JACKSON – The township once again honored area veterans through the annual Wounded Warrior Escort Parade – and the threat of rain was not going to deter them from their mission.
The event draws veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, along with veterans from Vietnam, Korea, and even World War II.
This year’s event was once again hosted by Mayor Michael Reina and the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club.
“This is the 15th year,” Mayor Reina said. The veterans and vehicles including American Legion motorcycle club riders began lining up around 9 a.m. in front of the Jackson Police Department’s Justice Complex.
Their destination was the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club located on South Stump Tavern Road. The Warriors were escorted by the Jackson Township Police Department, volunteer fire companies, Jackson Township First Aid Squad and the various motorcycle groups.
“Some of our veterans that show up year after year are not here – colonels, special forces guys, they are all gone. We’ve had veterans from Korea, World War II, a lot of Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and they are either at the range this year, waiting or the weather may have turned a lot of people around,” Mayor Reina said noting the absence of the usual crowd of attendees and participants in the parking lot across the street from the Justice Complex.
Reina said no matter how many people came out, it was a worthwhile event to do and that he has always enjoyed spending time this year alongside these courageous men and women. “The freedoms we enjoy as Americans have been purchased and maintained at a high price throughout our history. We owe a great debt to those who have served in defense of our nation.”
Members of the Jackson Police Department Color Guard await the start of this year’s Wounded Warrior Escort Parade. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“For many, their sacrifice has ended in permanent injury. It has been a true honor to ride alongside these heroes each year as we escort them,” the mayor said. He noted that those that came out to show their support spent only a few moments of their time – but that it was time well spent to provide “a lasting memory for these heroes.”
He joined Council President Steve Chisholm and Councilwoman Jennifer Kuhn at the scene. While the gray skies and pending rain may have impacted attendance at this year’s event the mayor said, “we do this for the warriors.”
Mayor Reina said, “if one shows up and we’ve made a difference in their lives, that is all that matters. It is a way of saying ‘thank you.’ You can never say ‘thank you’ enough. That is why I continue to do this. If one comes out, we’ve honored them all.”
Several fire trucks took part in this year’s Wounded Warrior Escort Parade. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“One year we had a veteran come all the way from Delaware to be a part of this. They put out a spread at the range. My office goes around to all the businesses in town for donations. There are bagels, sandwiches and cakes. Food like you can’t believe,” he added.
“The club supplies all the firearms and ammo and it’s great,” Reina added. “Everyone enjoys it. We tell them to bring their kids, normally there are people out there along the route greeting them.”
Another familiar face at the parade staging area was Frank Bartolomey, who is a member of the township veterans commission who said, “the turnout doesn’t matter to me. It is for the wounded warriors who don’t care about the weather, they have no choice about the weather. It may have been raining the day they got wounded. Rain or shine we should be here for them.”
He added, “I’ve been with this since the mayor started it. I’m also a member of the Jackson American Legion Post 504 and I am their quartermaster and I am also in charge of the American Legion Riders at the Post. We have four riders and we lost one recently. He was a good man. He was 72 years old.”
One of several Jackson EMS vehicles is seen as part of this year’s Wounded Warrior Escort Parade held in front of the Jackson Justice Complex. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Rolling Thunder rider Karen Burst of Freehold also came out with her cycle to join Bartolomey. She said, “I’ve been a member of Rolling Thunder for four years. We have six chapters of Rolling Thunder in New Jersey.”
“Two weeks ago, we did the procession with the Sheriff’s Department where we took the 27 remains to the Brigadier Gen. Doyle cemetery. That was heart wrenching,” Burst said, adding, “I come to support Mike (Reina) who is a fellow biker and these are things we do.”
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