It’s show time again Thursday night in Atlantic Highlands when the Planning Board continues hearing the Kalian application to build that second apartment complex on First Avenue where Mike’s Deli is now. Stay Informed
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and every resident, regardless of where he lives in town, should be present either in person or on zoom and become informed with all the details of what is being offered and what the planning board will do about it. Stay Informed
The borough has strict building regulations for a purpose. When the Master Plan for the borough was designed, and the laws made for what can go where and how it should look, it was for a reason. It is to keep the appearance of the town the way people who live here want it.
Builders who want to deviate from that plan must show a reason why it is necessary to do something “a little bit different” and still be able to build it. That’s what a variance is.
Only the planning board can grant a variance, that is, sufficient reason to go against the law that keeps buildings in Atlantic Highlands in the style the overall plan calls for.
Every town has a planning board, every town grants variances, some for very small reasons like building a porch on a house that is a foot closer to the property line than it should be. Then others request more variances, to either build too much on too small a piece of property, offer rooms, or parking spaces, or building heights, or other reasons.
So this is where the Planning Board needs the help of the residents. These are big decisions to make, deciding whether a builder is presenting something good enough, important enough, beneficial enough for the town to go against the Master Plan.
If they can prove some things are good and will benefit the town, and not cause any problems, then the planners may grant a variance, a deviation from the law. It’s up to residents to be informed, know exactly what the plans are, think of how it will impact them, their view of the town, their safety, their health or any other reason.
By attending the planning board meeting, residents can see the exhibits, hear the ideas, see how it impacts themselves, and be informed. They can give their own opinion, they can say whether they think going against the rule is worth the change it will create. Stay Informed
So, Thursday night, the hearing continues for what at this point would be the second tallest building in the borough, about a block from the entrance to the borough. Right next to what is probably the third tallest building in the borough. Stay Informed
The builders are willing to make changes, so they don’t need so many variances. They’re willing to hear the suggestions of the engineer and the planning board; in fact, they will probably have some different ideas Thursday night from what they presented last week. That’s because some wise members of the planning board and the borough’s very sharp Engineer Rohmeyer, asked lots of questions, made lots of suggestions and are working with the builder so he can perhaps make adjustments that are more in keeping with the law.
It’s an important meeting to attend. It probably won’t even be the last meeting of this particular project. But once approvals are given, and variances are granted, it isn’t easy to come back and say this is not a good thing for this town. Stay Informed
Be informed. Learn what’s going up on a small piece of property for the size of the building. When you get the chance, give your opinion. Let the Planning Board members know your concerns. Find out for yourself how many variances are too many? How many ways should a builder be able to go against the law and still keep Atlantic Highlands looking like the people of Atlantic Highlands want it to look like.
Stay informed. That’s the only way good things happen.
The second Planning Board hearing for 160 First Avenue is THURSDAY, August 3 at 7pm in Borough Hall.
At the Planning Board hearing, information on the proposed building, which would be the second tallest building in the Borough, was presented by two of the professionals retained by Kalian Corporation to build the complex.
Based on what the developer heard from the Board at the previous Planning Board hearing and the public’s concerns, in addition to more testimony and more experts testifying, it is probably the developer will offer changes to the design to come more in keeping with concerns raised at that meeting.
Numerous variances will be required for the building in the present proposal and it appears that no fewer than 44 variances are currently required.
The construction is planned for a property with 117-foot frontage on First Ave and a depth of 170 feet adjacent to a residential area.
Visit the Borough website at www.AHNJ.Com for the Planning Board Zoom attendance at the meeting, or attend in person at Borough Hall, 100 First Ave.
Veni Vidi Scripto has two important questions residents should be asking each other. One is what is the TriDistrict? Right now, there is no such thing.
The second, and more important is, why ever would three boards of education, comprised of intelligent thinking people, get an idea that should have been and could have been done more than half a century ago. Who Benefits … why is it such a good idea now?
Nobody did anything for more than 50 years, and now, all of a sudden, it’s so great and it has to be voted on so soon. Worse, why now go with backward thinking when Sea Bright is offering a 21st century solution. If the voters want it, it would bring money and better educational opportunities into the mix and make it all worthwhile?
If the local boards of education just thought a little more wisely today they could come up with something better that what they could have being doing for more than half a century.
