The 4th Annual Frank Thomas Memorial Fluke Tournament will be held at Baker’s Marina on the Bay, 1 Marina Bay Court Highlands, Saturday, June 15, from 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Registration is $150 per boat for the event, sponsored by the Highlands Business Association Partnership, and each boat is limited to seven anglers.
The Kayak or Land Angler fee is $50, and $300 for Charter boats or boats with more than seven people. Fee includes a complimentary swag, Post Weigh in, BBQ Cook-Out, and one complimentary drink.
The Frank Thomas Memorial Fluke Tournament is in honor of Frank “Ozzie” Thomas, life-long resident, and generous supporter of the Highlands business community. Proceeds will benefit the Highlands Business Partnership 2025 Frank Thomas Memorial Scholarship in the Trades Program.
The Captain’s Meeting will take place Friday, June 14 at 6:00 PM at the Driftwood Liquor & Bar, 300 Bay Ave.
Prizes will be awarded, along with special youth prizes. Tickets can be purchased online at highlandsnj.com or at the Captain’s Meeting.
The Highlands Business Partnership is a non-profit commercial alliance dedicated to fostering economic growth in Highlands. Sponsors of the programs include Monmouth County Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Farmacie, Feed & Seed, Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Hufnagel Tree Experts, In the Garden, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Sandbox at Seastreak, Valley Bank and WRAT, 95.9.
Terming the Trump verdict outrageous and disgraceful, something that parallels what happens in countries like Nicaragua, Congressman Chris Smith said he feels confident the verdict will be overturned on an appeal.
The Congressman issued a brief statement shortly after a New York judge found Presidential candidate Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts in a trial that many feel was filled with flaws and illegalities.
Smith said “Today this wrongful conviction of President Trump, prosecuted by an absolutely biased Democrat district attorney and presided over by an equally politicized judge, tells all Americans and the world that justice in America can, and today has been, exploited in an attempt to destroy a political opponent…” The Congressman noted its similarities to Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega jailing all his presidential opponents on bogus charges and wondered whether President Biden or his Justice Department were complicit in any way in “this political witch hunt.”
Smith said while he feels confident Trump would win on an appeal, it would not occur before the November election, charging “that is precisely what the architects of this 11th hour abuse of power are hoping for.”
Celebrating Father’s Day a week early and changing the location from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Hall in Highlands to St. Agnes Church hall in Atlantic Highlands, the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus is promising a breakfast Sunday, June 9, that is guaranteed to bring out families and hungry individuals to enjoy the bountiful generosity of the Knights of Columbus.
Council Grand Knight Mike Napolitano confirmed that the Father’s Day Breakfast celebration will offer old favorites consisting of pancakes and sausage but will also offer “Dad” favorites including waffles and fried chicken, and sausage gravy. There will also be cheese and fresh fruit assortments, yogurt and granola and dried fruit for toppings, along with doughnuts, cornbread and coffee cake.
“We love our monthly breakfasts for how they bring families and friends together,” Napolitano said. “We’re happy to be able to offer these monthly breakfasts at no admission fee, but we always accept donations so we can continue to offer it.” The Grand Knight added that people are very generous and that enables the breakfasts to be the success they are.
The Buffet breakfast at St. Agnes also includes a choice of juice, coffee and tea, along with bottled water, and all the condiments that are the icing on the cake of great entrees.
The general public is always invited to attend and enjoy breakfast, Napolitano continued, with the buffet served from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
For further information, or for men to learn reasons why they would enjoy becoming members of the Knights of Columbus, call Napolitano at 862-368-0801.
The Knights meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Knights room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School.
Father’s Day Father’s Day Father’s Day Father’s Day Father’s Day Father’s Day
His great grandfather served in the 28th Infantry Division, US Army during World War II. His grandparents lived during the Korean War. His parents remember the Iraq War and certainly September 11, 2001, when the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda carried out those suicide attacks in New York, Washington, DC, and the crash in Shanksville, Pa. that prevented even more death and destruction from an enemy. Cadet Lieutenant Commander Cadet Lieutenant Commander
Tommy Clark can cite historic accounts of all those times. To him, they are all history indeed.
