ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – It will be a waxing crescent moon over Sandy Hook Bay on Saturday, Dec. 31, when the Shore Casino is offering a night of fun, food, music from several well-known groups and the likes of Capt. Morgan and Jose Cuervo together with Coors, Bud and Miller to celebrate the arrival of 2023 at a gala New Year’s Eve party that begins at 9 p.m.
Shore Casino Manager Jay Strebb is promising an unusual mix of music and dinner at the event, which will include hors d’ouevres and a Pasta Station and Salad Bay menu by A Touch of Italy.
Musical highlights of the evening will be presented by Big Hix from 10 p.m. to 1 am., as well as Blue Diamond Entertainment from 9 to 10 p.m. and throughout the night between sets.
Doors will open at 9 p.m. with a cash bar until the open bar included in the ticket price begins at 10 p.m. and continues through 1 a.m. Champagne toast will be served at midnight and no shots will be served throughout the evening.
“New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate the beginning of a fresh new look at life,” said Strebb, “it’s a time to stop looking back at anything that went wrong during the old year, forget any sadness, and pin our hopes on a brighter, bigger, better New Year 2023. If I am to make one resolution for the New Year, it would be to continue to provide a great setting and outstanding culinary delights, together with live music for all our customers.” TVs will be displaying the Ball Drop in New York at midnight.
Strebb said the Shore Casino has always been the site for celebrations of all kinds, and 2023 will be no different.
The gala New Year’s Eve is planned by the Shore Casino in coordination with the Teal Cruises, also at the Municipal Yacht Harbor. Tickets are limited so guests are urged to make reservations early.
Individual tickets for this music filled night with dinner and open bar are $125 each, so early reservations are encouraged. In addition, and for a limited time only, a limited number of Special VIP Ticket for groups of at least four persons will be offered for the event at a total of $180 for each. The special table price of $180 for each person in the VIP Section includes special band-side seating with access to the band for special requests, as well as a couple more surprises that will make it an unforgettable New Year’s Eve.
MIDDLETOWN – The AAUW Book Sale will be closed for Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 24 and 26 but will be open the following Thursday, Dec. 1 for early Christmas shopping bargains.
The Sale is located in the basement of the Old First Church at 69 Kings Highway and open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for both sales and donations. For more information about this volunteer organization, visit aauw-nj-nmcb.org
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – It was a brief but meaningful ceremony at Veterans Park on First Avenue as the American Legion Post 141 celebrated at 11 a.m. on the 11th of November to honor the Armistice signing that ended World War I.
Veterans, relatives of veterans, friends of veterans and spectators who simply wanted to say thank you for military service were invited to express in their own words what the day meant to each. All also wanted to honor and thanks the first aid members, and Fire and Police Department officers for their continued service and participation in the patriotic ceremony.
Former Mayor and veteran, the late Peter Donoghue was remembered in a special way as Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner noted this was the first Veterans Day observance for which he was not present, although the late mayor’s wife, sister and grandson were all on hand to thank veterans and recognize the holiday.
Others remembered fathers or relatives, some two generations of the same family, others with special thanks for specific branches of the military.
When a mild rain began, Regina Hawley Keelan held an umbrella over the head of Daniel Kron, well-known saxophone player who began the ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner. Kron has played for the professional sports teams, the Knicks, Nets and Miami Heat, and at the borough ceremony, also played a medley of both patriotic and other music.
In welcoming the crowd under grey skies and a mild rainfall, Post Commander Peter Doyle gave startling statistics that proclaimed why celebration of the day and thanks for veterans are important on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. He noted that 16.1 million living veterans have served during at least one war and two million veterans are women. Doyle cited the 2 million who served during the Korean War and another seven million men and women who served during the Vietnam War. Since then, he pointed, out another 5.5 million veterans served in the Persian Gulf.
The commander also noted that of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, which ended in 1945, approximately 450,000 are still living and continue to deserve our praise. Thanks and admiration.
Post Deputy Commander Ellen O’Dwyer, who herself served as an Army Captain and earned the Army Commendation Medal, led the group in prayer for all military, living and dead, as well as police and all first responders.
I’m Fed Up! with how The Open Public Meetings Act is being used. That’s the law approved by the NJ Legislature in October, 1975 and in place and reportedly effective since Jan. 19, 1976. Is abused daily, at all levels of the government … from school halls … to the halls of the state house. A law created to provide transparency is used to cloak the business of the people in secrecy … from the people.
