Family, friends, other relatives and former classmates honored 550 named former Mater Dei High School students as well as all other faculty, administration and graduates who have died in a special Mass of Remembrance held Saturday at St. Mary, Mother of God Church in New Monmouth.
The 550 named deceased is an increase of 43 over those named in the memorial mass last year.
The Reverend Jeff Kegley, pastor of St. Mary’s was celebrant of the mass with Kerrin McCarthy Regan., Class of 2011 the cantor.
The Memorial Mass and remembrance are an annual event at St. Mary’s, organized, planned and arranged by a team of graduates led by Mari Campanella Kovach, class of 1978, Tom Dooley, class of 1965, and Cathy Daniels, Class of 1979. The trio has been coordinating the program since it started and names each of the deceased from 1965 to the present.
Family, friends and former graduates came from throughout New Jersey as well as New York, Pennsylvania and Maine to pay their respect to the deceased, some of whom passed before graduation with their class, others as recently as this year.
Steve McCarthy, class of 1974 and Kovach did the readings during the Mass and Deacon Marty McMahon served as Deacon and read the Gospel, Organist was Diane Testa.
Each of the names in the Necrology, which were read before the final prayers of mass, by administration, family, faculty or classmates. They included John Anderson, administration, Kovach, Sister Patricia Russo, faculty, Dr. Ken Dugan, ’65, Daniels, ’79. Ellen Poole, ’72, Muriel Smith, mother of Kathy Smith Palamara, ’74, Jim Keating, ’76, Christopher Begley, ’78, Bill Stefanski, ’84 andDooley,’65. Sister Patricia Russo, former faculty member both at Mater Dei and St. Agnes School in Atlantic Highlands, came from Buffalo, NY and presented the gifts, along with Muriel Smith. Steve McCarthy, ’74 and Begley, ’78, were Eucharistic Ministers.
Among the more than 125 faculty members remembered in the Necrology were Monsignor Robert T. Bulman, the school’s Founder, Mother Bede Loob, the founding principal, and principals through the years The Rev. William Lynch, John V Lonergan, Sister Mary Hugh, Frank Poleski, and Frank Outwater. Among the Sisters of St. Francis, who have staffed the school since it opened, were Sister Catherine Tronolone, Sister Clara, Sister Clarinda, Sister Jeanne, Sister Johnathan, Sister Joseph, Sister Dolores, Sister Donald, Sister Marchan, Sister Marie Dvis, Sister Nancy, Sister Patricia Garner and Sister Patricia Haly, Sister Doreen, Sister Rose Marie, Sister Rosemary, Sister Salesia and Sister Seraphia. Also included was former history teacher, Thomas C. Murray, who was the founder of the Memorial Program and inspiration for Kovach. Dooley and Healy to continue it annually. The most recent class who lost a member was 2015, and Rueban Rodriguez was included in the Necrology.
The mass concluded with the congregation praying the Prayer of St. Francis of Assiss together in honor of the order of Sisters who taught in the school.
A social gathering with light refreshments was held at St Mary’s following the Mass, thanks to the hospitality committee led by Cathy Daniels, Ellen Poole, and Maria Miele Skribner, class of 1983, all graduates of Mater Dei.
Anyone wishing to provide updated information to the Mater Dei High School/Prep Memorial Necrology, or want to actively participate in next year’s celebration should email Kovach at deckhill@comcast.net. Classmates, friends and relatives are invited to include or update information and urged to plan on attending the mass and memorial in September 2026.
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Rear Admiral Pottenburgh presents the Distinguished Unit Award to Senior Naval Science Instructor Senior Chief Mike Vaccarella, Battalion Commander Cadet Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Billows, and MCVSD Superintendent Dr. Charles Ford, Jr. Photo by c/SN Margaret Parker
Rear Admiral (lower half) Matthew Pottenburgh, Commander of Naval Service Training Command, visited the Marine Academy of Science and Technology’s Navy Junior ROTC unit at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook. September 16, and toured the campus before meeting with cadets.
After touring the historic campus, Battalion Commander Nicholas Billows, Oakhurst, briefed the admiral on MAST students’ accomplishments, including their outstanding academic achievements, thousands of community service hours, and the high number of graduates earning appointments to federal service academies and ROTC scholarships.
Rear Admiral Pottenburgh, who oversees Recruit Training Command, Officer Training Command, NROTC, and NJROTC, was accompanied by NJROTC Area 2 Manager retired Navy Commander Eric Humphreys, and Command Master Chief Andrew Hochgraver, the senior enlisted leader of Naval Service Training Command.
Welcomed by all 276 cadets of the MAST unit, the Admiral described it as “one of the most prestigious units in the country.” He specifically praised the 7,180 community service hours performed by cadets during the 2024–2025 school year, and he commended the supportive MCVSD board, school administration, and Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
The visit included a lively question-and-answer session. Cadets asked about the admiral’s career as a P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon pilot, as well as about the NROTC scholarship program and federal service academies. Rear Admiral Pottenburgh, an NROTC graduate of Ohio State University, shared both personal experiences and official guidance with students considering military service.
