Both grief at the loss of a beloved Knight and the threat of heavy rain led to the postponement for a second time of the Knights of Columbus and the Borough of Highlands celebrating the Pledge of Allegiance ceremonies at the Twin Lights Sunday.
Yet the Knights of the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council put aside their grief and continued to host their Appreciation Mass and Breakfast for all veterans at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. The Knights were joined by representatives of the VFW Post 6902 of Highlands and VFW Post 2179 of Port Monmouth, together with the American Legion Post 143 in Highlands and Legion Posts 338 in Leonardo, together with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 22 of Sandy Hook and the NOSC Earle at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo.
Thomas Welch, Jr.
Veterans, Knights, and church members said prayers and remembered Knight Thomas Welch, Jr., who died suddenly four days before the Veterans event at age 34. Welch’s parents Tom and Louise, who is president of the Columbiettes, were both present for the veterans appreciation ceremonies.
Grand Knight Kevin McKenna was master of ceremonies for the Veterans Appreciation ceremonies that followed the Appreciation Mas at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and welcomed all to the ceremony, asking all to join in thanking veterans for all they have done in the service of their nation. McKenna is Grand Knight of the Council.
The Rev. Jarlath Quinn, a Knight of Columbus and pastor of the OLPH St Agnes Parish, gave the opening prayer and Faithful Admiral for the Bishop McFaul Assembly Ian McGinnis led the Pledge of Allegiances. Grand Knight McKenna also made introductions and Albert Doty, Former District Deputy and Past Faithful Navigator for the Assembly, gave the Navigator’s Message.
Ellen Williams sang a musical rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance with music written by Mike Strickland and lyrics by Francis Bellamy. The Solas Na Mara Pipes and Drum Corps of the Highlands VFW post also played God Bless America and Father Quinn offered a special blessing for all veterans.
Knights Council Past Grand Knight Mike Napolitano, who headed up plans and arrangements for the event as well as a the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Borough of Highlands, said the celebration of the Pledge of Allegiance being said publicly for the first time at the Twin Lights, together with the revision of the Pledge adding the words “under God’ at the behest of the Knights of Columbus many years ago will be celebrated at another date in the future, possibly in April. Plans will be announced when final arrangements are made.
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The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club and Sea Streak as a single proposal, filed the only bid for a five year lease on the former Shore Casino at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor.
With the date and time set for opening the bids at noon Friday, the only bid received was submitted by Brian Gillen, Commodore of the Yacht Club and opened before the public at Borough Hall.
The bid response, which was not disclosed according to state law, will now go to the Harbor Commission’s finance and lease committees headed by Michael Curry and James Krauss . Following their review the submission could be approved by the Harbor Commission and presented to the Mayor and Council for their approval at their December meeting.
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While every Democrat Congressman from New Jersey opposed the vote to re-open the Federal Government, every Republican Congress from New Jersey voted for it.
Congressman Chris Smith emphasized his commitment to ensuring government operations resume swiftly and efficiently, highlighting the bipartisan effort required to reach this agreement. He underscored the importance of collaboration across party lines to address pressing national concerns and restore stability for federal workers and citizens impacted by the shutdown.
Photo: Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press
The following is a statement from Congressman Chris Smith, former Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and the author of more than a dozen laws that aid veterans issues.
“Last night I voted for, and the House passed, critical legislation to reopen the federal government after the longest shutdown in our nation’s history…..”
“Critically, this legislation immediately reopens the government and provides $133.2 billion in full-year funding to the Veterans Administration—including $53 billion to provide healthcare, benefits, and research for veterans exposed to toxins while deployed. I find it astonishing and deeply disappointing that so many Democrats today voted against fully funding veterans’ healthcare—only one day after Veterans Day.”
Congressman Chris Smith
Smith said the bill also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the remainder of the fiscal year at the level of $107.5 billion, as well as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at $8.2 billion, an increase of $603 million compared to last year.
“This is extremely welcome news, as just last month, I cosponsored legislation—the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 (HR 5822)—to appropriate unallocated federal funds to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of benefits under SNAP during the shutdown,” the Congressman said,
Referring to new missions in New Jersey, Smith continued ““this legislation includes critical funds to upgrade and establish new missions at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the Naval Secure Test Aviation Research Hangar and the Lakehurst Air Traffic Control Tower—projects that I have spearheaded. The Lakehurst portion of the base—one of the largest employers in Ocean County—performs unique missions that provide substantial value and expertise to critical national security missions. New project funding—$5.6 million in design funding for a new state-of-the-art hangar and $3.2 million in design funding for a new air traffic control tower—demonstrate the continued value of the Navy’s presence in Ocean County and will support new naval aviation missions well into the future.
