Hesterhagen – Many Schools, 1 Vision

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July 7, 2024

After telling the audience she decided she wanted to go to MAST when she was in second grade, Marine Academy of Science and Technology graduate Abby Hesterhagen said receiving her diploma last month after “ 720 days of school, 56 boat trips, 50 b-schedules, and three previous graduations,” she and her Class of 2024” have made it “to our last time together on Pershing Field.”

Hesterhagen, the daughter of Richard and Megan Hesterhagen of Atlantic Highlands was treasurer of the senior class and gave the closing remarks at the MAST graduation on Pershing Field at Fort Hancock, where she and every other student has marched, drilled, and paraded throughout their years at MAST as members of the NJROTC.

A class officer for all four years at MAST, Hesterhagen also received recognition as Battalion Training Officer for NJROTC and presented the colors at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel at the final Pass in Review.

In addition to NJROTC, a heavy scholastic workload and her extracurricular activities, Hesterhagen is also a lector at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Highlands and active in her parish.

Now, she told her fellow graduates, “I can’t believe that I am thinking about and especially talking about what happens next as we continue our journeys beyond graduating high school. “

It hasn’t always been easy, she explained to parents, friends, MAST faculty, military guest and school and county officials. “We have been through so much together, from starting freshman year on google meets, looking forward to when we could actually be here on Sandy Hook twice a week, to being outside and on the boat in every type of weather imaginable (with minimal seasickness), getting hypnotized in 77, and signing the anchor together this year. “

It has been an incredible and one of a kind experience for her for those four years, she said. all wanting her to say “ I don’t want to graduate yet.”

However, she pointed out to herself as much as her classmates sitting behind her while she spoke, “these experiences leave us well prepared for a better and more exciting path for the future than we could have paved anywhere else. “

The 60 people behind me right now, she told the group “are the smartest, kindest, and most driven people I know. Our class is now made of researchers, military officers, scientists, engineers, doctors, and more—people that can and will change the world. “People that can change the world because of combined passion and skill; what we have learned during our time at MAST being the strongest force in guiding us to discover and pursue what we love.”

Hesterhagen gives credit to the faculty and other employees at the high school on Sandy Hook. “The people at MAST are truly special. Because of whom we are, being around each other, surrounded by intelligent, compassionate, and dedicated students and teachers every day, our future is bright. We are set up for high levels of success not only because of the incredible opportunities and education we have had at MAST, but because I see everyone around me constantly pushing each other to be the best we can be. “

It’s this encouragement that transforms the drive we needed to get into MAST and takes it to a whole other level as we carry this quality that only MASTies have to college and to create our own successes in our careers and lives. “

The senior, who is a native of Atlantic Highlands, but attended four different elementary schools before starting her freshman year at MAST, pointed out each of the graduates has his own clear, paved path diverging into each graduate’s off-road trails, only wide enough for one person each.. She attended Mother Teresa Regional School from preschool until fourth grade when the parochial school closed and she went to St. Mary’s in New Monmouth for fifth grade and Atlantic highlands Elementary for sixth grade then her final two elementary school years at Henry Hudson.

Determined, practical, effervescent and hardworking, the graduate told her classmates that each graduate’s path involves his own definition of success.

For her, she said, success is finding “something that makes you happy, something that makes you feel fulfilled no matter what other people may feel. It is being able to wake up each day being happy to be wherever you are and looking forward to whatever you are going to do. Success is achieving your own goals and gaining satisfaction for the hard work you have put in. Only we can truly define what success in our lives actually is. “

Success will be far ranging, she continued, and for some will include conducting groundbreaking research, creating innovative designs, or helping hundreds or even thousands of people in need. But there is also success in “meeting incredible friends, being able to pursue hobbies we are passionate about, or spending time in our favorite places.”