)Lt.Cdr. Thomas Clark, and the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help St Agnes Parish, who gave the invocation and benediction at the World War II Memorial park, Atlantic Highlands, on Memorial Day. Lt.Cdr. Clark gave a talk on how important it is for students to learn the history has has created the nation before they were born, up to and including 9/11
Clark, more properly recognized as Cadet Lieutenant Commander Thomas Clark, told a captive audience that story at the Memorial Service at Veterans Park across from Atlantic Highlands Borough Hall Monday.
The ceremony was presented by the American Legion, Post 141, and its commander, Peter Doyle, had asked Clark, the Battalion Commander for MAST NJROTC, to say a few words at a ceremony marked with reverence and appreciation for local military from all wars.
“Education is the most critical part of remembrance,” Clark told the crowd. Since he was not yet born on Sept 11, 2001, the cadet said a history class trip to the 9/11 memorial and museum in New York “was an eye opening experience.”
“I did not live through that day,” the cadet said, “however, the museum educated me in a way I will never forget.”
He reminded the crowd they were all gathered there “in solemn remembrance of the heroes who gave their lives so we may be free…..men and women who gave up friends, families and dreams to answer the call to serve.” That was then, he reminded a solemn and quiet crowd, but now, he continued, “with all we have going on in our country today, remembering and celebrating the lives and sacrifices of our nation’s past is more crucial than ever.”
Cadet Lieutenant Commander Thomas Clark
But it should not end there, he reminded his listeners telling them it should not stop at “placing flags on one’s lawn.” Adults have to also think, he continued, “kids younger than myself are constantly being inundated with information about the world. It becomes difficult to know what to believe in.”
For himself, it isn’t difficult, because “I say that the younger generation should believe in that flag and all that it stands for, and all who have given their lives to ensure it stays, flying proudly across the nation.”
The audience nodded assent, and applauded.
But this MAST honor student, class treasurer and former legislative intern for Senator Vin Gopal did not stop there. He gave his spellbound audience his own beliefs. “The best way to pass along information is through stories, sharing history and preserving knowledge in doing so,” he explained, adding had his parents and grandparents not passed along the stories, he would not have even known the heroics of his own great grandfather.
“The most valuable gift you can give someone else is time,” he reminded the Memorial Day gathering, pleading, “if you have a story to share, please share it. Not only that, but just to be sure he addressed everyone, Clark added, “If you are privileged enough to hear a story, please listen.”
Memorial Day may be one day in the year, Clark continued, but “we must live it every day, From their sacrifice we must remember that freedom is not free. For people my age, it is more important than ever to recognize the heroism of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Let us not be overcome with sadness in their remembrance, but rather honor their sacrifice by living each day the best we can.”
A resident of Little Silver, and the son of Joseph Clark and Megan Kelly, Cadet Lieutenant Commander Clark graduated from Markham Place Middle School before going to MAST. He was named Color Guard Commander in April of last year for the top NJROTC Color Guard unit in Area Four which spans states from Maine to Maryland, as well as Spain and Italy.
He serves as a fire cadet on the Little Silver Fire Department Station 23-1 and participates in mock drills to ensure readiness in responding to real-life emergencies as well as training and responding with police and firefighters to aid in running hoses, hydrant s and assisting where requested. As an intern under Senator Gopal, he worked on projects pertaining to pertinent bills in a team environment to accomplish specific common goals, and providing public outreach through aid with the Senator’s constituent services.
At MAST, Clark was Cadet of the Quarter in 2021-2022 and has a 4.0 GPA. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Drill Team, Orienteering Team, Academics, Team, Key Club, with more than 150 service hours, and Joint Leadership Academics Bowl. He also completed the NJROTC Area Four Leadership Academy on board Naval Station Newport, RI last July.
