Scholarship fund-raiser is set for Saturday
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
BORDENTOWN CITY — There is a town in New Jersey that remembers one of its own.
A family — ranging from a young soldier’s parents to the members of his local Bordentown City firehouse, the Hope Hose-Humane Company No. 1 — has not forgotten Benjamin Moore.
In fact, the community that lost a cherished son in Afghanistan last year has organized a concert at Bordentown Elks Lodge 2085, 11 Amboy Road, in Bordentown Township, from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. It will benefit a scholarship fund set up in his name.
"It’s to keep his memory alive through the community,” said Spc. Moore’s mother, Amy Moore, of Hamilton, on Jan. 9.
Ben, as his family and friends called him, graduated from Bordentown Regional High School in 2006.
He was killed in action Jan. 12, 2011, in the Ghazni Province of eastern Afghanistan. He was 23.
An explosive device struck the Army vehicle Spc. Moore was riding in, killing him and two of his comrades. Two other soldiers survived the blast.
After his passing, Ms. Moore, along with her husband, Patrick, set up the Benjamin Moore Memorial Trust Fund with the Hope Hose-Humane Company No. 1, of which their son was a longtime member.
A passion to serve
"I remember a number of times going out on different fire calls, and he’d be on the corner watching,” said President Vince Torpey Jr., of the Hope Hose-Humane Company No. 1, on Tuesday.
While he could only watch as a youngster, when Spc. Moore turned 16, he attended firefighting school three days a week for four months at the Burlington County Emergency Training Center. He wanted to serve.
When the training was complete, Spc. Moore then joined Hope Hose-Humane. He was no longer a youthful spectator watching from the sidelines — rather, he was a junior member on the team.
"You always have individuals that are eager to get involved in the community or different aspects of volunteering,” Mr. Torpey explained. “There’s a different breed of people who volunteer . . . Ben always seemed to have that want; he always wanted to be involved.”
Mr. Torpey recalled Spc. Moore displayed leadership qualities upon joining the fire company as a teenager.
"He was so willing to give,” he said, “and help the other guys.”
Spc. Moore went on to become a lieutenant with the company.
"Ben joined (the Army) because of 9/11,” Ms. Moore said. “That was a big turning point in his life. He was 13 years old. After that, he felt the need to serve.”
Mr. Torpey concurred.
"He decided to take it one step further because of 9/11,” he said. “That really was the motivation for getting involved.”
The Hope Hose-Humane president described Spc. Moore’s transition to military serviceman from Bordentown City volunteer firefighter and emergency management technician as one of country service springing first from a local point of view to serve the community.
In addition to Hope Hose-Humane, Spc. Moore was a volunteer firefighter for Decou Hose Company in Hamilton, Westampton Township Emergency Services in Westampton and Union Fire Company in Crosswicks, his mother said.
Upon turning 18, Spc. Moore became an EMT, Ms. Moore recalled. He drove as an emergency responder in that capacity with Hope Hose-Humane Company No. 1 and Capital Health in Trenton.
"After serving with the fire company and (as an) EMT, he wanted to broaden and serve more,” Ms. Moore said.
That’s when Spc. Moore decided to join the Army.
"He was a giving person,” his mother said.
Moore Memorial Trust Fund
In 2011, the Army Spc. Benjamin G. Moore-Hope Hose-Humane Co. No. 1 Memorial Trust Fund was formed.
It is the nonprofit organization that oversees the Benjamin Moore Memorial Trust Fund scholarships awarded to firefighters, EMTs and students who display a passion for service and volunteerism.
The trust has given out awards to several students attending the Burlington County Emergency Training Center, including “most improved” firefighters Declan Dwyer, of Burlington, and Robert Zmirich, of Mount Laurel.
The Benjamin Moore Memorial Trust Fund also awarded Jennifer Bower, of Burlington, last spring for being the “most improved” EMT of her class.
Scholarships are awarded to students attending Bordentown Regional High School with an interest in firefighting; EMT services; police work; or military commitment. Prospective students are judged after writing an essay submitted to the memorial trust fund.
Last year, scholarships were awarded from the Benjamin Moore Memorial Trust Fund to two students attending Spc. Moore’s alma mater high school, Sharday Kelly-Dunn, who is now serving in the Navy, and Anthony Covington.
The scholarship awards are for $500 each.
In February, Richard Mercantini, of Bordentown City, received an award from the Benjamin Moore Memorial Trust Fund for completing the most volunteerism emergency management service duty crews with Hope Hose-Humane Fire Company No. 1.
Mr. Torpey said that this year the trust would expand the award to honor a firefighter within Hope Hose-Humane.
Community supports fund
And now it is his family — Spc. Moore’s loved ones — who are dedicating a night of music, laughter and good memories to the spirit of his legacy.
Saturday’s event at the Bordentown Elks will mark the second annual Spc. Benjamin G. Moore education scholarship fund-raiser.
Last year’s event, which took place in Hamilton, raised $4,000, Ms. Moore said, noting approximately 300 people were in attendance.
This year, the classic rock band Soul Fire, of Hamilton, is scheduled to perform.
Organizers are asking for a $5 donation per person to attend the event, which will feature door prizes, food and 50-50 raffles.
The money raised from the scholarship fund-raiser will continue to be awarded to graduating firefighters and EMTs of Burlington County Emergency Training Center and members of Hope Hose-Humane as well as students of Bordentown Regional High School.
Ms. Moore told the Register-News that the Bordentown Elks had donated the hall space. There is normally a fee to reserve space for events at the facility.
"For them to step up and give us the venue at no charge to help to support our cause is wonderful,” Mr. Torpey said.
Of Spc. Moore, Mr. Torpey said, “The kid was like a son to me.”
Mr. Torpey said, “The purpose of (the scholarship fund) basically is to try to carry on Ben’s philosophy of involvement; his personal thinking that even at a young age, it’s good to be involved, and it’s good to give back.”
He said, “We hope that anybody that knows about it comes out. We’re looking for everybody to have a good time. We hope to raise some good money to carry on the awards.”
”We think the turn out will be good,” Ms. Moore said, adding that at least 300 people are anticipated.
Ms. Moore said she believes many area veterans will attend.
When asked what her son would think of the upcoming second annual fund-raiser, she said, “I think he thinks that it’s a good thing, that we’re keeping his name out there and his memory.”
Spc. Moore, an Army specialist with the 693rd Sapper Company, out of Fort Drum, New York, was born Oct. 2, 1987. His older brother’s name is Patrick.
To donate to the Army Spc. Benjamin G. Moore – Hope Hose-Humane Company No. 1 Memorial Trust Fund, send a check, made payable to the Benjamin Moore Memorial Trust Fund, to 264 Edgebrook Road, Robbinsville, New Jersey, 08691.
For information on the upcoming event, call 609-203-2695 or send an e-mail to [email protected].
To learn about becoming a volunteer with Hope Hose-Humane Company No. 1, call 609-298-0450.