The Admiral also presented the Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors ribbon to MAST for the 41st consecutive year. This recognition, awarded to only the top 10% of over 600 NJROTC units worldwide, reflects excellence in graduation rates, academic achievement, and participation in NJROTC events.
In addition, several cadets received individual honors:
Cadets of the Quarter (Q4, 2024–2025): Daniel Chiu (Edison) and Abigail Reilley (Little Silver)
Honor Cadet Ribbons (highest Naval Science grades): Leila Brown (Manalapan), Nicholas Amey (Keansburg), and Nicholas Billows (Oakhurst)
Top Community Service Hours: Juliet Ginda (Middletown, 113 hours), Zachary Clifton (Lake Como, 124.5 hours), and Radhika Sandeep (Marlboro, 119 hours)
Highest Cumulative Academic Achievement: Andrew Viggiano (Ocean), Nia Suresh (Ocean), and Quinn Pappas (Tinton Falls)
The Marine Academy of Science and Technology is part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District. For more information, https://www.mast.mcvsd.org/o/mast
Information for this news release was provided by NJROTC Cadet Laila Caramanica of Ocean Township
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Sea and Sand … It’s the crisp whiteness of the building, coupled with the gorgeous array of fall flowers in the garden in front that first grabs your attention.
Once inside the foyer, it’s the rose petals and candle in water on the table, and the soft music welcoming you to a terrific restaurant that makes you want to go inside.
Once inside, it’s the smiling faces and warm welcomes of any of a number of different members of the staff, the spotless tablecloth covered tables and the soft lighting that all make you happy that you stopped in. There are even comfortable rooms in front of the fireplace if it’s necessary to wait for a table or an order pick-up.
Sea and Sand Restaurantopened last week on Bay avenue in Highlands and already, this India Fusion restaurant is making its mark in the culinary skills world.
Sea and Sand is more than an Indian restaurant, it’s a fusion restaurant , meaning the menu is crammed full of a variety of tastes, blending the elements, tastes and produce of culinary traditions from all over India, north and South. That means it blends spicy and mild, cheeses and yogurt, meats grilled and baked.
It’s a large menu at Sea and Sand and cleverly written to be fun to read as well as tempt your taste buds. Best to get an order of Naa or roti, flatbread that can either be plain or soaked in butter, garlic or cheese. To start and relax and really pore over the menu. Divided for ease in choosing as well as clever, the large variety of offerings are listed under “the First Sip” or Crunch to Conversation” for appetizers, or soups, or In Crust we Trust for naans and roti . A variety of rice, its own, with lamb, chicken or more are all listed under Grains of Glory and some of the main courses are listed under Meat the Heat, from Farm to Flame, or Grill ‘me all. If you’ve room for dessert, you find them under Happiness Served Last .
The grilled meats are fantastic, served on grills so hot that you can hear the sizzling a long time after you’ve been presented with your entrée, along with a dinner platter and even tongs for transferring your meat from gill to dinner plate. (more fun, if you’re careful not to touch the grill, is picking up perfectly seasoned lamb chops directly from the grill and sampling the cabbage slaw with onions on which the chops rest.
Although the menu is heavy with chicken, lamb, goat, beef, and both rice and vegetarian dishes, this is the Shore, its name is Sea and Sand, so naturally there are several seafood entrees as well. Salmon with yogurt and Indian spices is only $24, Goan Curry is fish of the day marinated in lemon and cooked in a rich coconut or there’s also Shrimp Goan Curry marinated in lemon and soaked in coconut sauce. The Shrimp Dum Biryani might be my choice on my next visit; a combination of prawns and saffron basmati rice cooked with whole spices.
While Sea and Sand does not yet have a liquor license, they certainly don’t mind your bringing your own until that next phase of their thriving business kicks in. But their beverages are unique in this area, and tempting. The Mumbai Masala Charis a $5 tea made with aromatic Indian tea leaves. And their Virgin Mojito is a tasty blend of fresh mint, lime juice and sparkling water. Or there’s s Mango Lassi, a sweet mango pulp blended with creamy yogurt and a touch of cardamom. Complete with ice cubes and a straw, it’s smooth and refreshing
Prices are more than reasonable in this day when every restaurant is raising its prices and most entrees in many hover in the $34 to $50 range. At Sea and Sand, the vast majority of entrees are in the $18 to $28 range, and the desserts, should you have room, are $6 and either ice cream, friend dumpling or cottage cheese balls in a sugar syrup, definitely a distinct change from desserts elsewhere. There’s also a dessert platter with an assortment of what the chef says are the best Indian sweets around.
There’s plenty of diversion in Indian cooking, and Sea and Sand seems to cover it all. They’re open seven days a week, from 10:30 every morning, until (9:30 every night from Monday through Thursday, and until 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They do a great take-out business as well, and can be called in advance for reservations or takeout at 732-204-2173.
Want to know another remarkable thing about this newest restaurant in the Bayshore! There’s plenty of parking in the restaurant’s parking lot just behind the restaurant.