As MAST, Hesterhagen continued, “we have gained the tools that will allow us to pursue what we feel success in our lives is, and I firmly believe that our class will continue to carry on MAST’s legacy of success and excellence with the preparation that we have for our separate journeys.

With a bit of melancholy, the graduate concluded “these past four years will always be a part of us. We can all look back on our time in high school and smile, passing stories on to future generations showing how truly amazing MAST is. “Then drawing laughs from the crowd, she added, “ everyone I tell that I go fishing on the boat during school thinks so”

The MAST graduating Class of 2024, according to this member of the class, “cares about each other and our larger community and values pursuit of our biggest goals. We aspire to do our parts in making the world around us better, no matter how we each contribute to doing so. Our time at MAST has shaped all of us into the people we are today, and as we continue on our 61 paths, they will somehow cross over each other, as we reconnect as we pursue our definitions of success.”

The graduate is leaving MAST armed with more than the friends and education she gathered there. Asst the graduation ceremony, she was honored with the Capstone Award for Best Lab Research Practices in Marine Research. Earlier in the week, she was selected Outstanding Senior for Exceptional Leadership and School Involvement, an award presented by Congressman Frank Palone, as well as the Brian D. McAndrew Student Achiever Award, National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation, Sustainable Societies Award, Oceanography Award, and the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish.

In September, she will bring her talents, background and eagerness to always learn to the Florida Institute of Technology where she is double majoring in marine biology and psychology. It comes as no surprise to anyone she received a $24,000 merit scholarship for each of her four years there, where she is enrolled in the honors college.

Ms. Race 20 Years On

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 6, 2024

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It was a group of women from the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club who thought they could and wanted to do more to help others rather than just compete in the club’s popular Wednesday night sailboat races for their own fun and recreation. Ms. Race

And so the Ms. Race was born.

That was 20 years, and this year’s event on Aug. 17 is expected to draw larger crowds, more contestants, and for the women, best of all, another year of record-breaking donations to 180 Turning Lives Around.

Officially, the MS race is a charity sailboat race hosted by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club where all competitors, skippers and crews alike, must be female.

189 Turning Lives Around is the nonprofit organization that works to end domestic and sexual abuse With its motto “We are here for you when you’re ready,” the registered 501 ©3. Non-profit offers free and confidential resources, including 24 hour a day hotlines, counseling, legal advocacy, emergency safe house, and art, play, drama and music therapy for children.

In short, the non-profit empowers survivors and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to find the courage and strength to turn their lives around.

As a non-profit organization, 180 Turning Lives Around,180 receives some financial support from government and civic agencies and foundations, but also depends on faith-based organizations, corporations, foundations and thoughtful and concerned women like the Yacht Club members who admire their work and have made their organization because of its dedication the recipient of funds they are able to raise from all sources.

Every woman who participates in the MS Race contributes to 180 Turning Lives Around, as do many others who follow the sailing schedules and activities of the Yacht Club.

This year’s race is anticipated to be as record breaking as the last three. Each year, donations to 180 Turning Lives Round have been higher than the year previous and countless women and families across the Monmouth County area has been the recipients of much needed care and attention because of that.

The MS Race also honors women who have bene driving forces in their own fields. Last year, the race was held commemorating MS Race supporter and co-chair, Eileen Campbell. Campbell lost her prolonged battle with cancer earlier in the year. Theme of the race, Women Wind Warriors, celebrated women’s strength and resilience sailing with the wind.

Ms. Race

Elvis is IN the Building CANCELLED

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 6, 2024

0

Due to popular demand, the Vincent T. Lombardi Columbiettes #6552 are bringing Elvis back to the Charles J. Hesse Parish Center on Saturday, July 13.

The event, which will assist the auxiliary unit that aides the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus, will also include a buffet dinner hosted by Taliercio’s Gourmet Deli.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m., and music, singalongs, and stories of Elvis Presley will continue throughout the evening.

Tickets, which are $40 per person, include the entertainment, dinner, dessert and soft beverages. Guests are invited to bring their own libations as well.

