S.B. honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

SCOTT FRIEDMAN Andrew Rullo (r), 17, and Sean Pande, 15, of Boy Scout Troop 10, were honored with raising the flag at the Memorial Day ceremony in South Brunswick on Monday.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - "Today is Memorial Day. The saddest day of the year."

So said Al Kady, commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post during the Memorial Day ceremony held at the American Legion hall Monday. Veterans and their friends and family came to the building on Major Road to pay respects to fallen soldiers.

The event started in the late morning amid thick, humid weather with an invocation by the Rev. John Multby, which was followed by the South Brunswick High School marching band playing "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Then, members of Boy Scout Troop 10 solemnly lowered the flag from its pole on the building's front lawn before raising it again as the band launched into the national anthem.

South Brunswick resident Buddy Thomas was recognized for his volunteer efforts in service of wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. A thin, reedy man in a red baseball cap and sunglasses, the Vietnam veteran has been buying model car kits and knitting supplies for wounded veterans since the first Iraq war, where his son had been shot. Thomas said that when visiting his son in the hospital, he felt a great deal of sympathy for the injured, noting that many had nothing to keep themselves occupied as they healed.

"Some of these kids, 17, 18 years old, had nothing. They just were lying there in the bed, and that's what started me getting them the kits, and we've been doing it since then," said Thomas, who said that he had only recently found out about the plans to recognize him for his efforts. He called the award "astonishing."

After Thomas was given his award, Mayor Frank Gambatese, himself a veteran of the Korean War, spoke of the state's commitment to its veteran community, noting that New Jersey has the largest veterans cemetery in the country, reflecting the patriotism and commitment of the state's residents. He noted the historic precedent for this, saying that Lincoln had once stopped in New Jersey to implore the state Legislature to provide troops for the then-ongoing Civil War.

"He knew New Jersey was so patriotic, giving its sons and daughters without question. ... I think it kind of says something about what New Jersey is all about," said Gambatese. He closed his speech with a reading of the poem "Freedom Isn't Free," a favorite of his.

Retiring president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion post, Mabel Davenport, then spoke on the significance of the flag and the proper number of times to fold it (which is 12). Each fold represents something different: The first fold symbolizes life; the second, a belief in eternal life; the third, veterans who gave their lives; the fourth, people's weaker natures; the fifth, a tribute to the country; the sixth, our hearts; the seventh, to the armed forces; the eighth, for our mothers; the ninth, to womanhood; the 10th, to fathers; the 11th glorifies "the God of Abraham, Isaac and David"; and the 12th "glorifies in their eyes God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost."

Finally, Kady spoke to remind people about the true meaning of Memorial Day and urged people to not forget the sacrifices made by soldiers throughout U.S. history.

"They have given their all, the supreme sacrifice, so that we may enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," said Kady.

Afterward, a wreath was placed at a stone near the flagpole, followed by a nine-gun salute and taps played on the bugle by a member of the marching band. After a benediction by Multby, the ceremony closed with "God Bless America."

Attendees felt the ceremony was a proper tribute to soldiers who had died in conflicts.

"I thought it was very touching, and it's always nice to take time out to remember our veterans who died in service of our country, and all veterans," said Chuck Carey, of North Brunswick, who had been stationed in Germany from 1957 to 1958.