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“When she sees a problem, she digs down to the base of it, then works to get it corrected” was what one resident said at a gathering of residents at a home in Water Witch. Property owner had asked Mayor Carolyn Broullon to attend, meet some residents and be prepared to answer questions.
She did and she was. Questions ranged from information on any proposed development of the former Shadow Lawn Trailer Park property to what some flood insurance companies cancelled flood insurance even though the house was raised 11 feet.
There were also questions about what’s going to happen to youngsters in school if we don’t join with another group and ensure there’s room in classrooms for the future. How are taxpayers going to continue to pay the high taxes for education?
Many of the residents who attended the impromptu session which also included crudites and appetizers from the owner’s garden along with soft drinks and apple cider have only been residents for ten years or less.
Some say they were drawn to the town by its friendliness, its natural beauty, and in the most recent years, the way it has been governed. One resident spoke on bringing a problem to the mayor concerning a situation in the road he could not get resolved. He said she had assured him she would see what she could do, and he continued, “the next day, it was resolved.” The mayor had made a call to Monmouth County, responsible for the problem, he explained, and the County responded right away. “All it took was her calling and telling them there was a problem,” the resident said.
In response to a complaint that one couple’s flood insurance had gone up despite having raised their house, Broullon promised more investigation and also referred the property owners to other sources that might be able to assist.
In response to what has been done since she was mayor, Broullon pointed to the number of grants she has sought and secured, improvements that have been made to streets and sewer systems, and her dedication towards ensuring the public has a right to be heard. As one example, residents in this borough were given the opportunity to vote their preference for school regionalization with Sea Bright, something denied to residents of Atlantic Highland.
“Highlands has flourished in the wake of the Covid-19 Epidemic,” Broullon said, noting that property values have nearly doubled from $737 million in 2020 to $1.349 billion in 2025. This is the 6th year in a row where tax rates will either be lower or remain steady, she said.
As for the future, the incoming Mayor said she will continue to work on open spaces and infrastructure upgrades throughout the Borough, will continue to urge residents to be involved in the process. She said her history both as a councilwoman and as mayor have already proven her commitment to communication, openness, respect, and ensuring the public always has the right and means to express their opinions.
She challenged the guests to check out all her sources of communication, from the official borough website to Facebook Instagram and Twitter. In asking the guests to vote for her to keep her in office, or communicate with her if the have further questions, she said “Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to get it done together,” citing the motor of her campaign, “we’re all in this together.”
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As the daughter, sister, mother, wife, and grandmother of many men and women who have served in the military, I was concerned about the attacks being made on Mickie Sherrill, a graduate of the US Naval Academy, a trained helicopter pilot for the Navy, a Congresswoman and a mother herself.
But the more I learned about her, the more distressed I became. And as the mother of two Marines and one Naval officer, now a retired Commander who was a diver in the Navy, and grandmother of another Naval officer, a lieutenant who is now a Naval helicopter pilot, I became more distressed that Rebecca Michelle Jason Hedberg, a 1994 graduate of the US Naval Academy, was now bringing shame and dishonor on herself and the Naval Academy.
Despite the inference showed on her FaceBook page Sherrill did not walk with her graduating class in wake of Navy Academy cheating scandal. Her Quote “#ThrowbackThursday to my Naval Academy graduation. Annapolis has a focus on learning, discipline and – above all – integrity. They’re values I’d be proud to carry to Congress for #NJ11”
Admittedly, I should have realized the Congresswoman can’t stand up to tough situations. She left the US Navy in 2003… she, a helicopter pilot in the Navy, leaving the military less than two years after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center, a time we were at war with Afghanistan.
In view of the most recent news, I find it ironic that Sherrill was not allowed to walk with her class to receive her diploma because she had failed to report when she knew classmates were involved in, what turned out to be the biggest scandal ever to hit the Academy. Her complaints today focus on the fact opponents used whatever means to get information on her Academy chastisement and reported it!!!! In short, an opponent found someone who was found guilty of doing something wrong and reported it.
So I reached out to a Naval Academy graduate to get a fresh perspective on why exactly should one classmate squeal on another? Or why some classmates were allowed to attend the ceremony yet she was not? Might the Navy have two standards,, I asked.
Steve Boracchia as a United States Naval Academy Midshipman
Steve Boracchia of Atlantic Highlands is also a US Naval Academy graduate, class of 1983. He was commissioned a a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps where he flew CH-53 Sea Stallions , a heavy-life transport helicopter for the Marine Corps. He served from 1983 until 1990 and left with the rank of Captain. He also was involved in politics; though not at Sherill’s level, he was an elected councilmen in Atlantic Highlands.
Boracchia was not eager to berate or condemn a fallow Naval Academy grad.
“If she chose to counsel those who she knew that were cheating, she would have been OK,” the former Marine Corps officer said. “But she didn’t.” Still, he said, “I noticed that some grads are coming to her defense.”
Former Atlantic Highlands Council member Steve Boracchia
Boracchia explained the well known and highly respected honor code of all the military academies, and specifically at the Naval Academy. “The honor code required you to not lie, cheat or steal and if you had a classmate lying, there was an opportunity to counsel the person. If you thought they were sincere after counseling, you could let it go. “
“I am wondering where all the Naval Academy graduates are coming to her defense,” he asked? “They may be there, but not as yet. It’s hard to defend her in this situation,” he continued, adding, “I do believe her service in the Navy after graduation is honorable and a separate issue.”