Describing himself as a highly motivated individual who hopes to become a US Naval officer, Cadet Clark’s goal is to attend the Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduate with a degree in engineering and pursue higher education towards a masters and doctorate degrees while serving his country and keeping its history and heroes known and respected.
At a special meeting not advertised on any of the three boards of education websites, but which one board attorney said was legally advertised in all the correct places, members of the three local boards of education unanimously approved a resolution approving an agreement with Shore Regional High School and Oceanport schools but failing to let the public know the terms of the agreement.
Henry Hudson Regional Board President Ms. Claire KozicAtlantic Highlands Elementary School Board President Karin MasinaHighlands Board of Education President Rebecca Kane-Wells
Following the routine agenda of meeting opening procedures and a public comment period in which, in response to questions a board administrator said the meeting was advertised in Saturday’s Asbury Park Press and Star Ledger, the board went into executive session, excusing the four residents present for the meeting from the room.
Henry Hudson Board attorney Jonathan Busch responded during the public portion that state law on legal advertising indicates that a board only has to notify a newspaper, but there is no obligation for publication of that notice . However, the administrator confirmed the meeting was advertised in the newspapers three days previous. It was not posted on any of the three board of education website pages nor on any of the school pages.
Board members present at the opening of the executive session, in addition to Highlands board member Rebecca Kane-Wells, who came in after the executive session began, remained in the executive session for an hour and 20 minutes, before opening the public portion and passing the resolution based on, the resolution reads, “in accordance with the options discussed in closed session with legal counsel….”
Board members would not discuss what the options were after Busch read the resolution publicly and the meeting was adjourned minutes later.
The resolution approved without the options discussed which the residents are not permitted to know until after the resolution is made part of the official minutes of the meeting and approved at the next board meetings, is attached Below.
The resolution, which was made available to a resident’s request by the administrator, gives the history of the legal battle being waged by Shore Regional and Oceanport , both of whom object to Sea Bright leaving their district and joining the Henry Hudson Regional District.
Currently, Sea Bright, which does not have a board of education, sends its fewer than 55 students to those two districts and requested to join Highlands and Atlantic Highlands as a tri-town regional board, indicating their inclusion would mean an additional $2 million to offset school taxes for taxpayers, without adding additional costs to the district.
Because of the litigation, voters in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands approved a regional school that eliminates the three boards of education currently running the three schools in the two towns, with the understanding Sea Bright could be included by another vote “as soon as possible.”
The three boards will have their final meetings in June, and are no longer in existence as of July 1, in accordance with the new regionalization plan. A transitional board selected by themselves from members of the three boards, is the official board of education until 2025. A new nine member Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education will be elected in November and assume office Jan. 1, 2025.
Unless residents of our town, our county, our State, or these United States don’t start paying attention, learning more and taking action, it’s a foregone conclusion that they will never know what’s coming in their schools, their towns, their county, their state, or the United States of America. Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights
It has to start at the local level and every citizen should be concerned.
The people’s Right to Know has been chipped away at for years, but it is now at the point that giant chunks are being removed right before their eyes. And not enough people are doing anything about it. Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights
Right now, at the national level, we have a United State Senator, Menendez, undergoing court proceedings on bribery charges. We’re learning that he had a whole stash of private e-mails, letters, photos and other communications with officials in Egypt and Quatar that he didn’t want anyone to know about. A senior Senator heading an all-important Senate Committee charged with bribery and lots of private, not-open-to-the-public correspondence between him and the folks named in the bribery charges are just coming up now.
Another state-wide disaster is the recent action taken by a majority of the New Jersey state Legislature. Their approval of the NO-OPRA bill is designed, they say, to save paid government employees time but is more accurately described as making it closer to impossible for taxpayers to know what’s going on with their communities, their tax dollars, and the people who make the decisions. Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights
Currently, Governor Murphy is straddling that line right down the middle, fearful of signing or not signing the approved legislation, because of the politicians it impacts, himself included. Curtailing OPRA, the people’s right to know, opens the door for more secrecy.
