MATAWAN – Veterans who reside at Atrium Senior Living in Matawan have been recognized for their service in the United States armed forces.
On Nov. 11, Matawan Police Lt. Christopher Stark helped to distribute personalized certificates and special pins to 19 veterans who were recognized during a ceremony. The honored guests were joined by their fellow residents.
The honorees were Joseph Bloom, James Davis, William Doremus, Edward Jamnetski, Reinke Janssen, Marco Lupo, Fernando Melero, Melvin Meyer, Raul Montano, John Stapleton, John Gibbons, Anthony DeFillippis, Thomas Lanieri, Martin Sheridan, Don Ostler, Sal Matto, Sam Mevorah, Robert DiGiovanni and Meyer Barash.
Photographs were taken with each honoree as attendees applauded the heroic actions of their neighbors.
Jen Prazeres, activities director at Atrium Senior Living, said this was her first year coordinating the ceremony. She said the day of recognition is important because “it makes (the veterans) reminisce and remembers another time in their lives. I feel like (the ceremony) is important because being in an (assisted living facility), (the memories) tend to be forgotten.”
After receiving his framed certificate, Sheridan said, “Everyone is always thanking me, but I am the one who should be thanking the Army for making me the man I am.”
Matto recently passed away and his wife accepted his certificate. She was embraced by friends who comforted her as she admired her late husband’s award.
Speaking about his military experience, Ostler said he joined the Army in 1955 at the age of 17. Ostler said he wanted to earn money and buy his parents a house.
Scott said police officers should also be recognized on Veterans Day. He said police officers “also have a hard job to do and they are in the same category (as veterans). (Police officers) are patriotic because they care about people.”
The ceremony concluded with a sing-a-long of patriotic songs. Residents, their family members and staff members sang “God Bless America,” “Yankee” Doodle” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”