But when questioned further, Boracchia conceded, “Her history seems to show more lapses in leadership and self-promotion. She was clearly moved along for a reason, openly accepting all the policies of the left and she appears to be a big progressive while at the same time promoting herself as a moderate. She is a loyal party member in that regard.”
From what he has read about Sherrill’s recent news, “there’s no mention that she counseled anyone just that she looked the other way … that is a violation,” the former Marine officer said. ” What’s more concerning to me is that she has a history of doing what’s right for herself and not necessarily for the public. That is, she used her office when she got to Congress for insider trading while sitting on a committee that gave her insightful information while trading defense stocks.”
“The fact that it’s legal for Congress to do that ( and that needs to change), and she was so egregious in her conduct that she still got fined and called out for it tells me there’s a serious character problem,” the former councilman/Marine said.
Using the opportunity to ensure I understand the military Academy standards, Boracchia said “The Academy, Navy and the Marine Corps as you know, emphasize leadership. Leadership is doing what’s right regardless of the consequences to yourself. Granted we’re not all perfect in that, but that’s what we aspire to. In her case, she took the phrase “public service” and turned it into “the public serves us” when she used her congressional position to enrich herself while none of her constituents had that same ability. She could have set the example and promoted the end of insider trading among Congressional members, but instead she relished it and made herself rich,” he conclude.
Continuing to point on the gubernatorial candidate’s more recent actions rather than her disappointments at the Academy, Boracchia said “ Her history would probably show more lapses in leadership and self promotion. She was clearly moved along for a reason, openly accepting all the policies of the left . She appears to be a big progressive while at the same time promoting herself as a moderate. Kind of others we know!,” he concluded, not alluding to any specific persons.
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Always so many great things that keep me happy, and seeing how excited local people are getting over the Knights of Columbus and the borough celebrating the borough’s 125th anniversary at the Twin Lights is just one of them . Great to see the enthusiasm of the committee putting together the October 12 celebrations at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Borough Hall and the Twin Lights and hearing all the ideas coming out of a committee that represents just about every club, organization and historic and beautification group in the borough.
Cheers to Mike Napalotino for the idea and inviting everyone to join in and celebrate. It will be great to see the flag the Knights designed and are presenting to the borough to honor its’125th anniversary.
Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon
Great thinking on the part of Mayor Broullon to arrange for a shuttle so folks who don’t want to, or can’t drive or get to the Highlands Day events going on this weekend at the Community Center. The Shuttle is making several stops through town and offering the service both to and from the Community Center several times throughout the 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.event. Sounds like the Community Center is going to be filled with lots of great music, great food, and happy people celebrating, and thanks to the mayor’s advance planning so many seniors who otherwise would not be able to get there can now participate. It’s an annual even but this year’s sounds better than ever!
Also great to see a hard working Public Works Department. Spence Carpenter had his team out early posting signs and beginning to paint striping and parking places along Shore Drive from Miller to Bay, Avenues. To those of us who remember that was all once the Jersey Central railroad tracks it’s especially great to see how well kept the road is. Nice to see how the borough also sweeps all its roads on a regular basis, including Bay Avenue which, as a county road, the county should certainly be doing. Thank a Public Works employee next time you see one.
Also thrilled to see the heightened interest in the history in and around the borough of Highlands, not only in anticipation of the 250th anniversary net year but also because of the borough’s 125th. Jo-anne Olszewski and her hardworking and very enthusiastic team are putting together a smashing musical which is bound to garner attention far beyond Highlands. Hear Cranston Dean has lots more talent in music besides the rock and classic music his band is known for.
If it sounds like there are a lot of things about Highlands that make me happy, then you get the message! Though not a native myself, I certainly knew a good thing when I got married and my husband introduced me to all the great things about his hometown. These are memories never to be forgotten…. best place in the world to raise our family!
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Whether you are preparing yams or sweet potatoes, it’ s easy enough to use the same recipe for either. And the difference result in taste is one that only the most astute gourmet could detect..
But make no mistake about it, there is a difference between the two vegetables. In fact they aren’t even related. They’re not even in the same plant family! Sweet potatoes are grown from plant vine cuttings called slips, and yams are tubers, and grown from pieces of tubers.
Besides that, yams aren’t as sweet as sweet potatoes, and have a bit of a firmer texture, so when they’re cooked, they don’t feel as mushy as sweets. They’re more dry and starchy like russet potatoes.
What these two vegetables have in common is they are both grown in the ground, and both can be used in the same recipes.
If you’re interested in trying some of each, perhaps making two different dishes the same day, one with sweets, the other with yams, it’s a fun experiment.
You can generally get both at the Waterwitch Grocer and Gourmetat 69 Waterwitch Avenue, in Highlands, across from Huddy Park. The shop, where the owners are gardeners and well know the difference between yams and sweet potatoes, generally has both and can offer suggestions on cooking each.
