the Navy, Guggy served in the Marine Corps, Donald served in the Army Air Corps, and Payton, Lester and Buddy served in the Army.
The council’s resolution states that no family in Freehold Borough sent as many sons to World War II as the Lewis family. During the war, Sadie Lewis reportedly wrote letters to each of her sons every day.
The only surviving brother is Buddy, the youngest of the six sons.
According to Kevin Coyne, the borough’s historian, Guggy died in 1975 at the age of 64, Payton died in 1982 at the age of 59, Donald died in 1987 at the age of 67, and Lester died in 1992 at the age of 83. The date of death of the oldest Lewis son, Alexander, is not known.
Guggy Lewis was the father of Dan Lewis, who was the first Freehold Borough resident to play in the National Football League. Dan Lewis played in the NFL as a running back for nine seasons and spent most of his career with the Detroit Lions. He died in 2015 at the age of 79.
Of the honor being bestowed upon the Lewis brothers, Mayor Nolan Higgins said, “We are very pleased and honored to recognize the service of the Lewis family, not only those who served in the military, but the family who supported these six brothers during World War II. This is a great testament to all who sacrificed and served.”
Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer said, “I have casually known Buddy Lewis for years, but it was not until I spoke with Kevin Coyne that I heard the story about all six brothers serving our country in World War II. Mayor Higgins and I took Kevin’s idea of naming the pavilion in Veterans Park after the brothers and ran with it. It was one of the most-deserved and heartwarming decisions we have ever made.”