In addition to that, the Governor is also moving aggressively to promote those offshore wind farms which appear to be dangerous and expensive for taxpayers, rather than allowing enough time for studies and answers before money is spent and the environment and state destroyed.
At the Monmouth County level, the Monmouth County Board of Education, and the National Park Service, are letting one of the historic buildings continue to deteriorate and spending lots of dollars for some unknown reason rather than making improvements.
But officials don’t have anything to say about it.
The Park Service wants to help fund the Stillman Corporation who have the option to rehabilitate 21 buildings on Fort Hancock rather than tell him they’ve had years and haven’t done anything yet. Let the guys who have already been successful out there with their own money take charge. Very little of those negotiations, either with private industry or public boards, is done openly.
Several municipalities and school boards laugh in the faces of their taxpayers by simply never offering their meetings virtually in the 21st century, something everyone learned to do during the Covid fiasco that closed churches and businesses.
Highlands Mayor Carolyn BroullonHenry Hudson Regional High School Superintendent Tara Beams
Henry Hudson Regional High School has already gotten a reputation for working hard to be sure even those who attend meetings can’t hear. They can’t afford more microphones, they said at one meeting. They hold their meetings in a cavernous room where mumbled words bounce around in space; the public is seated far more distant from the board than necessary, some Board members with their sides to the public so even a lip reader can’t catch what’s going on.
Board President Mr. Cory Wingerter
When Highlands held an important and well attended informational meeting to hear what the folks had to say about the possibility of flood gating the town to avoid flooding, even the clerk couldn’t catch the names of the public who spoke, let alone let everyone in the room hear the experts. That’s because the meeting, in order to accommodate the number of residents the governing body expected to attend, was held at Henry Hudson, the same place where board meetings can never be heard. The Highlands school on Route 36 or the vacant parochial school on Highland Avenue would have been better choices.
And now, the ultimate. The members of the three boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, the very same three boards that are not going to exist 30 days from now, adopted a resolution whose terms they decided in private and which they have no intention of sharing with the taxpayers until the deed is done, the papers signed, and the public is stuck with whatever the secret is.
Are we that stupid we cannot handle the truth? Are we that incapable that our future is put in the hands of people who don’t want us to know what they’re doing with our time, our money, our resources? Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights
Indeed we are, if we don’t wake up and do something about it.
It was October 16, 1859 when Connecticut native John Brown, saying his purpose on earth was to free all slaves in the South, led his own sons, a group of five other men and a small handful of slaves to the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, at the time, a part of Virginia, but since the 1860s, West Virginia.
His purpose was to take over the arsenal, capture all the weapons and ammunition and proceed to lead slaves in a revolt against the families who owned them. Two of Brown’s own sons were killed as well as a freed slave in his insurrection.
But also killed in defense of the federal arsenal was a US Marine, a 20 year old Irish kid named Luke Quinn.
Quinn was a private in the Corps, having enlisted in the Marines in Brooklyn, going on to the Marine Barracks in Washington, DC, then serving on the frigate USS St. Lawrence and the USS Perry, taking him on expeditions to Brazil and Paraguay. Back in the United States, he was dispatched with a Marine company led by then Lt. Colonel Robert E. Lee, with Lt. J.E.B.Stuart in charge of his unit.
Brown and his army had barricaded themselves in the engine room building in Harpers Ferry on the army site. When he refused to surrender to Lee, the Army General ordered the attack. Quinn was one of the first 100 Marines to enter after barricading the doors with hammers ladders and other tools.
He was shot, wounded, and lying in pain, knowing he was near death. He called out for a priest. He had five weeks until the end of his enlistment.
The Rev. Michael Costello was pastor of St. Peter’s Church at that time, the same Church which later would serve as a hospital for so many wounded from both sides during the Civil War. Still in active use, it is also the only church that survived the Harper’s Ferry insurrection and subsequent Civil War.