Plus, Waterwitch Grocer and Gourmet has a large supply of all the fresh herbs you might want to try as well. Currently, there’s a great supply of fresh ginger in the shop, and that’s an herb that is terrific in anything from stews and casseroles as well as teas and marinades. The y have fresh turmeric s well, and both herbs have wonderful stories and can be used in delicious teas. But that’s another story.
Sweet Potato/ Yams with Pecans
3 lb sweet potatoes or yams
1 ½ Cups pecans, broken into pieces
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. cayenne
3 tsp. roughly chopped fresh rosemary
3 tbsp. maple syrup
Heat oven to 425°F. Prick sweet potatoes /yams with fork, place on plate and microwave on high 6 minutes; turn each potato over and cook until soft, 6 minutes more. Let stand until cool enough to handle.
Meanwhile, on rimmed baking sheet, toss pecans with oil, then Parmesan, cayenne, 2 teaspoons rosemary and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt. Roast until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Toss with remaining teaspoon of rosemary.
Peel potatoes and mash with maple syrup and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt until smooth. Transfer to serving dish and top with pecans.
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Honor As the Reverend Joseph Donnelly Council of the Knights of Columbus leads a series of events Sunday. October 12, honoring the 125th anniversary of the Borough of Highlands, it is interesting to see how many stories of heroism, growth, expansion, literature,
recreation, achievement and so much more are all part of the history of the borough.
In a series of articles before Sunday, October 12. Veni Vidi Scripto will highlight many
stories from many different points of view.
The knights are honoring the borough throughout the day, beginning with their regular monthly 8:30 a.m. breakfast at OLPH school hall, Mass at 9:30 a.m. followed by a ceremony at Borough Hall where the Mayor will raise a flag specially designed by and presented by the Knights, and then to the Twin Lights where the pledge of allegiance was recited for the first time in public.
The day will also honor the fact that the words “under God” were included in the pledge following a campaign by the Knights which led to President Dwight Eisenhower signing the resolution which made the words Under God officially part of the original pledge.
One of the heroes of Highlands who had a direct connection with the Twin Lights,
Highlands, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church was Chief Robert Blume, a Medal of
Honor recipient in 1898 and later a lighthouse keeper at the Twin Lights. His family lived
at the lighthouse and his daughter was baptized at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
This is his story from my book, the ABCs of Highlands…”B is for Bravery.”
The wording on the citation is plain, simple and direct. In less than 35 words, it synopsizes the several early morning hours when Seaman Robert Blume and 25 other sailors and a handful of Marines put their lives on the line.
The citation reads:
On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, he set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
There is are identical citations for 26 others, sailors like Blume and Marines. They were part of the crew aboard the USS Marblehead who together with the 26 men from the Nashville, received Congressional Medals of Honor during the Spanish American War. It remains the only day in American history when 52 Medals of Honor were presented.
Robert Blume is Highlands’ only Medal of Honor recipient. The son of German immigrants, he was a fighter, a heavy drinker, and in between stints with the Navy, a Highlands resident and lighthouse keeper at the Twin Lights. He was also a man who could easily put both drinking and fighting aside and be the first to come forward when there was a need for help.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, three years after the end of the Civil War, he was six months and 16 days short of his 30th birthday on July 16, 1897 when Robert Blume enlisted in the United States Navy. It was three months since the sinking of the Battleship Maine and after the war between Spain and the United States over Cuba began. It was a short war, and the Treaty of Paris was signed 109 days after Blume enlisted.
Blume never went to school, but he could speak English, read, write and was healthy. He enlisted in Pittsburgh, the only place he had ever lived; for reasons still unknown, his enlistment in the US Navy is credited to New Jersey. At the time of his initial enlistment, he was described as being 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with brown eyes, dark brown hair, and a ruddy complexion. He also had a port wine stain on his left cheek.
Newspaper reports, official logs, and the men themselves tell the whole story of
the Battle of Cienfuegos.
As planned and agreed upon by Captains McCalla and Maynard of the USS Marblehead and USS Nashville, Blume was one of the volunteers who signed on for the unique mission, one so dangerous the captains had agreed, would only be carried out by those who willingly offered to take on the duty.
As arranged, the men from each of the two Navy vessels, Blume among them, left their ships shortly after 5 a.m. on May 10, 1898. They loaded into a steam launch and were taken closer into the harbor where their small sail boats would be dropped from the launch.
Their mission: dredge up and cut the communications cables running out of Cienfuegos, connecting communications for the Spanish on land with their ships at sea.
The men had already been advised the guns of the Spanish enemy on Cienfuegos would be active and the US Navy would be forced to respond to that activity… directly over the small boats filled with these brave volunteers. The captains also let their men in on another secret: to the best of their knowledge, nothing like this had ever been tried before. And what’s more, they didn’t know whether it could be successful.
The plan was for 12 Marines to be among the 52 volunteers to accompany the small boats in order to draw enemy fire from them and return fire as necessary. Blume’s shipmate, Marine Sgt. Philip Gaughan, was assigned to head the Marines and guards; another shipmate, Austin J. Durney, the ship’s blacksmith, was assigned to figure out how to cut through the tough communications cables.