Elections are expensive. So are all the changes that have to be made officially when names change. Right now, the three boards work well together. What’s to gain by sharing the costs differently, other than to make one board’s taxpayers pay a share of costs the other school board may have racked up? Who Benefits?
Are the boards of education who unanimously think that proposing the way the three schools deal with each other without any new ideas or money coming in going to explain how and why this is a good thing?
The boards say that at some time in the future, of course they want Sea Bright to join.
Heck, they even unanimously sent a resolution to the Commissioner saying that. So already that means they’re talking about yet another election after this rush job in 50 days or so. If approved, that would mean yet another change in the board that runs the schools. But at least at that time, there would be a few million dollars being poured in so it could certainly be worth it if an election included Sea Bright in a new district.
So let’s see who benefits from a special election to consolidate under one board what three boards apparently have been doing just fine for half a century or more.
Well, the Superintendent of the new tri-district would benefit a bundle. Right now, the superintendent is hired by Henry Hudson Regional School, and she is ‘shared’ by the two elementary schools. So there are three budgets but one employer, the Henry Hudson district.
With a ‘tridistrict board,” there would only be one budget. That means the costs and programs now decided by 26 different people would be decided by nine people. The superintendent would not have to answer to 26 people; she would just answer to nine people.
It would appear the two year contract with the current superintendent, which is slated to begin July 1, 2024, would have to be negotiated . There would no longer be the Henry Hudson Regional School Board of Education that negotiated it, with the approval of the two other boards who share in the cost.
But there would not be any three boards anymore, so how could the contract still be valid? Wouldn’t the new board of education, those new nine board members, have any say in who is running a district that did not exist when the contract was signed?
The superintendent also benefits from a decision to include only the three schools that now share her services rather than include Sea Bright. Who Benefits?
Remember, the superintendent lives in Oceanport. That’s the town where Sea Bright youngsters currently go to school. If Sea Bright were included in the new and approved Tri-District, that would take a whole bunch of money away from Oceanport, hence, higher taxes for Oceanport residents … including the superintendent. Who Benefits?
No one has very explained to VeniVidiScripto or anyone else, why the very fact that adding Sea Bright to the mix would have an immediate impact on the personal life of the superintendent is NOT a conflict of interest. Who Benefits?
No one has ever explained why this apparent conflict has not prevented the superintendent from participating so heavily in all the negotiations for regionalization, being the primary speaker and advising the boards of education. Who Benefits?
These are the three boards that a few days ago unanimously voted to put a regionalization question on a special ballot that does NOT include Sea Bright. The same three boards of education that had their own experts, paid by tax dollars, advise them of all the benefits of including Sea Bright. Why hire experts to advise if you don’t want to take their advice? Who Benefits?
Perhaps the Commissioner of Education should shoulder some of the blame. She’s been sitting on that idea that was proposed, approved, and unanimously sent to her by BOTHthe governing bodies AND the three boards of Education.
That is the resolution to approve a vote on a NEW Tri District which would include Sea Bright, bring money into Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, make life easier for Sea Bright youngsters and make a positive change both in taxes and education. Who Benefits?
Her delay on that decision on that resolution is apparently because of that lawsuitOceanport is bringing against Sea Bright for daring to try to take charge of educating their own kids the way they want.
Oh, that’s Oceanport again. The town where the superintendent of the other three schools lives and … pays taxes. Who Benefits?
There are strong minds, great research, and a reliability for good reason on all the experts on this issue among the governing bodies of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright. Their joint letter this week urging the Commissioner to act shows their strong desire to put question before the public that include ALL options, not simply organize three schools that work together into one district with no additional gains in either educational standards of money.
Let’s see what happens if the Commissioner grants that resolution request and governing bodies can put the complete question on the November ballot.
Once again, history will be made.
Look for another story soon on what exactly is the Tri District the boards talk about.
Mayors Carolyn Broullon of Highlands, Brian Kelly of Sea Bright and Loretta Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands.
Letters From Regionalization
The Mayors of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright, who have been trying to let the people of their towns decide whether they want regionalization for several years also lost no time in letting the Commission of Education know they are “delighted she…..recognizes the merit of consolidating the three school district” and they “are particularly pleased that our votes can decide this issue at a referendum in the fall.”