St. Peter’s Church
Fr. Costello wrote a letter months after the event to tell the story of Pvt. Quinn when he was called to give him Last Rites. There were two Marines wounded, he wrote, and both were catholic. He attended to them both and said Quinn died that day and was buried with full military honors in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
In testimony during the court hearing before Brown was hung for murder and treason, it was said that Brown himself had shot Pvt. Luke Quinn as he fought to preserve the federal arsenal. The Irishman was 24 years old and had been in America 15 years.
Quinn’s grave at the cemetery remained unmarked for another 68 years until a couple of local residents took efforts to locate the grave and provide a proper marker. They found remains that assured them it was the Marine’s remains and a Holy Name Society erected a monument on the site.
In 2012, a Marine Corps League detachment rededicated the gravesite and erected a flag pole and a new marker.
Yet, with all the history, and with a near life size statue of Pvt. Quinn in the Lower section of Harpers Ferry near the steps leading to the town’s upper section, it was difficult to find someone who knew where the cemetery was, let alone Pvt. Quinn’s grave.
It was raining two weeks ago when I went into the Harpers Ferry Police Headquarters after not being able to find anyone who could tell me where the cemetery was. That’s where I met Varlissa a tireless employee at the police department who manned the front office by herself and was busy in her Washington Street Borough Hall and Police Department office.
Not too busy to take the time to help a visitor, however. Varlissa, who had also been a National Parks employee for ten years before working for the town, gave me reams of history about the town, Jefferson Rock, John Brown and so many other fascinating facts about the town before explaining where the cemetery was. Not satisfied with merely giving me directions, and knowing I was on foot, Larissa printed them out to make it easy to follow turn by turn. It was a little more than a mile distant on the side of the highway and actually in Bolivar.
The walk was up and down the hills that are so much a part of Harpers Ferry and neighboring Bolivar, and the cemetery was just the other side of the Quality Inn on the highway. The greying stones and the broken markers, in spite of the well kept and manicured lawns of the cemetery, were proof the earliest graves at the still active graveyard were near the top of the property. A tall flag post with the American flag flying was the first indication that that was where Pvt. Quinn’s grave was located.
After reading the inscriptions and paying respects at the grave, I returned to town to see both Varlissa and Sgt, Mike of the local police department waiting to assure I found my way and arrived back in town. The police officer also filled me in on more history of the town both employees love, respect, and work for, thanked me for my interest in its history and stayed to answer my many questions on more history of Harper’s Ferry.
They were happy I was a tourists to their town, and I couldn’t be happier that I met a couple of employees who knew so much of its history.
Want to read more stories f my solo travels … usually by train? Click HERE
The annual Blessing of the Fleet sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club will be held at the Municipal Yacht Harbor Saturday, June 1, with festivities, the blessing, ship parade and historic significance beginning just before noon.
Rear Commodore John Flatley heads up the committee organizing and planning this event in which every boater is invited to participate.
The historic traditional Blessing follows a series of annual rituals, with the municipal dock and the Clubhouse flagpole dressed with code flags and appropriate officers’ flags flown.
Guests are expected to arrive shortly after 11:30 a.m. where they will be greeted by Commodore, Joseph Patsco and other Yacht Club bridge officers. All the club’s flag officers and past commodores will also assemble by the Pier 4 bulkhead in summer uniform complete with rank epaulets, or Club Blazers and identifying club patch.
The Reviewing Party for the boat Parade will be at the head of Pier 4 for their own procession to the pier at the Club’s dock. A color guard will lead the Assembly, which includes the clergyman who will give the blessing, along with Naval and Coast Guard Commanders, flag officers, and past commodores.
The Yacht Club’s launches will be blessed by the minister, then one of them, the Water Witch, will bring the group to the east end of the harbor’s breakwater for a memorial blessing honoring deceased members of the Yacht Club. That memorial service also includes laying a wreath in their honor on the water, with a cannon salute fired to sea. The Henry S will also be available for special launch service from an inner floating dock between piers 4 and 5.