The Marblehead’s blacksmith, Joseph E. Carter, was assigned the same duty.
The sailors didn’t mind the rough waters they faced in their little sailboats. But they were wary of the floating mines in the water in which they would be working. They all knew those mines could be detonated by the flip of a switch on shore. They were also aware of the huge rocks along the shore and the rough water that could dash their boats into them. And they could hear the guns from their own ships rising to action to protect them by aiming at the shore positions of the enemy.
It wasn’t long before the Spanish military realized the gunfire from the sea was not to provide cover for a beach landing; once they saw the sailors dropping grappling hooks, they got the idea something else was being attempted, something they had never before seen. Yet they knew it wasn’t going to be good for them.
So the barrage of gunfire from the cliffs to the water below, aimed at the small boats filled
with brave men, began.
The Marines in their launch boat were quick to react, and nine Spanish soldiers fell to the ground. Next target was the shack housing the switch for the mines. The Marines leveled it.
At the same time, the sailors were successful in hauling up one cable on the bow of their boat; Durney, the blacksmith, began trying to cut through it. He was less than 60 feet from shore, enemy shot was hitting the boat, more fire was coming from the lighthouse, and Durney tossed down his tools and picked up a hacksaw.
He knew it was the only tool that could slice the cable. He sliced and cut for more
than an hour.
Meanwhile, Sailors on the Marblehead’s boats were doing the same thing with the cable they had lifted.
One of the boats was hit by small arms fire, creating small holes below the waterline. Marines used bullets to patch the holes, then continued their firing at the enemy. As one Marine from the Marblehead told it later on, “Large shells dropped around us, nearly lifting us out of the water. Shells from our own ship and the Spanish batteries passed overhead.”
But the Marines and sailors stayed their course, the Marines protecting the men in the small boats cutting cables. The Nashville and Marblehead continued trading fire with the enemy on shore. Captain Maynard sustained a gunshot wound and had to be relieved. First Lieutenant Albert C. Dillingham took command of the Nashville.
Diligent and working as quickly as possible under fire, the sailors managed to cut through one cable, and one of the Marblehead boats towed the severed half out to sea. But first, they cut it again, just to make it more difficult to reconnect should the cable be found and raised by the Spanish.
Gunshots continued from the shore; one of the sharpshooter Marines was struck, his jaw shattered; he was struck again, this time with a bullet that entered his head and exited behind his ear.
Still in their boats, the men were successful in cutting through the second cable, then decided against continuing activity on a third, smaller cable, confident they had accomplished their mission. They were badly beaten by weather, rough water and firing all around them; their boats were all but sinking, and the enemy was homing in on them even closer.
It was time to leave.
Lt. Dillingham, on the bridge of the Nashville, recognized what was happening, and immediately turned his ship towards shore, making the broadsides a target between the enemy and the boats heading back to the ship. It was yet another risk, one never taken before. But the young officer felt it was essential in order to save the lives of the returning seamen.
There were wounded, many of them. They were rushed aboard their ships and given immediate medical attention. Though many endured later hospitalizations, surgeries, and long years of recovery, there wasn’t a single sailor or Marine lost in the Battle of Cienfuegos.
Medals of Honor were issued to each of the 52 men. For the 12 Marines who received the Medal, it remains the only time in American history that number Marines were honored on a single day in a single act of bravery.
For Seaman Blume, the 30-year old German immigrant, it was the first of two Medals of Honor for which he would be considered. It was the only one he would receive.
Throughout his years in the Navy, Seaman Blume was a bit of a tippler and enjoyed a good time. More than once, actually many more times than once, he was busted in rank for a variety of reasons, each having to do with alcohol or a good time. He was brought up and found guilty of smuggling alcohol aboard ship, of drinking on duty, overstaying leave, or fighting while under the influence.
In spite of this he had attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer, lost it for his less than
perfect conduct, left the Navy several times, and re-enlisted several more. His second feat of heroism that gained him the respect of his peers and anothernomination for the Medal of Honor came a couple of years after Cienfuegos, and a couple of years before he came to Highlands to be the lighthouse keeper.
It was at a time when Blume had been reduced in rank from the prestigious rank of Chief. He was stationed aboard the USS Raleigh, a Cincinnati class protected cruiser, along with shipmate, Robert Klein, who had also served in the Spanish American War and then served as a carpenter’s mate on the Raleigh.
Two other sailors were working in the double bottom compartment of the ship when they were overcome by turpentine fumes and lack of air; a fuse burned out and shut down the safety blower, leaving the men to suffocate. Known as a big man, and strong, with “the utmost fearlessness,” Blume went into what was described as inaccessible compartments at the bottom of the ship where the unconscious duo were being smothered by the poisonous fumes. Wrapping ropes around the unconscious men, Blume was able to hand them over to Klein who pulled them both to safety.
Both rescuers were nominated for a Congressional Medal by the ship’s executive officer, Lt. W.J. Terhune; Klein received his Medal January 25,1904.