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A Funeral mass will be offered Monday, November 17 at 10 a..m at St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands for Thomas Alfred Welch, Jr., who died suddenly Friday, November 7, surrounded by his family, friends and prayer. He was 34 years of age.
Everybody knew Tom Welch, whether it was from Henry Hudson Regional school where he graduated, several different councils of the Knights of Columbus, the Bishop McFaul Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, the Atlantic Highlands Elementary school, Meridian Academy in Colts Neck, the High Road School in East Brunswick, or the Alpha School in Lakewood. He was also known at Brookdale College where he earned a Home Health Aid Certificate and had been a member of Boy Scout Troop 454 in Freehold where he was a member of the Order of the Arrow and an Eagle Scout.
He was also an integral part of forming Boy Scout Troop 926 at St. Martha’s Church in Ocean Township and a member of Middletown‘s Toop 47 when his original Eagle Advisor Ed Semple was its scoutmaster. Tommy also served as Assistant Scout Master of Navesink Troop 22 and was also an Eagle Advisor who coached ten boys to become Eagle Scouts. He also taught 10 merit badges, many which were Eagle required, and was the OA Troop Advisor.
Perhaps you only knew Tommy from his smile, his willingness to be a part of every worthwhile activity for his school, his troop, his Knights or his church. Or maybe you shared his passion for softball or any sport, or perhaps knew when he was in the Bowling Special Olympics. Perhaps you captured his smile and warmth at one of those New Jersey Devils games which he attended for eight years. Or shared stories with him about his beloved Yankees or Giants.
Whenever Tommy was involved, he was deeply involved and gave his all. That was evidenced in Boy Scouting, with attaining the rank of Eagle and encouraging others to achieve that as well, It was evidenced again in the Knights of Columbus.
Like his father, Tom, Tommy was a Knight, first in the Vincent T Lombardi Council # 6552 in Middletown, while also a 4th Degree Knight in the Bishop McFaul Assembly. As a third degree Knight, he was also in Long Branch Council # 335 and most recently the Rev. Joseph J Donnelly Council # 11660 in Highlands. In both the Councils and the Assembly, he worked his way through the ranks, becoming a warden and on various committees in the third degree councils, then a Pilot, Captain, and finally the Faithful Navigator of the Bishop McFaul Assembly #646.
Where ever you met Tommy, or for whatever else you shared with him, you knew right away that Tommy was special. Not special as with special needs, but special as with a love for all, an avid interest in everyone else, and a lifelong desire to simply help wherever he could.
His love of neighbor, family and friend was only exceeded by his love of God. That was was obvious in the faith, his perpetual desire to be where he could to bring someone else to a better life, and to teach them, as he himself practiced, an acceptance of whatever problems they faced and could not solve.
The family in particular remembered when Tommy stepped in to mentor his young cousins LJ and Kaden McKeon when their dad, his cousin Larry, passed away. It was Tommy who showed the boys how scouting, sports, school and a deeper love of God will help them accept their loss. He was also Godfather to Charles Andres Faler, another cousin.
The serious side of Tommy showed when he was working hard, when he was consumed with whatever energy was needed to complete a task, when he was helping someone with their own problem big or small. But his smile … make that his laughter … was contagious … and you couldn’t help but feel a little better and happier for having shared a Knights breakfast with Tommy, or a friendly conversation or joke.
Less than 48 hours after his death, with Tommy scheduled to be a guest speaker at the Veterans Appreciation Mass and Breakfast at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, both his parents put aside their own shock and grief and attended the program honoring veterans and Knights. “It’s what Tommy would have expected,” his mother Louise said softly, adding “of course we would be here for this important appreciation breakfast.”
In addition to his parents, Tom and Louise, Tommy is survived a sister, Michele Ann Ambrosio Mullins and brother-in-law, Curtis Mullins, his paternal Aunt Ann Welch Dimaira, cousins, Angelo Melillo, Jr., Peter Dimaira, Jennifer Dimaira, Charles Faler, Kathleen McKeon, and Dan DeLisi. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Mary and Jacob Siwiec, Anna and Anthony Ambrosio, his paternal grandparents, Bernard and Clair Welch, maternal Aunt Irene Siwiec Melillo and Uncle Angelo Melillo, paternal Uncle Frank Dimaira, and cousin Lawrence McKeon Jr.
Friends and relatives can pay their respects Saturday, November 15 from 7 to 9 pm and Sunday, November 16 from 2 to4 and 7 to 9 pm at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home 115 Tindall Rd., Middletown.