Further information is available by calling 732-397-5601 or e-mailing columbiettelou@aolcom

Checks can be made payable to Vincent T. Lombardi Columbiettes #6552 and mailed to 94 Asbury Avenue, Atlantic Highlands NJ 07716.

The Hesse Parish Center is located at 55 South Avenue, Atlantic Highlands.

Elvis

Andy Rooney and Amy Lynn Gill

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 5, 2024

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Teen swimmer Hayden Gill of Middletown will present the Amy Lynn Gill Award at the July 13 annual Andy Rooney Swim Meet.

Hayden, who has swum in the race since she was nine years old, will be a competitor in the mile swim again this year. Should she be the first-place finisher, she will receive the award named for her mother, the late Amy Lynn Gill, but it will be presented by Hayden’s father, Brian Gill.

The Amy Lynn Gill Award is one of several which will be awarded following the one mile and two-mile swims, which get underway at 7:30 at Sea Bright’s public beach.

Registration for the competition is limited to 200 swimmers with the first 125 to receive the swim meet tee shirt.

The Amy Lynn Gill Award will be presented to the first-place female in the one-mile swim, the Mike Hudson Award will be presented to the first place male in the one mile swim. Awards will be given to the top five male and top five female finishers of both the one- and two-mile swims. Wetsuit wearers will be in a separate division with awards for the top three overall male and female swimmers.

For more information on the Swim meet, or to register, visit For more information visit https://raceforum.com/sbswim

All participants can download their finished certificates with award placements for each event.

Hayden, a student at Red Bank Catholic High School, trains for swimming with the NJRC in Tinton Falls. Many of her fellow swimmers at the Tinton Falls facility are registered for the Andy Rooney Meet.

Tee shirts that are for sale, along with chances on a 50-50. All proceeds will benefit the Amy Lynn Gill Scholarship for the Hazlet Board of Education where Amy was a teacher at the time of her death in January.

Raised in Atlantic Highlands, Amy Lynn Gill attended St. Agnes School and Mater Dei High School, before earning her degree at Keystone College and Kean University where she earned her master’s degree in special education. She taught for more than 24 years in the Hazlet school district’s special education program and also coached the swim program at Raritan High School.

Following the race, at 2 p.m. at the Proving Ground, Shrewsbury Avenue, Highlands, interested persons are invited to join the Gill family in celebrating what would have been Amy’s 50^th birthday. Tee shirts will also be available for sale at that event.

Andy Rooney Andy Rooney Andy Rooney Andy Rooney Andy Rooney

The Basswood Tree and Joshua Huddy

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 2, 2024

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Joshua Huddy, that Revolutionary soldier who was hung by the British in Highlands, has always been a favorite historic figure for youngsters and adults alike even before the Highlands Historical Society staged a rendering of Jo-Anne Olszewski’s story of details of his hanging . The hanging took place in the area which is now Huddy Park at Bay and Waterwitch avenues in the borough.

Ann McNeil, who lived on Navesink Avenue adjacent to what is now the Highlands Borough Hall, was a teacher for many years and often taught her young students not only local history but designed her stories into poems so they would enjoy them more.

Much later in life, when she was a resident of Care One Nursing Home until her death at 105 years of age, Ann also entertained herself and her visitors with more poems she hand wrote, some of which have been compiled into a book written by John King.

Rather than writing about Huddy himself, Ann opted to identify a tree she believed was used for his hanging and wrote the following poem about the Basswood Tree.

THE BASSWOOD TREE by Ann McNeill

Oh, they hung Joshua Huddy

On that old basswood tree

Yes they did, for all to see

On that old tree.

They did it to get even,

They said the he was spying

They knew that they were lying,

But they hung him on that tree.

That old tree.

Later workmen cut it down,

Not a trace can now be found

On the ground where it grew

That old Tree.