It was enacted because taxpayers were getting a bit cynical about politics in general, distrust in government and the closed door deals that rather enabled government bodies at all levels to keep secrets from the people who pay their salaries.
Known as OPRA, or the more familiar Sunshine Law, it was designed to be sure all government meetings were held in the open, consistent with public interest but not invading individual privacy.
It’s better than it was before the Sunshine Law, but make no mistake about it. It still continues to be abused every day at all levels of government.
In connection with OPRA, the Government Records Council was also established and given directions to respond to inquires and complaints about the law and to issue advisory opinions and ensure training of all government employees at all levels. It also holds meditations when there are disputes about what is allowed to be released and what can’t be, and issues rulings rather than bringing the matter to court.
It’s used at all levels of government. And it’s abused at all levels of government.
Of course there are exemptions to the law…27 of them. No one has the right to seek credit card numbers, social security numbers, or military discharge records.
Records within an attorney-client privilege status are also not open under OPRA. Neither are emergency or security information of procedures for any buildings or facility if they would jeopardize the security of the building. In actuality, there are really more than 27 exemptions. Because the last exception in New Jersey indicates that if something is exempt from the law in another state, well, it’s added to the list of exemptions here as well.
With such a long list they don’t have to show, wouldn’t you think it would be easy to show the public most of the things they ask for?
Well, that doesn’t happen either. Clerks at all levels have gotten creative in how they can deny a person’s right to information without actually denying it.
First they will tell you you’re not filling out the proper form. Not so. But it’s up to you to read the law and find out you don’t have to fill out any specific form, you simply have to be sure all the needed information is on it, name, address, specific piece of paper or record you want, and how you want to receive it.
Then they might tell you you have to be more specific in your request. So you try again with different wording. And again and perhaps again one more time.
They might tell you they don’t have the records available yet and you’ll have to wait. That isn’t so either. The law makes it clear you have the right to expect to receive what you’re asking for within seven business days.
As government employees continue to abuse OPRA, more complaints and legal actions against those abuses are resulting in more decisions in favor of getting the public more rights to know.
All Levels of Government
Writing to the Monmouth County Library Commission, for instance, resulted in a complete disregard to the request for minutes. Simply not answered.
It’s a county commission, a legitimate request, and something easy for a clerk to provide. Better yet, it could be information included on the Monmouth County Library site … But it isn’t. Why make life easy for the common serf?
The general public has no idea what happens at county library meetings.
Or take a series of requests to Highlands. I requested contracts and the costs of them; it was delayed for some reason. So I waited and then asked why I didn’t get it. It was delayed. Eventually, the Clerk provided some, not all the requested documents … and then closed the OPRA Request.
So I filed another request … again …the Clerk provided some, not all the requested documents … and then, once again, prematurely closed the OPRA Request.
Thanks to a willing administrator … I made an appointment went to Borough Hall, and not only did I receive some more of the records I requested, but also viewed some more records of interest I had not requested. Alas …as of this writing… I am still waiting for a number of items that have not yet been released.
The borough clerk in Atlantic Highlands is the most amenable and agreeable of all, doing her due diligence work and providing responses sometimes within the hour, sometimes within a day. But she always responds. Unless, of course,it’s a please for executive session minutes …
Think about that. Think about the number of times you’ve seen a governing body go into executive session to discuss specific things in private. In Atlantic Highlands, the St. Agnes School property for instance. Three and a half years of discussions and questions at council meetings, more than 30 executive sessions.
No minutes.
Why?
Those minutes cannot be released unless it is no longer necessary to keep them confidential. In this case, probably since the negotiations with the school owners and the borough are apparently still ongoing, what is said in secret must be kept secret. Let’s wait to see what happens when OPRAs are requested after all is done and over.
For that matter, have you ever seen the minutes of any executive session of County office? Ever?
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – Ignoring the fact residents have been asking for three years, and have anticipated the governing body would follow their expressed wishes for senior citizen housing, the Mayor and Council last night introduced a new development plan that, in spite of the Master Plan, would not only prohibit a senior citizen building but would also allow for construction of from 9 to 13 private family homes on the Mother Theresa School site.