Rather than the Medal of Honor, Blume asked instead that he be reinstated to his rank as Chief. His request was approved.
Had it not been for Mr. Blume’s penchant for alcohol, he would be included today among one of only 20 men who have earned not one, but two Congressional Medals of Honor.
After seven years in the Navy, his rank restored because of the Raleigh heroism, Blume requested discharge from the Navy, and arrived in Highlands with his wife to set up residence here. He began employment at the Twin Lights, as third assistant lighthouses keeper, working under Principal Keeper Ole Anderson, a position he held from 1906 to 1910.
While one of four keepers of the lights, Blume and his family lived in the Keepers’ Quarters at the lighthouse. The first of his three daughters was born there and later baptized at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
Whether he yearned once more for the sea, or whether he had more to prove to himself about shipboard life, Chief Blume decided to leave lighthouse work and applied to the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation for permission to reenlist in the Navy, saying in his letter of request, “I would like very much to reenter the service and promise faithfully to live up to rules and regulations,” a promise he had made in the past. But this time, he added, “I am a Medal of Honor man and have a few lives to my credit.”
His request was granted.
Still the story of America’s hero does not end. Though Chief Blume died in 1937,his Medal of Honor was advertised for sale on eBay in 2003 in strict violation of federal law. Through cooperative work between the FBI and Canada’s law enforcement departments, police investigated, set up a sting, recovered the Medal of Honor and saw the criminals found guilty and serve time in prison.
With no living relatives of Chief Blume found, the Medal of Honor rests today in the
MOH Museum in Charleston, S.C.
The Chief, the Sailor, the Hero, the Highlands lighthouse keeper, is buried in
Arlington National Cemetery.
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It started with a book about a Lemonade War, continued with fourth grade student at the borough’s elementary school setting up their own lemonade stands for a ‘WAR” , and this year resulted in thousands of dollars for the Shrewsbury First Aid Squad and the Shrewsbury Historical Society.
“ This is clearly an expression of interest in the history of Shrewsbury encouraged by their parents and the staff a Shrewsbury Borough School,” said Historical Society president and former Mayor Donald Burden.
“The funds will be used to build new displays showcasing past history of Shrewsbury,” Burden said.
The funds raised by the Fourth grade students at the elementary school are the result of the second year of what appears to be a new tradition started last year when teacher Tanja Larsen introduced the class to Jacqueline Davies’ book, The Lemonade War”.
The book geared to elementary school age children, is the first in the series of Lemonade novels and focuses on feuding siblings who settled their differences by pitting their lemonade stands against each other to see who was superior.
The teacher thought her class could put the theory into practice by staging their own Lemonade Stand Wars to raise money for local groups. The first year it was the Shrewsbury Hose Company and the Police Department who were the recipients, this year the Historical Society and the First Aid Squad.
The students staffed ten tables for two hours one warm day in August scattered throughout the borough, vying for the honor of selling the most homemade summer drink to aid the two agencies.
Through these efforts, and all the work that preceded setting up an organized Lemonade Stand ‘feud’, students in those two hours raised $4,239.14 and presented the Historical Society with $2,120 and the squad with the other half.
Grateful the Historical Society was selected as one of the two recipients of the charitable cause this year, Burden also said he was not surprised at the enthusiasm for helping the historical society.
“The kids love their visits to the Shrewsbury Historical Society. When they see the donation jar, they ask Why. This is always an opportunity to tell them this place wouldn’t be here for you to enjoy without money to support it,” the society’s president explained. “ I’ve seen kids toss in a dime or a quarter saying thank you,” he said, praising them for carrying their enthusiasm to the lemonade stands on a hot summer day.
Both the 4th and 8th grade students make annual visits to the Historical Society as part of their curriculum, Burden said happily. They also visit on their own because of the museum’s proximity to Shrewsbury’s Athletic fields., he laughed.
“Often kids will come to ask, ‘do you have a bathroom?’ Of course we do. But that also has other advantages, he added, growing serious. “More often than not they don’t leave without taking a look at the exhibits. Then they say, “I want to bring my Mom and Dad here.’
The youngsters have a number of exhibits they particularly enjoy, Burden continued, but clearly, the highlight of most is always the collection of yearbooks from the Shrewsbury Borough School dating back to 1954.
“The kids love to see their parents, cousins, and familiar faces.,” he explained. “They love seeing their current teachers and what they looked like 25 or 30 years ago. As they’re looking through the books, you always hear “ “come see this. Can you believe that it is my teacher today. Look at the hair, look at the dress, and so on. It is so much fun to see their reactions.”
There is no doubt these glimpses into their own past involving people they know today heightens the children’s interest in local history, Burden noted. “Yes, they love the stories. When they hear that where they live was once a horse farm or an azalea nursery, it often generates “tell me more!”
The entire experience and making the local museum accessible and interesting to youngsters provides a lesson about change and growing up,” the historian said, “ and it helps the youngsters remember Shrewsbury will always be a special place in their lives., wherever their journeys take them as they become adults.”