But Captain Huddy I remember

And one day in November

I will place some flowers on the spot where it grew

That basswood tree

That old tree.

Basswood Tree

Gatekeeper to POTUS

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 2, 2024

0

First Lady Jill Biden is not the first Presidential wife to be the obvious caregiver and protector of her husband. gatekeeper

President Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith, was known to have hidden her husband’s severe illnesses from not only the public but his Cabinet and advisors as well.

It was Edith Wilson who decided what was important enough to bring to her husband’s attention, and it was Edith Wilson, as First Lady, who reviewed, studied, and made decisions on communications and encrypted messages meant for the President of the United States alone.

Edith Wilson’s story is part of the history taught at The Manse, the Staunton, Virginia home where Wilson was born when his father was a minister in the Presbyterian church there.

A magnificent house with a museum that is filled with artifacts and collectibles from the man who served as President during World War I, it is a popular attraction for historians and theater goers first drawn by the Shakespearean theater also in Staunton.

Emily Wilson, like Jill Biden, was her husband’s second wife, marrying him one year after the death of his wife. It was 1915, the first year of his Presidency when the couple, who had met several months earlier were married, she 15 years his junior.

As First Lady, Emily was the first woman to visit Europe during her husband’s presidential term and was with him as the Paris Peace Conference and at the signing of the Treaty at Versailles when the war ended in 1918.

The President suffered a severe stroke which left him bedridden and paralyzed in October 1919.

Edith, rather than defer to officials, took charge of her husband’s care, denying even Cabinet members any access to him and certainly keeping his severe illness out of the knowledge of the public.

It was she, a descendant of Pocahontas, who was in charge…her stewardship, she said….of her husband’s decisions during the remaining almost 18 months of his Presidency. It was she who decided which papers were important enough to bring to his attention, it was she who determined that his Secretary of State Robert Lansing should be removed from office. Lansing had called a meeting of the President’s Cabinet. But did not invite her to attend when she declined to let her husband be present.

In short, Edith said she was President Wilson’s “Vessel of Information” as she described herself. Politicians who knew of the President’s severe illness said at the time that no woman had ever had a husband who depended on her so much. They termed her the gatekeeper for the President of the United States.

Wilson remained in office for a year and a half following his debilitating stroke, and Edith handled his affairs from October of 1919 until he left office at the end of his term in March 1921.

After Wilson died in February 1924, his widow remained active in politics, headed the Board of Governors for the Women’s National Democratic Club, attended Franklin Roosevelt’s inauguration and later his funeral in 1945 as well as John Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. She died in December of 1961 at age 89. Her birthplace in Wytheville, Virginia is a national historic site and museum.

Both President and Edith Wilson are buried at the Washington National Cathedral, the only President to be buried in Washington, DC.

If you ever visit Staunton, stay HERE

gatekeeper gatekeeper gatekeeper gatekeeper gatekeeper

On This 4 th … The Constitution in Peril

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 2, 2024

1

As the United States of America prepares to celebrate the 248^th anniversary of that daring time when brave patriots made the decision to oppose the strongest power in the world in order to ensure freedom and independence for a new nation, we also appear to be facing the real danger of tearing apart the very Constitution that Declaration signing made possible.

Our nation’s leaders in the 18^th century made the foundation of the Supreme Court Article III of the Constitution. That Act established a judiciary system new to the world, and one that identifies “the judicial Power of the United States, SHALL be vested in one supreme Court….” together with inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.”

The Constitution established the Supreme Court and gave the legislative office, Congress, permission to decide how to organize it. Hence, the Judiciary Act of 1789 created a Supreme Court with six justices.

Over the years, various Acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, ranging from a low of five to a high of 10, but shortly after the Civil War, the number was established at nine where it remains.

Members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, hold office for life, and remain apolitical in their actions. Congress also dictated that salaries of justices could not be decreased during their term of office as a means of ensuring their independence as a judiciary that remains clear of all political branches of government.