What’s more, the governing body never even advised the owners of the property, the Catholic diocese of Trenton and St. Agnes School, that they were making this change while in negotiations with the church on the sale of the property.
Were it not for the astute, careful and conscientious questions of everything governmental by local resident Mark Fisher, the vast majority of residents would also not know that the “Redevelopment Plan,” Ordinance 13-2022, introduced at last night’s meeting had anything to do with the largest piece of property in the borough currently up for sale.
Immediately after introducing the ordinance, scheduled for a public hearing Dec. 15, the governing body also unanimously, adopted a resolution to refer it to the Planning Board for its review and comment to see if it is in conformance with the borough’s Master Plan.
While only formally receiving the plan over this holiday weekend following last night’s approval of the resolution to forward it, the planners have called for a meeting Monday evening at 7:30 in borough hall to consider what many believe is unalterably opposed to the Master Plan and would need to be modified by the planners in order to conform.
Should the planners accomplish all of that and return their findings and opinions to the council, council could approve the new Redevelopment plan immediately following the Dec. 15 public hearing.
In response to questions from a resident, Councilman Brian Dougherty, who sits on the planning board and appeared last night’s meeting on ZOOM, said the planners had received notice they would have the plan for review last Nov. 4.
Attorney Michael Butler, who appeared at the meeting via ZOOM and advised the governing body he is the attorney for the parish church and the diocese, requested an adjournment of Monday’s meeting since last night’s meeting was the first he saw anything about the redevelopment plan for the property, so has not had the opportunity to study it and see its impact on any sale.
While no council member would agree to contact the planning board attorney during last night’s meeting to request the adjournment, Butler said he has worked with the attorneys involved for the borough and he, along with borough administrator Rob Ferragina, would contact them with the request. Whether the meeting takes place will be advertised on the borough’s website, AHNJ.com.
It was not until all action by the governing body was taken before Fisher had the opportunity to ask a series of questions, many on the minds of the approximate 75 members in attendance either in person or on ZOOM at the meeting.
Many of the audience were present only because Fisher, through a regular e-mail he sends to those who request it, advised the public of the issues the governing body had failed to do.
In his newsletter, Fisher asked whether 9 or 13 houses be built there and whether the Hesse Center stay or go? He pointed out that “after 3 and a half years of asking about the status of negotiations, hundreds of times with the answer, “We can’t talk about it,” the secrecy, the rumors, and now it all comes down to this.” The document is actually labeled the “South Avenue Redevelopment Plan” but nobody knows what that is…”
Fisher also included directions to the full 34 page redevelopment plan. He reminded residents that everyone seemed to like the plan three years ago that included more senior units, a garden, a recreation center, a pocket park…and said, “this is where we left off three and a half years ago.”
Fisher also told his readers the proposed plan in the new ordinance simply identified as Ord. 13-2022 Redevelopment Plan, “is a middle-finger to our local seniors that want to stay in town, those who can’t afford to live in their house anymore and have no senior units available to move into.” Fisher added that “this plan is NOT what the residents of the borough were expecting.”
Fisher noted that that the 34 page redevelopment plan limits the types of houses that can be built on the individual lots, as well as the construction materials that could be used. He outlined the history since the property was first brought up at council meetings in February 2019, the number of residents who have asked questions and the 30 executive sessions Council has held concerning the tract, but supplying no information to the public. He urged the governing body not to accept the plan since “it is not what we talked about” when the public first learned the property was being sold.
Fisher also pointed out, and reiterated at the council meeting, that the ordinance if approved, gives the potential for 29 more houses to be built within three blocks of each other along the Ave D corridor, citing the McConnell/Denholtz tracts on Center Avenue.
Although the Master Plan clearly calls for a limit to “future development and population density, as well as a balance of waterfront open space and recreational activity, and ensuring investment in infrastructure that supports a sustainable pattern of land use, retaining the small town residential character of the borough,” the resolution unanimously approved by council last night said “the borough has created this redevelopment plan that would support the goals and objectives of the Master Plan.” Whether new housing on the acreage fits that description is the question the Planning Board has to consider.
Many residents spoke out against the borough’s plans at last night’s meeting, several from the area surrounding the school property that would be directly affected by new housing. Many chided the governing body, saying the news came as “a complete surprise” or “came as a shock,” or “I’m begging you to let us participate,” in complaining about not receiving information on the proposed major changes.