Following the mass, on Monday, internment will be at St. James Cemetery in Woodbridge.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Boy Scout Troop 22, PO Box 341, Navesink, NJ 07752,
The Rev. Joseph J Donnelly Knights of Columbus # 11660, OLPH-St. Agnes Parish, 103 Center Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716,
Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall St, Eatontown, NJ 07724 or
Barn for the Poorest of the Poor, 49 Kanes Ln, Middletown, NJ 07748
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The Live Like Amy Team is once again competing in the Navesink 5K on Sunday, November 30, and looking forward to shattering its own record for the most team members ever in the competition.
The Gill and Smith families keep alive the memory and contributions of the late Amy Lynn Gill through their Scholarship Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit foundation that annually gives scholarships to a male and a female on the Hazlet swim team for college education to honor the late Gill, who started the Hazlet swim team in 2006.
The Foundation also annually donates to the Special Olympics, another Amy Gill remembrance donation honoring the time and efforts she had made for Special Olympics. Both awards will be presented this year at the Award Ceremony Night for Raritan High School, where Gill was a teacher.
The LLAmy Team members are all encouraged to wear their LLA tee shirts for the 5K and others are also invited to wear them showing their support for the late educator and resident of the Navesink section of Middletown.
Tee shirts will be available for sale the day of the event at the LLA table, with all proceeds going to the ALG Scholarship Fund. It is not necessary to participate in the 5K, but all are encouraged to arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. for the event because of parking problems. Music and a variety of vendors make the 5K a popular and well attended event annually.
Last year’s LLA team was 156 participants strong, the record the Gill and Smith families anticipate will be broken this year with more residents of the area eager to keep up support for the scholarship foundation.
Members of the family will be handing out awards for the top three male and female winners. If a Live Like Amy team member, wearing a LLA tee shirt, wins the race overall, he or she will also receive a $200 bonus and lunch from the Foundation.
Appreciation Day at Street Kitchen & Pub, 5 Broad St., Red Bank, will follow the 5K from noon to 3 p.m., when complimentary mimosas and healthy appetizers will be available along with a cash bar and lunch.
Persons wanting to help the LLA team and unable to attend the 5K can also visit the ALG Scholarship Foundation link to learn more about the Foundation or make donations at THE AMY LYNN GILL MEMORIAL WEBSITE
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”Today, Art has more design thinking and digital art incorporated. I encourage students to experiment and develop personal expression. I teach more student-centered learning that focuses on creativity, process and critical thinking. “
Those are the words of Krista Phair, art teacher at Henry Hudson Regional High School. And that’s the reason why this vivacious and well loved educator not only enjoys teaching but also why her students eagerly look forward to her classes.
Krista has been part of both art and Henry Hudson pretty much her entire life. A native of Highlands, she graduated from Henry Hudson before going on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Georgian Court College in Lakewood, and then a master’s degree in special education from Grand Canyon University .
She said she realized early in life she had a love of art and by the age of seven, also recognized a talent for art, the first in her family, she believes, though music reigns supreme there as well.
Krista has been part of the academic staff at Henry Hudson for 12 years and now teaches Fine Arts in the 7th through the 12th grades. She pretty well loves everything about her job, but easily, “the best thing about art is the spark of creativity that enables students to show unique forms of self-expression.
Which is the reason why she likes the way art is included in curriculum today, since it caters more to a student’s creativity and self-expression than the mechanics and discipline of the art.
Krista, who , with her husband Brian, is the parent of two sons and a daughter, who range in age from 8 to 18, loves art as much as a hobby as a profession. She’s also happy that both her sons have an affinity for music, while her daughter has developed her own talent and love for art like her mom. Krista herself works in a variety of media, including watercolor, oils and stained glass and is happiest either when she is capturing a landscape or working in abstract art, when she enhances her scenes with an air of independence.
As a Highlands native, Krista also had a knowledge and appreciation of the in depth history of her hometown, from the time the Lenni Lenape were here through today when the community is celebrating 125 years as a borough. Currently, she is working on a painting of a local piece of history to enter into the Monmouth County 250th anniversary of American Independence next year.
While she appreciated the traditional techniques she herself learned using the educational methods and standards that were appropriate and educational during her own years in high school., Krista points out that at that time, “the focus was more on mastery and replication….teacher led instruction.”
Today, she believes “students enjoy art class for the process and the relaxing atmosphere.”
And there’s even more fun outside of class as well. Krista has an art club at the high school where the students go out and paint windows during the holiday season as well as murals in the community.