The “Water Witch” will be in position to guide the vessels in the parade as they approach for their individual Blessing. This is a solemn event in which all are asking God’s blessing for a safe return from voyages at sea.
The traditional rituals include a cannon barrage after all those in the parade have received their blessing and the conclusion of the formal ceremony. A reception at the Yacht Club follows the historic ceremony and all are invited to attend for light refreshments and the presentation of awards for the Best Dressed Ship and the Best Dressed Crew.
Private yachts should refrain from dipping the Flag or Ensign in salute. The Yacht Club will not return flag dipping salutes, since it is the custom reserved for US Naval vessels initiating or returning the salute of a Royal Navy Vessel. Code flags may be flown by participating vessels from water line to water line in accordance with the order given in Chapman’s Piloting. All AHYC yachts should fly the YC Burgees.
The public not participating in the Boat Parade is invited to observe the festivities and rituals from any place in the harbor in the vicinity of the annual ceremony.
Captain Dan and First Mate Vicky officially opened the newest boat in the Classic Boat Rides family Sunday when Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner cut the ribbon at the boat’s dock at the Municipal Yacht Harbor.
Noting it is her first ribbon cutting as mayor, and expressing her happiness at being able to cut the ribbon for such good friends, Hohenleitner praised the contributions Capt. Dan and First Mate Vicky and the rest of their crew have already brought to the area with the Navesink Queen, the 100 passenger sternwheeler that offers trips for large groups, private parties and events and business organizations.
Navesink Queen
The newest boat, the Mariner, which is docked adjacent to the head boats and Sissy’s Restaurant, can accommodate groups of up to 60 passengers and can be chartered for private use for birthdays, weddings, dinners, anniversary celebrations, office parties as well as sightseeing and lighthouse tours. The Mariner has already been chartered by families for burials at sea and was a popular attraction in the Shrewsbury River during the recent Jersey Speed Skiff races in Highlands.
Mariner
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Mariner remained open throughout the afternoon for visitors to tour the facilities and sit on the upper deck enjoying the music of Carl Gentry, soloist, guitarist, leader of the Carl Gentry and Band and keyboardist and background singer in Bon Jovi’s acoustic group. He is also a member of Holiday Express but on his own thoroughly mesmerized the visitors, stopping by to congratulate Capt. Dan and tour the boat’s two levels.
The Mariner includes a full bar for adult and children’s beverages and invites those who charter to have their favorite restaurant cater dinners aboard the boat .
The Mariner enables even small groups to book a charter with an option of using either the lower deck or both decks of the craft. Most Thursday evenings, the crew also offers sunset cruises, For further information on dates, times and availability contact Classic Boat Rides at 732-337-9292.
A boater since he was four years old, Capt. Dan is a Bayshore native and a former production director for WRAT as well as a radio DJ. This marks their 20th anniversary in the boating industry with Classic Boat Rides
For more information on the Mariner, the Navesink Queen, or private charters on either boat, both located in the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor, visit classicboatrides.com
As we enjoy the beach, barbecue’s, and family get togethers this Memorial Day weekend, please take a moment to reflect on the meaning of this poignant reminder of those who gave their lives so that we may live ours. It is a day of honor, remembrance, and stark realization that despite all of our differences, there are young men and woman willing to sacrifice their most cherished gift, the gift of life.
This is the story that I wrote for the Middletown (NJ) Courier in 1968 after the funeral of Tommy Ptak who was killed in Viet Nam on March 22, 1968, the only resident of Highlands killed during that War, and a young man who grew up down the street from me.
Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day
Highlands’ Vietnam War Hometown Hero
They buried Tommy Ptak Monday morning, the local newspaper in Highlands reported April 4, 1968.
It was Specialist Fourth Class Thomas Ptak, 270 Highland Avenue, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ptak, to the very militarily correct Army sergeant who escorted the soldier’s body from the place where he died in Hue, Vietnam, back home to Highlands for the funeral, then on to Mt. Olivet Cemetery where he will rest forever.