Long time borough resident Kate Wigginton questioned how the matter could be brought before the planning board without formal notification to the residents in the immediate area; another resident cited that six of the seven Master Plan initiatives are being violated by the redevelopment plan, another resident said in a small town friendly community such as this, neighbors talk to each other, and council should have as well.
Former Mayor Richard Stryker recalled that when the St. Agnes property was first brought out and there were recommendations for the question to go to a referendum, “we were told there was not enough time.”
Nor did any council member know the money amount the borough paid for the new redevelopment plan or when they paid it. None knew whether it was included in this month’s payment of bills, which council, minutes before, had unanimously approved totaling $1.77 million.
How can you find the information Mark Fisher so diligently researches about borough affairs?
It’s simple? E-mail ahnewsbymarkfisher@googlegroups.com and make the request. Fisher formed the site to provide information about Atlantic Highlands borough meetings and other important topics. He attends almost all council and borough committee meetings, as well as fire department and first aid events and activities, and synopsizes every council meeting after each meeting, making it easy and accurately informative reading for those who cannot attend a council meeting.
While I congratulate and welcome all the candidates in all our Bayshore towns who conducted hard working and time consuming campaigns and are now continuing to ready themselves for the hard work of municipal government after Jan. 1, I’ve already seen where Sea Bright’s winning council members are going to be spectacular, wise, open-minded and most important, eager to keep the public informed and up to date on everything that’s happening.
Sam Catalano has already proven himself on his first term on Sea Bright’s council, and the locals and newcomers know they can get honest answers when they come to him, and intense research if he doesn’t have all the information before going his opinion.. They also know he’s dedicated to keeping the residents informed on everything, whether he likes what he has to report or not.
But Heather Gorman is brand new to the Council and she had an uphill fight to get there. The Republican candidate running with Sam had great qualifications, experience, and was eager to take on the challenge. But because of her other obligations far afield from Sea Bright, it seems voters wanted someone who seemed to be closer to home more often and ready to respond when needed. Heather filled the bill and wanted to take up the challenge and independently seek election.
So I asked both successful candidates the day after election to what they attributed their success, what they did right or wrong, and what they plan to do in the next three years.
Both responded immediately to e-mails to each, and both politely declined to tell me. Both said, in different ways, they would get back to me and answer my questions…..but only after their victory was declared official and polling showed they really had won the election.
A pair of councilmembers who want to keep the public informed, but want to be sure of their facts.
Heather went a step further in describing her hesitancy in talking about the election before it was official. In a lengthy e-mail, she digressed, all the while keeping me informed of the kind of council representative she’ll be. She thanked me for my congratulations, referred me to the Monmouth County results page on NJ.com, and said “I will patiently wait until that time has come.”
But she did share her approach to her goal. She explained that since it was a community campaign, she was grateful for the mentors she had…former elected officials, long-time residents, and appreciated “their institutional and historical knowledge but more importantly their love for the old Sea Bright and Sea Bright’s future.” The result, she said, was “an awesome melting pot of neighbors (with various political affiliations) together who supported and advocated for the campaign.” She went on to praise her husband and family for giving her the support for the time she felt she needed to be highly informed, know the critical issues, and doing more than just listening or speaking out at meetings both in Sea Bright as well as other towns and boards of education.
Then she ended her e-mail with “I truly love where I live, …my neighbors, and all I hope to do is support this amazing, funky town and be of service. “
Welcome to the world of small town politics, Heather. Don’t ever lose your high standards and your willingness to cooperate, share information on what’s going on, and keeping abreast and active in whatever Sea Bright needs to keep it the small town, family-like community it is.
There is something about grandchildren that always makes grandparents happy. Whether they be newborn and adorable or grown and with lives of their own, they are truly special. And when a grandparent gets to reunite with one of them she hasn’t seen in nearly a decade, the joy is overwhelming.
I had all that and so much more in the past two weeks, when my oldest grandson, Jason, and his wife Melissa, welcomed Aria Grace, my Great Grandchild #13. Aria joined big brother and oldest grandchild, James, and sister and Cadence.
Then my fourth oldest grandson, Anthony, a highly successful manager in a highly successful business, told me he wanted to see his cousin, Brandon, and asked me to go with him, I thought life couldn’t get any better.