More importantly, Article III, Section II of the Constitution guarantees it is the Court that can hear any case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The court can make the decision to hear, or not hear, a case.

But the most well-known power of these one of three branches of government in a republic is the Court’s right to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, the right established by the Marbury v. Madison decision in 1803.

The Supreme Court plays an all-important role in our constitutional system of government. This is the court of last resort. This is the branch of government that ensures each of the other two branches, executive and legislative, realizes its own limits of power.

This week, the Supreme Court handed down its decision on Presidential privileges. That decision makes it the Law of the Land. Already, there is talk of those who look for ways to ‘get around’ what they now know the Supreme Court says.

Perhaps they will.

This is America, this is a republic, they have the right to go back to court with new arguments and new evidence.

But, for the President of the United States, the only person in that one Executive Branch of the three branches of government, to say the Supreme Court is wrong, is in error, or should not be involved, is shameful and embarrassing on any day.

In the week when the United States of America is celebrating, with grateful memories, those men and women who suffered so much so that, 248 years later we can still have God-given rights they protected so fiercely, an Executive Branch of government challenging the Supreme Court branch of government is an insult to Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and all other brave signers of the Declaration of Independence who created our United States.

Constitution

Regionalization – An Educators Sage Advice

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 2, 2024

4

Whether you were a youngster in one of her classes at Our Lady of Perpetual Help school when she was a favorite teacher there, or an educator at the Elementary School when she was on the Board of Education, or for that matter, a parent or taxpayer when she was a member of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education, the name Joan Wicklund is synonymous with common sense, intelligence, and thinking things through before making any decision. Advice

Combining her years as a teacher in Highlands, and a member of both boards, this lovely and ever pleasant lady has given more than three decades to education of youngsters who have since grown up and frequently stop to tell her just what she has meant in their lives.

Today, Joan still lives in Highlands, still keeps up on every bit of local news, and still has very strong opinions after insisting on getting all the facts from every source possible.

These days, she is certainly happy the two local school boards are now a thing of the past, and she has serious doubts about the transitional board for the new PreK-12 district.

Always putting education at the top of her list of what’s important in a school system, Joan is on a mission to be sure both Highlands and Atlantic Highlands voters become well informed, know statistics, and follow the news of what’s been done that isn’t made public until after the fact when it comes to Henry Hudson.

She’s a strong advocate that everyone has to vote for five Highlands members for the nine-member board that will be on the ballot in November and she wants to be sure they know which five will lead the new district to provide the best education while not burdening the taxpayer.

She is a strong proponent of Sea Bright coming into the district to share in the cost and an even stronger proponent of being sure the board is open, honest, transparent and listens to the people.

That goes back to Joan’s early days on one of the boards. The late Kathleen Mendes, the lady largely responsible for the district getting that plush piece of land for a school, and also a former board member, thanks in part to her very generous father, Haak Kavookjian, gave Joan advice one day.

That advice was to always conduct all board business at open meetings, and to listen carefully to the people before taking final action on anything. Kathleen also had words for the public at board meetings, which at that time often ran late in the night. Kathleen would tell residents they had three things to do, assuring them they would be heard and any advice given. As Joan recalls, Kathleen would tell the public at meetings to “be Prepared, Be Brief, and Be seated.”

She laughs now, remembering her own explanation of why public sessions were always so long when she was on the board. “I always wanted to hear from the public,” she said this week, “because I found that my hearing was always so much better when it was a member of the public who was doing the talking.”

Good advice for the incoming board as well.

read All The Stories On Regionalization HERE

Advice Advice

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

By

Muriel J. Smith

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July 1, 2024

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Ed Segall … The Man, The Myth, The Legend

For a quarter-century, the ritual never changed.