Burden welcomes school groups, adults and anyone who wants to know the foundations of the country, visit the museum and see the variety of both standard exhibits as well as special focus exhibits on display for specific periods of time. As an integral part of the historic Four Corners, the Shrewsbury Historical Society plays a prominent role is what has been referred to as “The Cross Road of Civilization in Monmouth County.” , he said.
Persons wishing to become members of the Historical Society do not have to be borough residents, and all are welcome to join. Further information is available by accessing their website www.shrewsburyhisoricalsocietynj.org. Burden also invites calls to 732 530 7974 for additional information.
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They have been one of the happiest and most fun fixtures in the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor for the past six years, but for Dan Schaade and his wife Vicky, it’s time to retire.
The Majestic Navesink Queen
Both the Navesink Queen and the Mariner, also docked at the harbor, are currently up for sale, so this ever busy, ever happy couple can take some time for themselves and do some traveling, near and far, as well as enjoy some gardening at home.
The Mariner
Captain Dan said the couple are going to continue to keep the Jenny Girl, the six-passenger boat docked at the Molly Pitcher in Red Bank. “It’s very easy to maintain and operate,” he laughed, admitting, he is not going to miss the upkeep and work of the Navesink Queen.
Jenny Girl
Addressing the question of the sale of the business, Captain Dan said most prospective buyers are interested in purchasing the Navesink Queen and enabling him to continue to run Classic Boat Rides on a smaller scale in the area. “Some folks have expressed interest in keeping the boats in Atlantic Highlands, which would be great so maybe we could go out on them one day and have some fun as opposed to working,” he laughed.
Classic Boat Rides LLC was founded with a passion for boating and adventure. Its aim has always been to provide an opportunity for everyone to experience the joy of being on the water.
For Dan, it all started in 2004 at Bahrs Landing in Highlands with a 1958 18-foot Chris Craft sea ski that Dan had restored. It was around that same time he met Vicky, his wife and helpmate who has nurtured the business with him ever since. The couple knew their own love for water and after falling in love, and getting married, they have been sharing their joy of boating and the sea with others.
Captain Dan and First Mate Vicky have always run their business based on maintaining and insisting on quality and reliability. Their mantra has always been to provide a great experience to their customers by providing top-tier service and unforgettable boat charters for all occasions. That service is guaranteed whether it’s on the Navesink Queen, the paddle-wheeler that accommodates more than 100 visitors, the Mariner, the custom tour boat for 50 or so passengers, or the Jenny Girl they are going to continue to sail, the six-passenger boat in Red Bank. Each of the boats has offered cruises from two hours and more, specialties from Lunch and Lighthouse cruises to seeing the Submarine USS New Jersey (SSN-796) commissioned at NWS Earle. They have been the cruise for fund raisers, historic talks, business meetings and more.
But their favorite cruises have been the birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions families have enjoyed on the Classic Rides fleet.
“ We do lots of birthday parties and more,” Dan said, “but our favorites are the ones with the kids and the Cub Scouts and the Girl Scouts, as well as the special needs people. We also enjoy the ones where people are celebrating 65 years of marriage or 99 years of times around the sun. They are all fun,” both Dan and Vicky agree.
While the couple are now looking forward to spending some time as passengers on cruise ships themselves, and doing a lot more traveling, they are still going to be active in the Bayshore. They will continue to offer the Jenny Girl and perhaps some more smaller boats for smaller groups who want to celebrate or simply enjoy a day on the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers. And yes, they do hope to have at least one of their boats in Atlantic Highlands, while maintaining and offering the Jeny Girl in Red Bank.
Not only has the Navesink Queen been pretty spectacular but so have the crews Capt. Dan has had. “She’s a great boat and we love her,” he said, explaining also why his crews have been so important both to the couple and to their image. “Boat people love her,“ he said, “ We’ve had various crews over the last several years, but the crew for the last two years have mainly been with us and they are a great bunch of folks.”
Though he’s on the water just about every day, it’s impossible for Capt. Dan to give an accurate estimate of the number of knots or trips he’s captained with First Mate Vickey.
“Math is not my strong point,” he laughed, “ we just know that we have had a lot of trips and a lot of fond memories and know we have provided some great memories for others as well.”
To Capt. Dan and First Mate Vicky, that’s what it’s all about…being happy and keeping others happy.
While those retirement plans include cruises on big trips and gardening, the Shades also plan on taking out some of the smaller boats to points near and far. They are looking to cruise up the Hudson River, go out to Montauk, Martha’s Vineyard…the list goes on.
In short, Capt. Dan and First Mate Vicky have worked hard, they’ve loved it, they love the water, and they want to retire. In short, they simply want to enjoy a few years. But they are not stepping away from the big boat business without expressing appreciation to others.
“ We really appreciate the support of the local community,” this happy couple said. “ Many people and families have been out on the boat numerous times over the past 21 years. It’s always nice to see them again. We’re going to miss the nice folks that have taken trips with us over the years. We are also going to miss the crew. But I can honestly tell you I’m not going to miss painting and maintaining large vessels anymore. Little boats are easy to take care of. “
For Capt. Dan and First Mate Vicky, their plan for their own future is
“Just having fun messing with Boats.”
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