With my eager assent, Anthony, then took charge of my life for a week. He bought plane tickets for the pair of us, arranged the travel, picked me up and off we flew from Philadelphia Airport to Memphis, Tennessee, the closest airport to son Jimbo’s home in Mississippi. Looking forward to seeing Brandon as well as my son Jimbo and his incredibly talented and wonderful wife, Stacy, put happiness over the charts.
Brandon had lived in Highlands during his grammar school years, then moved out to Wisconsin with his mom and began a new life filled with intrigue and excitement, a lot of sadness and disappointment about being so far from his dad and the rest of the family. So after his dad and wife Stacy moved to Mississippi, far, but still closer to his New Jersey cousins, aunts and uncles, Brandon opted to drive southeast and start life anew closer to his father. We’re all thrilled by the transition and Anthony wanted to be among the first to welcome Brandon to a new life, a new job and a grand reunion with all his cousins on the east coast.
So again, a proud mom and grandma thinks life can’t get any better. But it does.
The reunion of all of us was joyous and magnificent, leaving us with the feeling we had only seen each other a few weeks or months before rather than the number of years it really was.
Celebrating our first evening together at a great Mexican restaurant , we were shocked when yet another grandson popped in at the table. My youngest grandson Angus, a Navy Ensign stationed at Pensacola, Fla for aviation training, didn’t want to miss the reunion, so he drove up from Florida to join in the fun.
We spent the next three days bringing each other up to date, enjoying the charm and creativity of Jim and Stacey’s homes. They have two, both historic structures a very historic town. They are in the process of restoring the second of them to its original beauty, thanks to their hard work ethic, research and Stacey’s incredible creativity.
We opted to stay in a B&B in town, both so I could write about it as well as to give us all a place to spread out and let Anthony practice his culinary skills. The outstanding dinner of the stay was Anthony’s preparation, with limited resources and a new kitchen, of a dinner which featured chicken cordon bleu, herbed rice and broccoli, a meal fit for a king as well as a very proud and happy grandma and two more generations of the family.
The three cousins spent the time reminding me of all the antics they pulled when they were kids in Monmouth County, letting me in on the mischief they had done and kept hidden from me, and sharing the excitements each has experienced in his teen years and 20s before getting together again. We shared opinions on politics and religion, nary a fight nor argument, simply a sharing of opinions and a bit of education for each of us.
And when it was time to get say our goodbyes amid hugs and kisses, laughter and tears, Anthony and I got back to Memphis, the plane and our trip back home, both thrilled and delighted at all we had seen and heard, shared, and did. The cousins all agreed that family get togethers are exciting, fun, educational, and should be held more often.
And now that Brandon is closer to home, we know it will happen so much more often.
“It was a great night and instead of a one vote win, this time, at a 248 vote margin, that is the most in a Mayor’s race since 2001. I’m excited to serve the Borough for another three years. “ was Mayor Carolyn Bouillon’s response when asked how she felt about yesterday’s election.
The Mayor was especially re-mindful of the first time she ran for mayor, at that time, a member of council and going up against longtime incumbent, Richard O’Neil. The vote had to go to a recount, and Bouillon won by a single vote.
Three years later with the margin so much boarder, it reminded her of 21 years ago when O’Neil ran for the position and was opposed by another native son, Joseph Branin. O’Neil won in that election, polling nearly 500 more votes than his opponent.
Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County (HFHMC) dedicated its 60th home at a ceremony last week with thanks all around for the cooperative effort, supporters and volunteers who contributed to the construction of the home on Leonard Avenue in Atlantic Highlands.
The ceremony was attended by the partner family, Habitat staff, volunteers, sponsors, local government officials and community members. The new owners are Johnny and Melinda Rivera and their three children.
Kim Stulb, President of HFHMC’s Board of Trustees, and HFHMC Executive Director, Diane Kinnane headed the brief program that accompanied the official opening of the two family house expected to be ready for occupancy this month. Stulb, a staunch supporter of affordable housing, also represents longtime Habitat sponsor, T&M Associates.
Among those attending along with the Rivera Family, were borough administrator Robert Ferragina, all six Council members, Monmouth County Commissioners Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Sue Kiley as well as Rev. Jill Hubbard Smith of Atlantic Highlands & Navesink United Methodist Church who offered a blessing on the house and a Litany of Dedication.