As the sun began to set over Sandy Hook Bay each summer evening, a man with a white beard grabbed a microphone at a seaside restaurant and began talking about pride and sacrifice, patriotism and service. He invoked the nation’s war dead, welcomed visitors from other countries, asked everyone to stand up, take off their hats, hold hands with the strangers at the next table, and give thanks.

“The freedom you enjoy did not come free,” Ed Segall said. Then he led everyone in singing “God Bless America” with the song invariably ending, to applause and a few tears, just as the sun dipped over the horizon.

So wrote Reporter Peter Applebombe in the New York Times in August 2013, the year after the famed Sea Gull’s Nest at Sandy Hook was wiped out forever after Hurricane Sandy.
Even so, Reporter Applebombe only told part of the story. The natives knew even more.

If you came up to the Sea Gull’s Nest, you better be a patriot. You don’t take your hat off for the Pledge, or sing God Bless America with fervor, you would be invited to leave. It rarely came to that. Once Ed’s practice of a nightly thank you for our country became tradition, it would be the guests who would unceremoniously invite any non-patriot to leave before he got in trouble.

This July 4, in addition to remembering Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, two Signers of the Declaration, it’s a time to remember Ed Segall, who died Feb 3 of this year at age 96.

Jefferson and Adams, the two Patriots, Presidents, political enemies and true friends, died in their homes, Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia, Adams in Quincy, Massachusetts on the 50^th anniversary of their daring and brave declaration that Americans should not have to pay taxes without representation nor pay allegiance to a King an ocean away.

But Ed Segall was a man for the 20^th century, a man who grew up in Newark, the son of a Romanian immigrant and a mom who raised her nine children alone after her husband’s death.

Ed was one of four brothers who fought in World War II, one of only three who came home safely.

Ed turned to boxing as a hobby as well as college coach and ended up a Golden Gloves welterweight champ. He ran an ice cream truck to get himself through college and later concessions at state parks before founding his own trucking company.

In 1962, before it was Gateway National Recreation Area, Ed started snack bars and a souvenir shop as the concessionaire for what was then Sandy Hook State Park with all its magnificent beaches. And after the federal government took over the park as a national recreation area, they even built the building and gave Ed the concession rights to what became known as the Sea Gull’s Nest, Ed Segall’s popular and only eatery on Sandy Hook.

Hundreds of local kids got their first work experience and made their first money working at Ed’s Sea Gull’s Nest. They came back during and after college, bringing along through the years the next generation of folks who will forever keep Sea Gull’s Nest a great party of their memory.

But when Sandy destroyed the first floor of this magnificent site on the beach wiping out all the electrical stuff that kept grills and refrigerators working, and Ed’s insurance company only covered the cost of a small part of it, he knew he was in trouble. The Park Service didn’t want to finance the repairs to their own building, rather, they wanted Ed to run concession stands, kinda going back to how he started.

He fought. He fought hard. But the NPS is a big organization, they owned the land, and Ed Segall and his patriotic nightly rituals, became a thing of the past. Every Summer beachgoer cried along with Ed Segall, but the Sea Gull’s Nest became history. So did the nightly National Anthem and God Bless America at the national recreation area.

The feisty Jewish patriot did have some recognition after he lost his business though.

Fuzz Harrison was the commanding officer at NWS Earle. He knew all the stories that Ed talked about how the ships over at the Earle Pier in Leonardo would blink their lights to say thanks to him. He knew all the Sailors who could relax, be applauded by crowds and feel appreciated at the Sea Gull’s Nest when Ed called for patriotic moments and everyone complied. Capt. Harrison himself visited the Nest many times, always appreciated, always honored, and always in awe of Ed’s patriotism.

So at his own change of command ceremony, Capt. Harrison invited Ed to be his guest at the military ceremonies over in Colts Neck. He told his story and called Ed up to be recognized. Capt. Harrison led the crowd, which included two admirals, two captains and dozens of military and civilians and invited them all to hold hands, face that huge American flag ever present at Earle, and then invited Ed to lead the crowd in singing “God Bless America.” The tears in this patriot’s face flowed freely as he accepted thee honors from the people he most admired and always protected and appreciated.