Mayors Carolyn Broullon of Highlands, Brian Kelly of Sea Bright and Loretta Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands.
Highlands Mayor Carol Broullon was the first to let her residents know of the surprising and sudden move made by the boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, posting the letter on the borough website.
Her action, and the letter from the three mayors, refers to the action the three boards of education unanimously took at a hastily called special meeting earlier this week in which they set Sept. 26 at the date for a special election to Wednesday night whether Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Henry Hudson schools could consolidate in one regional district.
The mayors’ letter, however, also reflects their grave concerns over the boards’ request to the Commissioner, and her response at the recommendation of the county superintendent, omits Sea Bright from the vote or inclusion in the K-12 regionalization plan.
The mayors pointed out that two studies, one done by the three boards of education with state funds, the other by the boroughs with local funds, both by third party organizations, also show tax savings and educational opportunities in any regionalization are only possible if Sea Bright is included.
The measure passed unanimously by all three boards of education at the hastily called meeting, does not address Sea Bright at all. The mayors beseeched the Commission to include Sea Bright in the fall referendum and expressed the hope that is the action she will take shortly.
The Joint letter reads, in full:
As mayors of Sea Bright, Highlands, and Atlantic Highlands, we are delighted that the Commissioner of Education has reviewed the submissions from our three towns and three boards of education and recognized the merit of consolidating our three school districts. We are particularly pleased that our voters can decide this issue at a referendum this fall.
However, those same submissions made it clear that the essential benefits of regionalization can be enjoyed only if Sea Bright is part of the new regional district. As there is no legal or factual impediment to including the option to include Sea Bright in the upcoming referendum, we urge the Commissioner to conclude her analysis and follow the direction of every expert retained by our six public bodies; that is, the tax savings and educational opportunities available through regionalization can be fully realized only if Sea Bright is part of the region. Thus, the option to include Sea Bright must be part of this fall’s referendum and we trust that the Commissioner will approve same in the coming days.
Loretta Gluckstein, Mayor of Atlantic Highlands
Carolyn Broullon, Mayor of Highlands
Brian Kelly, Mayor of Sea Bright
Members of all three boards of education unanimously approved the Sept. 26 special election date for the regionalization question without Sea Bright with all members present voting in favor. Only Atlantic Highlands Board President Molly Murphy abstained from the vote. Her husband, Councilman James Murphy, is on the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council.
At the same meeting, the three boards also unanimously approved a new contract of two-year term for Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams when her current contract expires June 30, 2024. That contract would expire June 30, 2026.
According to business administrator for two boards Janet Sherlock, Wednesday’s meeting was advertised in the Star Ledger on June 24 and the Asbury Park Press on June 26 apparently with incomplete or incorrect information. The notice was “updated” and sent to both daily newspapers Saturday, July 22. No notice was sent to the local weekly legal newspaper for the boards, the Two River Times.
It almost looks like there’s a perfect storm brewing in Atlantic Highlands, with so many major issues ongoing.
There’s that all of a sudden rush for a vote on the school regionalization question which has been studied, talked about, and delayed for years, to say nothing of money paid for experts to say what’s best for education and the economy… A Perfect Storm is brewing
There is that litigation over faults in construction of a building that the borough previously approved and paid for a couple of years back… A Perfect Storm is brewing
Then there is the litigation surrounding the denialof reasonable accommodation requests … A Perfect Storm is brewing
There is that second high rise apartment complex being planned for right smack door to the one nearly completion…A Perfect Storm is brewing
There are the ongoing problems of too much traffic on First Avenue, and not enough parking to enjoy the borough’s wonderful shops and restaurants… A Perfect Storm is brewing
There is still the wonder of what, if anything, is ever going to happen to the Mother Theresa school property and how plans for that will impact or change a residential neighborhood… A Perfect Storm is brewing
Then of course there is also cannabis and whether shops should be allowed in town which has not even been addressed publicly by the borough fathers and mothers yet… A Perfect Storm is brewing
And it’s the beginning of what promises to be an interesting local election cycle in September and November not only for the Borough Council but also the boards of education…A Perfect Storm is brewing
In the midst of it all, Mark Fisher, probably the best watcher and documenter of everything going on in town, is knee deep, pun intended, in what could also be a very serious problem not only in the borough but in Sandy Hook Bay and beyond. In spite of the urgency of it all, Mr. Fisher hasn’t gotten the cooperation of the powers that be, who better start paying attention to the necessity to protect our natural resources. A Perfect Storm is brewing
Not only does Mark record every detail of every problem he sees, but he is resourceful, hard working, and determined to correct wrongs and problems wherever he can. He knows the things he cannot accomplish on his own, so he depends on the powers that be to do something; in fact, he gives them all the leads, help, photos, samples and anything else they need simply to do their job.