New Jersey Natural Gas’s Tom Hayes, a longtime ally of affordable housing and the HFHMC surprised Kinnane with a donation for HFHMC’s next project, a single family home planned for building on Ideal Ave in Middletown.
Well-wishers and community members brought gifts for the family, including gift cards, supplies for the house and yard, and an original painting of the new home by local artist, Karin Trunz of Monmouth Arts. Former Mayor of Atlantic Highlands, Rhonda Le Grice presented the family with a gift card to Jaspans Hardware Store.
“We are thrilled to be dedicating this home to such a deserving and hardworking family,” said Stulb. “Welcoming a family home and giving them a safe and affordable place to live is such an important part of our mission.”
When selected, Habitat partner families participate in the construction of their home or other Habitat programs and projects. Families are required to perform 200-375 hours of “sweat equity”, depending on family size, prior to closing on their homes. This partner family has broken all records with the number of “sweat equity” hours that they have completed. The family will purchase the home with an affordable, no-interest mortgage.
The residential lot was donated by the Borough and since the project began in September 2021, more than 100 volunteers have worked alongside Habitat construction crew to complete the house.
The new construction is part of the “House that Rock Built” program, a partnership between HFHMC and Beasley Media/95.9 Wrat. which works to secure support for new affordable home construction in Monmouth County. Thew radio station has partnered with HFHMC since 2015 in raising both funds and awareness .
Local organizations and businesses who shared time and skills to make the dream of home-ownership a reality include teams from Alternate Ending Beer, Coastal Habitat, Columbia Bank of NJ, Europastry USA, Hillmann Consulting, Markel Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Park Church, Prodigy Search, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Tower Hill Church, First Energy Foundation, Geodis, Lowes, New Jersey Natural Gas, One Anchor (Old Castle), Resources Real Estate, T&M Associates, and Valley Bank.
Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. It is dedicated to having safe and affordable homes locally and worldwide through construction, rehabilitation and preservation by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their living conditions.
MAST color guard, commanded by Cadet Sam Puleio of Tinton Falls, marches by
For anyone who has ever seen the cadets in the NJROTC program at MAST, it is easy to see why they are among the best in the nation. For anyone who has spoken with any of these high school kids about any subject from history to current world situations, it’s easy to see why they are ranked in the top ten schools in the state. And for anyone who has ever been out to Sandy Hook on a windy, blustery morning, you have an idea of how cold it is.
But today, instead of keeping my eyes on the cadets during their annual military inspection, a major event of their school year, I observed the parents.
Not only parents. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends and neighbors. Close to a thousand of them. They were all there, in place on Pershing Field long before the 8:05 am start of the cadet March onto Pershing Field.
Some were there as early as 6:30 am, wanting to be sure to get a parking spot, bring their lawn chairs and blankets, and get an up close seat for the first step of the day long inspection. Some guests had never been to Sandy Hook at all before, some had never been that far out on Sandy Hook and were amazed there is a former army base there and these kids go to school on a historic site. Some were just proud parents there because they knew how hard these kids had practiced and how important this day was to them.
Since I’ve been to these events before, and since I know some of the cadets, I knew their inspection would go fine. I knew the inspecting officer Major Jason Duehring and other Marines on the inspection team would be blown away with everything they had to observe throughout the day. And I knew that Battalion Commander c/LDR Tessa Campolattaro, that enthusiastic, smart, gentle, wonderful Rumson resident who takes such pride in her work and her position as the head of the Battalion Chain of Command at MAST, would not settle for anything less than perfect in her Command. I also knew she had reason for such confidence. I knew Deputy Battalion Commander c/Lt. Jimmy Treshock had standards just as high…these cadets don’t get these positions simply by being nice kids. And I knew each of the other battalion officers, from the Command Senior Chief and heads of administration, operations, supply, training, drill, academics, athletics orienteering and community affairs through each of the four company’s officers were just as proud of their commands, their attention to detail and their desire to do the right thing. So I knew they would ace any inspection.
Major Duehring inspects Cadet Alexis Walker of Fair Haven, the Battalion Operations Officer, as Battalion Commander Cadet Tessa Campolattaro of Rumson and Cadet Catherine Lopes of Ocean, assist
So it was the parents and friends I wanted to observe.