It will be coming soon in shops and businesses close to home. And look for some talented art work at the Proving Ground on Shrewsbury Avenue. Check it all out and see the smiles, the happiness and the skill of students honed by the talents of a Fine Arts instructor who loves her job.
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Veterans Day, the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, has been observed since President Woodrow Wilson first declared Armistice Day celebrating, like several other nations, the official end of hostilities during World War 1. That was the day and time when the agreement to lay down arms and end the war was concurred between the United States and Germany. The formal Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919.
In 1954, the name of the celebratory Day was changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans of all wars, and differs from Memorial Day in that it is designed to celebrate all veterans, living and deceased, and give them thanks for their service, dedication, and willingness to serve both in war and peace. The nation also celebrates Armed Forces Day which will next to celebrated on May 26, 2026, to honor all those currently serving in the military service.
But while celebrating Veterans Day with pomp, circumstance, parties, parades, music and sheer happiness, it should also be a time to honor the families of all those veterans.
It isn’t easy to have served in the military; whether it is at a time of war or at peace, it is still a commitment to put national service above family dedication and care. Even in peacetime it is difficult for wives and children; either they stay at home or travel to the area where their spouse is stationed. That means giving up home, friends, routines and the rest of the family to pack up, say goodbyes, leave and search out new accommodations near some military installation. For kids, it means being uprooted from friends and school and having to establish themselves in a different place, possibly a different climate, perhaps a different country, and make new friends.
For parents and grandparents, even in peacetime, it is a time of concern about their offspring. For some parents, it’s hard to believe their son or daughter can actually make it on their own, can face the world, figure their own budget, find their own accommodations, even do their own laundry without the comforts…and freedom…of college dorms and fraternities or sororities.
In times of war, there is no measuring the pain of worry and concern for a child, spouse, parent or grandparent who may not even know where their military person is serving, whether he or she is safe even if perhaps they are not allowed contact because of their location or their job.
So yes, we should honor all Veterans-on-Veterans Day and should thank everyone we see with a military cap, a Marine Corps tattoo or a sweatshirt or jacket that indicates he or she is indeed a veteran or at least loves one enough to show some patriotic pride. But it’s also a suitable time to thank their families because they, too, have made the sacrifice of loss or change in order to contribute towards the protection of the United States.
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The United States Marine Corps, the Marines, are celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding today, like the US Navy, a force of men older than the nation itself.
The Marine Corps owes its history during the centuries since its organization and official standing, thanks to President John Adams, as a corps of discipline, bravery, dedication and pride.
Tun Tavern, Birthplace of the United States Marine Corps
It was in Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, itself a piece of the colonies for centuries, that the Marine Corps’ first two battalions were formed, the birth of the Corps. Samuel Nicholas, the owner of the tavern was its first leader, so essentially, the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Major Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.
It was easy for this feisty little group to grow and get recruits. The colonies were in a war against Great Britain, and the streets were filled with thousands of young men who wanted to see the success of a new nation. Within four months, the first and second battalions were 1500 strong, and John Adams officially signed the resolution identifying the Marine Corps.
James Fenimore Cooper, author of the Leatherstocking Tales, and unofficially recognized as a historian of the Marine Corps, described this new group of fighting men as an infantry trained for land and sea, a group with esprit de corps, a group “steadfast and disciplined.”
The Corps first amphibious action was January 4, 1776, when they were aboard the Columbus sailing from Philadelphia on a secret mission. That mission, which was first planned to be sailing south to attack the British holds in the southern colonies, swiftly turned to successfully defending the colonies at New Providence, Rhode Island.
John Adams was aboard the ship, sailing with his young son, John Quincy Adams, and explained to the captain, when asked why he would be involved in battle while a sitting member of the Continental Congress, explained, “I had to do my share.”
While the Corps disbanded in 1783, and was not formally re-established until 1798, it still holds November 10, 1775, as its official birthday and continues to celebrate it with the same pomp and circumstance as it did when it started.
Pomp and circumstance which was encouraged by and supported by the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson saw the Corps as the stalwart group of soldiers fighting on land and sea that it was.
John Philip Sousa
But more than that, he saw the men as important enough to be part of every inauguration of a President. The Marine Corps formed a band in 1798, Jefferson heard it, liked it, and invited the band to play at his inauguration. He also gave it the title of The President’s Own.” Its first leader was John Philip Sousa, whose hymns and songs are still a vital part of the President’s Own, and the Marine Corps history.
It was Jefferson who sent his Marines to Tripoli during the first Barbary War when Tripolitania, the Ottoman leader, demanded payment from the United States as tribute. Jefferson refused, the Marines went in for their first battle on foreign soil since the Revolution, and the shores of Tripoli became a part of the Marine Corps hymn.