The latest is the Denholtz projecton the McConnell tract off Ave, D, Years ago, when the construction of large homes on the site came before the planning board, Mark reminded everyone the property is an active DEP remediation site.
Seems that back in the 40s and 50s, the 60s as well, there was an active petrochemical storage tank and fuel oil truck terminal going on there. So there are hydrocarbons chemicals and carcinogens showing up on when the wells on site are monitored. Mark reminded the governing body of all of this and suggested that with these things all present, messing with the land would make it move around. Not a good thing.
And that’s what appears to be happening.
So Mark fired off an e-mail to the mayor, the council members, the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commissioner and the business administrator who has been responded to Mark’s “sniff tests” of what he has dug up. He had a bunch of questions for a regular meeting of Council, which would have been last night. But since there is only one meeting in July, even these questions have to wait for any action, so Mark wrote everybody instead.
Here’s Mark’s letter. It went to everybody on council, the administrator and the AH Environmental Commissioner…A Perfect Storm
After hearing AHFD being dispatched over county radio on Monday, and following the heavy rain storms Tuesday afternoon, I thought this morning [Wednesday] would be a good time to walk the shoreline north of the Denholtz redevelopment project at low-tide to determine for myself if I could see or smell any obvious environmental contamination issues.
As you may recall, the Denholtz redevelopment site was formerly an active petrochemical storage tank facility and fuel oil truck terminal operation during the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. Currently, there is “ongoing site remediation” under the supervision of the NJDEP through a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP). Remediation of the site’ contaminants is by “natural attenuation”; there is no current, nor previous, physical removal of sub-surface liquid contaminants and soil.
There has, however, been recent extensive site regrading to accommodate the construction of 16 new homes on the site. Establishing underground utilities infrastructure began yesterday, with trenches being dug near Ave. D, a road bed will be installed with the excavations for the home foundations next and eventually, a public boardwalk along the water.
I accessed the beach bordering Sandy Hook Bay [on Wednesday] through the public access path from Center Avenue Park, proceeded through the catamaran club/public beach and walked east along the shore line in front of the construction area. About 100 yards east of the cat club, I detected a very obvious hydrocarbon odor.
The area where I detected the odor, as a landmark, is where there are two deteriorated steel pipes running in a north/south direction laying half exposed in the sand. These two pipes, in decades past, were used to transfer the oil products from barges tied-up a few hundred yards off-shore into the onshore holding tanks. Nothing is coming from these two pipes you will see in the pictures below, the “pipes” are now just shards of metal.
Parallel to the shoreline is a dilapidated timber retaining wall that runs along the entire length of the Denholtz north property line. This wall in most locations, holds-back the sand/gravel from the elevations above; the predominant project grading above and to the south of that area is perhaps 10-12 feet higher than the shoreline sand.
It should be noted that at no time during my walk along the shoreline did I witness any evidence of oil sheening in the water.
Being that my purpose for this trip north of the site was to determine if there are any ongoing environmental issues influenced by the many inches of rain experienced 18-hours prior, I brought a small jar to take a sample; if I saw sheen, it would have been a bay water sample. However, seeing no sheen, I chose to take a soil sample. The soil in this area is very large-grain beach sand and a high percentage of small pebbles.
I stood where the hydrocarbon odor was the most obvious, and at about waist-high level behind the timber retaining wall, was very wet soil. I took a small piece of driftwood and scraped down about 2-inches and scooped up a sample of the soil into the sample jar and capped it. Low tide [Wednesday] morning was at 0806, I noted the time of the sample at 0836. I took pictures of the area where the sample was taken and walked back to my car parked at Center Ave. Park, uncapped the jar and, not surprisingly, there was a very heavy smell of hydrocarbon (oil).