When you think of July 4, you think of Patriotism. And when you think of patriotism, you think of Ed Segall. Legend Legend Legend Legend Legend Legend Legend Legend Legend Legend

We Were So Proud … Once

By

Muriel J. Smith

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June 30, 2024

1

Happy Birthday America!

In 1976 Atlantic Highlands was one of the Bayshore towns that truly went above and beyond in celebrating the nation’s 200^th birthday. Besides hosting cadets on the Tall Ships that formed the Parade of Ships into New York Harbor, every polcie officer from Chief Jim Egidio down along with every borough employee took on extra work loads to be sure motorists weren’t blocked in traffic, boats were able to dock in the harbor, and families could feel save in their homes with crowds anticipated to be so large the Highlands Police Chief wanted machine guns and extra law enforcement assistance. Proud

But when it was over, it was a fine Fourth of July and we as Americans treated guests from so many countries as new friends, welcoming them, showing them why we are so proud of our country, and inviting them to come back and visit again.

The following is the editorial in The Courier in July, 1976, that gives an idea of how friendly, courteous and genuinely happy everyone was, resident and visitor alike.

PROUD TO BE AMERICAN

The good natures, smiles, hugs and kisses and continued sound of laughter in the air told it all over the big Bicentennial Weekend. America loves a parade, especially one on the “sea”.

The warmth and generosity with which Americans greeted strangers from across the ocean, and the sincere and heartfelt reactions returned them from cadets also told a big story. We’re a people who really don’t want to make war, but rather would like to live in peace and harmony with other countries.”

People who live on or by the sea are a whole different breed. They recognize the beauty of nature, the solitude of the sea, the vastness of the earth. And they react accordingly.

They know the important things in life are not whether or not you speak the same language, but whether you can transmit your ideas and feelings with no need of a- common tongue.

They know a smile and a warm handshake will go a lot further towards crossing the sea. They know committee people like the Wallaces, the Wheatons, the McCallums and the Ruddys, and many more like them, organized their own homes and dinner plans so as not to miss out on any of the excitement of the town while still providing home cooked meals for the cadets.

Dedicated people like John Fox, head of the harbor commission, harbormaster Lou Papa, and employees at the harbor, went about the job of keeping things running as smooth as greased wheels while still having the time to smile, welcome every visitor, and enjoy themselves.

Sunday night’s fireworks were spectacular.

The parade on Monday was beautiful, a colorful array of floats and people proud of their heritage, proud of the celebration, and proud of their community. The family fun time was excitement, smiles, gossip and good food, just like family days are supposed to be.

The town as a whole, and the Bicentennial Commission in particular, deserve a great round of applause for a job well done. There’s got to be great satisfaction in knowing your neighbors at home are pleased and delighted.

And the new friends you met from the tall ships carried back with them, besides the apple and pecan pies, the platters of Virginia baked ham and turkey, the buckets from the Clam Hut dinner they won’t forget, hearts full of love, admiration, and respect for the American people because of lasting impressions you gave.

Patriotic long hours of deliberation and talk. They know there’s a big difference between politics and people. And they prefer the latter.

It was a good time for America, too, because no one was ashamed to be patriotic. No one seemed to care if you didn’t know all the words of the national anthem, or sang Columbia the Gem of the Ocean slightly off-key.

Everybody felt good about wearing red, white, and blue and draping flags from open windows or on a stick perched in a tub of flowers. Just about everybody felt a special affinity towards Thomas Jefferson and the other 55 signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Our nation’s birthday party was a huge success, partially because of a feeling of warmth and patriotism, partly because of the rousing Happy Birthday accorded us from across the sea.

Let’s hope the happy feelings and the new friendships stay behind when the whites of the sails are far beyond the horizon.

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