It was Spec 4/c Thomas Ptak to the six ramrod straight and Army-perfect soldiers who served as pallbearers at the military funeral at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where Tommy and his family had worshiped all his life.
To all Americans, to all citizens of a free country, it was Spec. 4/c Thomas Ptak whose body lay in the plain casket under the American flag.
But to the hundreds of people who crowded into Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church for a last goodbye and a funeral mass, to the dozens more who spilled out onto the steps of the Church that gave a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, it was just plain Tommy.
It was Tommy to young brothers and sisters, some of whom weren’t old enough to comprehend the ugly way in which he died.
It was Tommy to sorrowing parents who couldn’t begin to comprehend what wonderful parents they had been and how much love they received from all ten of their children.
It was Tommy, the son who would have been proud of their strength at his funeral.
It was Tommy to the dozens and dozens of high school students from the regional high school he attended, and the two local Catholic high schools where some of his friends attended. They all could remember happier days when Tommy was skillfully performing on a gym horse or tossing a ball with them in the middle of the street.
It was Tommy to the school principals who remembered Tommy as a “good boy, a typical boy, the kind you’d want in any class.”
It was Tommy to practically every neighbor along Highland Avenue and Valley St. where Tommy grew up, folks who remembered a friendly wave or a smile from a busy youth working on a motorcycle in the yard as they passed the always happy, always busy Ptak home. Neighbors who had broken all the rules of protocol and flew their American flags at half-staff even before Highlands Mayor John A. Bahrs ordered it for the entire town. The neighbors had all gone out to front yards to lower their flags the minute they heard of Tommy’s death.
It was Tommy to the three priests who con-celebrated the funeral mass: the one who grew up in the parish and knew the whole Ptak family, the one who spent five years in the parish and knew and visited often with the family, and the one who just arrived in Highlands the year previous, not lucky enough to get closely acquainted with the young hero.
It was Tommy to the police chief and members of the police department who could remember he was ‘a nice kid, we ought to have more like him.”
It was Tommy to the altar boys who formed their own guard of honor as his body left the church. Boys who were classmates of Tommy’s younger brothers or sisters.
It was Tommy to the grammar schoolgirls who sorrowfully sang a very special funeral mass. It was a mass for the Tommy some of them had looked up to when they were very small, and he was a big eighth grader.
It was Tommy, the big brother of their classmates, the big brother who looked so grown up and handsome in his army uniform.
It was Tommy to a neighbor who had served more than twenty years himself in the service of his country. Now retired as a Sergeant Major, Sal Giovenco attended the funeral in full dress uniform, perhaps to show the family of the young hero that he was proud of this particular soldier, proud to have known him, and proud to show that he too believes in the cause for which Tommy died. Sal knew, and showed, Tommy deserved the honor and respect of the American soldier’s uniform.
The official records refer to Tommy as Thomas John Ptak. Born Feb. 1, 1948, died March 22, 1968. The Army records indicate he was an E4, Specialist Fourth Class, ID # 11755688, a member of C Company, Second Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Infantry Regiment…Geronimo, as it was known. He had been promoted twice. He started his Vietnam tour on March 14, 1967, and he was in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam, March 22, 1968, 98 days later, when he was killed in a hostile ground attack of multiple fragmentation wounds. Died outright, the records say. Body recovered. He did have many honors, though: the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and several Vietnam Campaign Medals presented by the South Vietnamese government in appreciation for our American forces.
They buried Tommy Ptak Monday morning; the newspaper continued. The nation lost a soldier, parents lost a son, and Highlands lost a very special youth.
Tommy Ptak was the town’s only casualty of the Vietnam War. It was as a tribute to him and to the cause for which he fought, that the borough’s first high rise senior citizen complex, located just down the hill from where he worshiped, was dedicated as Ptak Towers. Tommy Ptak would love it that the borough’s first affordable housing built to help the older residents of the town he loved so much stands as a living memorial to himself.
Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day