On my way home, I asked the Business Administrator if he had a moment to also witness the odor of the sample taken for himself outside of Borough Hall, he confirmed a hydrocarbon smell as well and suggested that I file a complaint with the NJDEP.
A formal notification was made with the NJDEP at 9:21 am, I gave the information to “Operator 58”. The NJDEP Case # is 23-07-26-0921-35. From what I understand, this is not the first complaint filed with the NJDEP about issues at the Denholtz property. I have retained the sample and am willing to let anyone who wishes stick their nose in the jar; it will leave no doubt that there is an ongoing environmental situation at the Denholtz redevelopment property.
It is of my opinion that this hydrocarbon, at some point during the twice-daily tidal cycles, is actually getting into the water of Sandy Hook Bay…how can it not?. The water is 4-feet higher at high tide, the shore line in this specific area is inaccessible to the public as it is located on a site secured by a chain-link fence and locked gates. Perhaps sheen could be detected at high tide in this area, but the area can only be accessed by the public at low tide.
It appears the regrading of the area has caused the known underground hazardous contaminants to actively move toward the bay, Tuesday rains helped push it there. The LSRP, county HAZMAT and NJDEP should come to the site — AT LOW TIDE — and take their own soil samples at the foot of the hill all along the timber retaining wall (at the approximate high-tide level) and decide a path-forward to mitigate the hazardous contaminants, rather than continuing passive “natural attenuation”.
The Borough has indisputable evidence, proof that there is an ONGOING AND CONSTANT environmental situation that directly affects the waters of Sandy Hook Bay, to some extent, with every tidal cycle; if there are hydrocarbons in this small random sample taken at the water line, there is some amount of hydrocarbons getting into the water with every cycle through high tide. Many noses have gone into that sample jar in the last two days, and every person agrees it has an oily smell.
While the Denholtz redevelopment project is located on private property, and the Borough officials may feel that their hands are tied legally and procedurally, ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC PERSONALLY NOTIFYING NJDEP, ALSO STEWARDS OF PROTECTING ALL OF THE GOD-GIVEN NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE BOROUGH, CAN’T NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.
Everything that I warned the Planning Board, developer and the public about four years ago is happening, I have evidence proving it is happening. The Planning Board approved this project, now the Borough owns the problem.
Subscribe to Mark’s group at AHNewsByMarkFisher@gmail.com. He even includes the tide tables in case you don’t to go down and see things for yourself, sniff the air or water, and perhaps do something to help.
Maybe you want to ask the question Mark’s asking:
Today is Thursday, two business days after the soil sample was taken and Borough officials notified of the contents. What is being done about it?
A Perfect Storm is brewing, and we might all want to take cover
Every once in a while you get the opportunity to see where no matter what is happening in the country, in the world, or in politics, when it gets right down to it, you get a glimpse into the youth of today that gives you comfort that they will do just fine as leaders of tomorrow.
It happened to me twice in two days.
After the funeral for a well respected and loved gentleman, there was a repast with a buffet overflowing with a variety of great food. A young teenage boy, the decedent’s grandson, piled his plate filled with mashed potatoes. He turned to a staff member who was smiling broadly, enjoying the fact he was enjoying his meal, and he said, “these are just the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had. I love them. If I take this much, will there still be enough for everyone else?”
Assured that there was more than enough, with an invitation to come back for more when he finished that, the youngster smiled, said thanks and sat down with his family to capture one small comfort after the death of his grandfather… The Youth of Today
The following day, in church, I met a charming mom with her six children, three older girls and three young boys. Visitors from Virginia, they said they were here to visit with their grandfather, who was extremely ill and near death in the hospital. They chatted a bit about everything from their home in the state that has produced more Presidents than any other, the famed ancestors from Highlands and their visit in the hospital with their grandfather, and their sad farewells to a man they obviously love and respect.
Then the oldest daughter, in a soft voice, graciously deflecting all the praise put on the family for their courtesy, their friendliness and their faith, added, “would you please just say a prayer for our grandfather?” The Youth of Today
You simply don’t expect so much maturity and affection from the youth of today
“What five traditional societies tell us about parenting and children’s learning”
By Cornelius N. Grove
Published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2006
How Other Children Learn, A deep, thoughtful and provocative book that shows in detail how five traditional societies not affected by modern values and ways of life raise their children and oversee their learning. How Other Children Learn is not a book for everyone, but certainly a book to make parents think, especially in view of outrages across the country in so many boards of education today.