Webster officially recognizes “leatherneck” as a synonym for Marine. Why? The term dates back to an early uniform which included a stiff collar more than three inches high designed to ensure a stiff neck appearance for each Marine to enhance the appearance of military bearing. Since the stiff collar provided a Marine from having the full view and movement he needed in battle because the ‘leatherneck’ would not enable him proper movement, it was discarded by 1872 and is used only for formal dress uniform.
General Eric M. Smith is the 39th commandant of the Marine Corps
Today, General Eric M. Smith is the 39th commandant of the Marine Corps, the highest-ranking officer, a four-star General and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His duties include advising the President and Secretary of the Navy, ensuring the administration, readiness, and discipline of the more than 200,000 men and women in the Marine Corps and Reserve, Marine Corps, and has served as Commandant Since September 22, 2023, when he was appointed to the position by President Joseph Biden.
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Henry Hudson Senior Student of the Month Nathan Boms and his father Brian Boms
Students of the month for the three schools in the Henry Hudson Regional school district were honored as the last meeting of the Board of Education.
Keanu Lawrence was honored as the Highlands School Student of the month, William Gannon as the Atlantic Highlands Student of the month, and Nathan Boms received the honors as the Henry Hudson Regional student of the month.
Also honored at the meeting were the Artist of the Month Alex Belusko and Athlete of the Month Hannah Corneliusen, both at Henry Hudson
Staff Members of the Month honored include Highlands Staff Member Caroline Northrop, Atlantic Highlands Staff Member James DiLorenzo, Henry Hudson Regional School Staff Members Celia Martinez and Juan Martinez
Henry Hudson Senior Student of the Month Nathan Boms and his father Brian Boms
Son of Brian Boms and Jennifer Sincox, Boms is class president at Henry Hudson where he’s been class president since going to middle school there. In middle school, he was recognized for his leadership and outstanding abilities in soccer and baseball receiving awards in both as well as receiving the Vincent “Roxy” Finn award. This year he was named captain of the soccer team as a senior and led the division as a goalie with the most saves.
Last year he received the spark plug awards for both baseball and soccer. In middle school he was the team captain of the HHRS Odyssey of the Minds Team which won the district competition, placed in the top three teams in the state and regional competitions which earned their team a spot at the world competition. Because of Covid, there was no world’s challenge competition.
Bom is also president and a member of the High School Key Club and heads the school’s strategic planning group
He is a member of the HHRS Key Club (President), as well as the Suicide prevention club and heads the schools strategic planning group for the suicide prevention club . In February he was a participant in the Elks peer leadership program. He is a member of the robotics club and is about two 2 months away from completing his Congressional award focusing on obtaining the Congressional silver award which requires completing 200 hours in volunteer community service, 100 hours in personal development, 100 hours in physical fitness and a three consecutive day excursion all within a 12 month period.
The popular senior is currently awaiting responses from applications to University of NC Wilmington as well as SC, Clemson, Texas Christian, Universities of Charleston, Tampa and Tennessee and Ohio state.
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Students Students Students Students Students Students
Barring more inclement weather, the Knights of Columbus are continuing a celebratory ceremony honoring the 125th anniversary of the borough of Highlands, and a historic and celebratory observance of the nation’s Pledge of Allegiance Sunday, Nov. 9 at 12:30 p.m. at the Twin Lights.Rain
The outdoor ceremony, including participation by both the Highlands Elementary and Henry Hudson Regional Schools students, was postponed earlier this month due to inclement weather.
The Knights are celebrating at the Twin Lights to commemorate the fact the site was chosen for the first public recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in 1893. The ceremony will include a recitation of that pledge by VFW Posy 6902 Commander Michael Warren
Grand Knight of the Fr. Donnelly Council Kevin McKenna will give some history of the pledge and there will be a demonstration of the original pledge and salute by Sir Knight Thomas Welch, JR.
Recitation of the current pledge, which includes the words “under God” will be led by Capt. John Hayes of the Bishop McFaul 4th Degree Assembly.
President Dwight Eisenhower had “Under God” added to the Pledge at the behest of the Knights of Columbus who had worked tirelessly for inclusion in keeping with the Founding Father’s belief in God.
The Highlands Elementary School students will present a song written about the school during the mid 20th century and the Hudson marching band will make a musical presentation.
The ceremony at the Twin Lights will follow the Knights of Columbus monthly breakfast which begins at 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual School hall. Following breakfast, at 11:30, a.m. the Knights will honor all veterans of the armed forces at a special ceremony for Veterans Day to be held in the OLPH gym.
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