As they gathered, almost 1,000 in all, overflowing the bleachers and carrying their own chairs and blankets against the wind spinning off the ocean and onto the parade grounds of the historic site, they chatted, they laughed, they shivered, they swapped stories, they made new friends. They called to each other and laughed loud and happy. It was obvious they all wanted to be there.
Suddenly, the word passed. The cadets were coming. They had formed along MAST way two blocks away five minutes before, and now it was time for them to make their appearance.
They came in at the start of the field behind the bleachers and crowds facing there the rest of the action would be taking place.
And a sudden hush fell over the crowd. Those in their lawn chairs and those in the bleachers stood up, turned around, and quietly, almost respectfully and in a bit of awe, watched as some almost 300 young teenagers in crisp and perfect uniforms and shiny black shoes, marched to a drummer to begin their first inspections of the day. There were cameras clicking, tears being wiped from proud eyes, and eager eyes searching for a particular cadet son or daughter. But there was absolute silence. Not a word was spoken as each adult captured his own vision of the young men and women who will be leading our country in a few years. This was a crowd in awe.
Once the line of march passed and entered onto the middle of the field, the crowd turned forward once again and watched as each company lined up, its commanders shouting out orders, probably some parents particularly of daughters surprised at the tone and level of their “officer voices.”
Then came the Official Party, the inspecting officers and Cdr. Tracie Smith-Yeoman, and the National Anthem was sung by a cadet corps. Every man removed his hat, every person stood at attention, veterans and relatives saluted or put their hands over their hearts. The National Anthem really means something to these people who were gathered here.
Major Duehring addressed the cadets briefly…the program only allowed five minutes for his presentation. But he took the time to tell these kids that he knew he had not seen any inspection yet, but already “what I’ve seen already “ was awesome, and that’s why a visit to MAST each year is “always the highlight of my day.”
Cdr. Smith-Yeoman spoke for her five minutes. She already knows how great her cadets are, but she wanted to take some time at first to recognize the Marines and Marine veterans in the audience…after all, today is the 247th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps. Then she wanted all the veterans in the audience to stand so they could be acknowledged, reminding everyone that Veterans Day, in two days, honors them as well. She thanked them all to the sound of great applause, and went into the crowd to shake the hands of those she could reach, and thank them once again for their service. The retired Naval officer then thanked parents and praised them for the excellence they had given their children. She praised all units, but especially the freshman cadets for coming through Covid, changing schools, adjusting to NJROTC and being prepared totally for the most important inspection of the year two months after first arriving at MAST. She credited the upperclassmen for inspiring the freshmen with their own attention to the honor, courage and commitment that are such a part of MAST’s culture. The crowd applauded for principal Earl Moore and his constant and consistent support of the NJROTC program at MAST which includes every student at the Monmouth County Vocational High School at MAST.
The crowd remained respectful, happy, and anxious to see their special cadet or cadets….some at MAST are siblings or cousins also students there …and watched in absolute awe as the drill team gave its dynamic demonstration of precision, dexterity, and weapon handling.
At the final Pass in Review, when each company presented itself to the Inspection Team, cameras clicked, pride showed, tears were wiped, and parents and friend waved and acknowledged their special cadet, knowing they would get no response from a cadet intent on performing his duty.
When the program was over, precisely 55 minutes after it began, the cadets marched off field and down MAST Way, this time followed by friends and family who knew they would not have a chance to talk to their cadet, but wanting to watch them for the last possible minute before going to their cars and heading home.
The battalion stands in formation on Pershing Field, in the shadow of Building 23, the barracks built in 1899 that is to be converted into the MAST Naval Science building, complete with classrooms, locker rooms, office space, and a drill deck on the second floor
The cadets went on to their other duties for the day, Supply Officer c/LTjg V Walker ready to have her Supply station inspected, and shortly after, all cadets prepared for their personnel inspections three hours later. They would not hear again from Major Duehring until the end of the day when they would get some idea of how they fared.
To the parents, it had already shown.
Patriotism and pride in the United States is alive and well at MAST and with their families
First platoon of Headquarters Company, commanded by Cadet Alex Bruzzese of Hazlet, marches past the reviewing stand with Cadet Jake Lindmark of Atlantic Highlands carrying the guide.
All Photo’s Courtesy of Credit to Cadet Olivia Palutis