The five cultures are the AKA, hunter-gatherers of Africa; the Highland Peru Quechua, the Navajos, the Village Arabs of the Levant and the Hindu Villagers of India.
After depicting the impacts and the differences among the five societies, including the Navajo from the Southwest and the Cuechua from Peru, How Other Children Learn also cites anthropologists’ finds and why children in these societies willingly carry out family responsibilities.
The author concludes with several books he suggests for further reading, as well as a five page bibliography. But more importantly, How Other Children Learn ends it with the provocative question: “Can we take a step or two back, thereby releasing opportunities for our children to explore and learn on their own?
The author’s question follows his belief and documentation that today’s children have few opportunities for self-guided expression and observation…the tools each of these societies used in educating their children. He points out that even in today’s parenting, parents can and should make individual differences. His conclusion is that traditional parents parent as little as possible; modern parents parent as much as possible.
Grove concedes we do, and should shield our children from stress, danger and iniquity. But he also wonders whether we should evaluate our standards, step back and look how societies have handled that. We try to shelter our children from frustration, anger or jealousy by providing each with a trophy, regardless of whether it is earned. Is that right, he questions?
He points out areas where we believe childhood should be a time of fun, fantasy, playfulness and innocent of any cares, rather than preparing them for an adult life full of problems and situations they must face and know how to conquer. Other societies include their children in their activities, not actually involving them so much as surrounding them with adult activities, thereby enabling children to learn from observation.
Societies where the family farmed, or foraged had to include their children; today’s work opportunities prevent that. Ancient society families had foundations of many in the family and extended family; today’s parents can limit the number of children, can live far from other family members, can put their children in care centers and day cares.
Traditional societies believe in obedience, respect, fulfillment of obligations, keeping the family’s needs and desires far ahead of the individual child’s. Many families today hasten through dinner, grab something off the counter or in the car to ensure their child gets to soccer practice or dance school.
Children learn through their parents, as well as from others. They learn culture, they are not born with it.
Values are preferences so therefore are a part of culture. What a parent teaches his child about values is how he established the child’s culture. And that influences his behavior both as a child and later in life as an adult making his own cultural decisions based on his values.
How Other Children Learn is filled with information, citations, other references, great stories about five different societies, and much to think about. How Other Children Learn isn’t a book you take to peruse on the beach. But it is a fact-filled education in parenting, children’s learning, and the future as we teach our children.
Certainly worth far more than the price of the paperback version. I recommend it.
It is the oldest of all the awards presented to Armed Forces. It is also one of the most recognizable.
And in World War II alone, it was awarded to more than one million men and women from all branches of the service.
August 7 is a day set aside to honor the Purple Heart military citation.
The Purple Heart started in 1782 when General George Washington saw the need to encourage troops fighting for the country in the Continental Army. With a shortage of supplies and food, coupled with tough battles and low pay, the General felt at least recognizing valor, meritorious service and heroic actions would be a psychological boost for the fighting forces.
So the cloth purple heart, to be worn over the left breast and known as the Badge of Military Merit, was created. It was August 7, 1782.
This was something new, recognizing the service of the common soldier. At the time, most awards and medals were reserved for great commanders or national leaders.
Yet over the next 150 years, the Badge of Military Merit was apparently forgotten. Between the Revolution and World War I, only three were issued, according to federal records.
Only the Congressional Medal of Honor could be earned by soldiers and officers. And with its high standards and reasons, few could receive that. With other Allied and Axis nations recognizing their fighting forces with any number of medals for a variety of service and merit, Congress then created the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal.
But in 1932, Douglas MacArthur was the Army Chief of Staff and General MacArthur wanted more for his men. Reaching back into history, he changed the name of the Badge of Military Merit and called it the Purple Heart in a General Order 3 issued Feb. 22, 1932, the birthday of the General who had instituted it. It was to be presented for meritorious or valorous service in the US Army.
Soldiers presented with the medal during WW I had also gotten a chevron to be attached to the lower right sleeve of his uniform, one chevron for each wound. Because of the number of chevrons earned in this manner, that idea ended shortly.
By the beginning of World War II approximately 78,000 Purple Hearts were issued to US Army personnel who had been wounded, with records making it possible to site recipients as far back as the Civil War. At that time, a soldier need only apply and explain his reason for being cited.
But it was still only an award for Army soldiers.
That changed in April, 1942, less than six months after Pearl Harbor threw the United States into the War to end all wars.
The War Department saw the need to have the Purple Heart issued to service members who were killed in action as recognition of their sacrifice. Meritorious service was eliminated as a qualification for the Purple Heart, and a newly created Legion of Merit was established to honor those military.
The Purple Heart could only be awarded for being wounded or killed by enemy action.
Within months, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Navy Department to award the Purple Heart to any Navy, Marine, or Coast Guard personnel who were wounded or killed in action. He directed the award be given to those earning back dating back to December 7, 1941.
The Purple Heart is the highest award automatically given to an officer or enlisted person as soon as criteria are met, with no proposal or review. And it can be awarded multiple times for multiple wounds on separate occasions.
The Purple Heart has since been presented during Korea, Vietnam, and terrorism conflicts.
It is a vivid sign of often hidden signs of what a brave man or woman has endured for their fellow man.
The 19th annual Ms Race sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club for the benefit of 180 Turning Livesround is set for Saturday, Aug. 19 beginning at 8 a.m.
‘Women Wind Warriors’ is the theme of this year’s event, with boats of different sizes welcome with all female crews. Co-chairmen of the Ms Race are Diane Kropfl and Emily Smith, who can be reached for further information at ahyc.ms.race@gmail.com
Recognized as the leading all women’s sailing race in the state, the Ms Race is a Pursuit Race in which each boat will have its own start based on its PHRF-MA rating, eliminating any problems as the start, with smaller boats beginning first, followed by the larger, faster boats. The first boat across the finish line is the winner.
Sailors without a boat but interested in participating as crew can contact the committee at ahyc.ms.race@gmail.com for further information.
As in previous races, there will be two divisions, Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker.
The Ms. Race partners with the Atlantic Highlands Sailing Education Program (AHSEP) to include young women as crew members on participating boats. For women of all ages sailing can build confidence and self-reliance, and the goal of increasing participation of AHSEP students in the Ms. Race is an ongoing and rewarding endeavor.
A celebration beginning at 5:30 for all sailors and an awards ceremony will follow the Sandy Hook Bay race at the Yacht Club, above the Shore Casino at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor. A DJ will be present, nautical gifts will be on sale, and a raffle of a variety of items including football tickets and a 50-50 will also be featured.
180 Turning Lives Around is a Monmouth County private non-profit organization committed to ending domestic violence, providing a safe haven for its victims, and helping rebuild shattered lives. The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club has been a huge supporter of the organization and its goals since its first race MS Race in 2005; all proceeds from the race as well as associated events are given to the non-profit organization.
It was a group of women sailors who started the Ms Race in 2005 with the goal of supporting and promoting the participation of women in sailing and to benefit 180 Turning Lives Around. The New Jersey Yacht Racing Association has recognized the Ms. Race as the best women only race in New Jersey. Membership in the Yacht Club is not a requirement for participation in the Ms Race. Inquiries about membership, however, are always welcome.
For more information about the race, registration forms and photos from past races, please visit the Yacht Clubs Website
The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club was founded in 1953 and holds racing events throughout the season.
Tickets are still available for the Aug. 6 three hour cruise aboard the Navesink Queen for the benefit of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society.
The paddlewheel boat, with Capt. Dan Schade at the wheel, will leave the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor from Frank’s Pier at noon, with boarding beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Local historian Muriel J. Smith will be guest lecturer for the cruise and will talk about both legends from ghosts to ship captains as well as men and women of the Bayshore who have become legends in their own time, including actors and actresses, sports figures and American heroes of past wars.
The three hour cruise will go up the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, cruise past historic Fort Hancock and Raritan Bay.
Tickets, which are $75,, include the tour as well as snacks and lunch. A cash bar will be available for beverage purchases. No outside coolers, food or drink are permitted to be brought aboard the Navesink Queen. Tickets can be purchased on the Historical Society site, www.ahhistgory.org/gift-shop
