Community honors two war heroes SCOTT PILLING staff Rich Kosmoski of the Sayreville Veterans Alliance presents Stella Chitren with flowers and a plaque Saturday in memory of her son, Vincent, a Vietnam War veteran. One veteran was killed in Korea; one from Agent Orange exposure BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer Two men who died for their country from separate causes in separate wars received equal showers of gratitude by a packed hall at the borough's public library Saturday. Sayreville natives Woodrow Haussermann Jr., a U.S. Marine who died in combat in Korea, and Lt. Col. Vincent Robert Chitren, who died of leukemia two decades after being exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, were both honored with plaques and a ceremony conducted by the veterans of the American Legion Post 211 and VFW Post 4699 Saturday. Haussermann is also one of 60 borough veterans killed in combat to be honored at a ceremony on the Haussermann Road, which Sayreville named for him, on Veterans Day Nov. 11. "You can tell the future of a nation by the people they honor." - Stanley Drwal He is the only borough resident to be lost in the Korean War, according to Sayreville Police Detective Kenneth Kelly, who led the ceremony Saturday morning. Kelly, a past commander of the VFW who served in the Vietnam War, and Richard Kosmoski, a fellow veteran and past commander of the American Legion, organized the event through the Sayreville Veteran's Alliance. "We are here to honor two district veterans who served this country with honor," Kelly said. Chitren's plaque, which hangs next to Haussermann's near the library's entrance, reads "Scholar - Athlete - Soldier - Gentleman." Chitren was valedictorian at St. Stanislaus Kostka School and Sayreville High School before going on to graduate with honors at West Point Academy with the class of 1960. He later earned a Bronze Star and an Air Medal for his service in Vietnam, where he completed two combat tours. SCOTT PILLING staff Don Yetman (l) and Robert Redford stand at attention during memorial plaque dedications Saturday at the Sayreville Public Library in honor of two war veterans. Chitren served as an officer in the U.S. Army for 20 years and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. According to Chitren's mother, Stella, Vincent wanted to do youth counseling after he retired, but he became ill with leukemia, fighting it for eight years before passing away in 1991. Mayor Kennedy O'Brien spoke before the crowd Saturday. "This is a wonderful showing for two of the sons of Sayreville," he said, noting that veterans like Chitren and Haussermann fought for the principles of freedom we enjoy today. "I have plaques here that are inadequate to express my thanks," the mayor said. George Coyle, the guest speaker for Haussermann, recounted the experience of fighting in Korea, where Haussermann was killed in action just days before the end of the war in 1953. Coyle said the terrain often made soldiers vulnerable to attack. "There were more hills in Korea than I care to recall," Coyle said. Haussermann's sister, Irene Heims, told the Suburban that she appreciates the veterans of Sayreville for paying tribute to her brother, who was a machine gunner with the Marines. "He was a very sweet fella," Heims said. "He was an artist and I still have some of his drawings. I think that the hard thing right now is that this war is dredging up all the sad feelings about his loss. I don't think you ever get over it. They are there one day and then they are gone forever. It is not gradual, it is a sudden thing." Heims said that Sayreville veterans conducted her brother's funeral. "The funeral ... I have never seen anything like it," Heims said. "I appreciate the military people from Sayreville. They are excellent people and they did so much for us. "I still miss him and I am 69 years old," Heims said. "The hard part of it was the dribs and drabs in those days. He was killed in the summer and he was not brought home until October. Then we got a letter from the commandant, then the chaplain, then we received his personal belongings. It took a year to get everything, and it dredges up the heartache. Today they get it done with immediately." Persian Gulf veteran Stanley Drwal, who is a member of the Borough Council, spoke in honor of Chitren and said the plaques will serve as reminders to today's youth of the sacrifices of their ancestors. "You can tell the future of a nation by the people they honor," Drwal said, adding that Chitren was a personal inspiration for him to graduate from West Point and serve his country. Resident Barbara Kilcomons suggested that the borough acknowledge Chitren two years ago, Drwal said, adding that he is glad that the community has finally done so with this dedication. Also in attendance for the ceremony was Chitren's cousin, Sgt. Tony Modzelwski, a U.S. Marine. "The ceremony was a long time coming, that's for sure." Modzelwski said. "He was a great guy and my best friend." Modzelwski and Chitren grew up together on opposite sides of the South River. "He was the first grandchild and I was the second, so we were close," Modzelwski said. "... We used to play ball together. I miss him a lot." Borough officials presented gifts to Stella Jurkiewicz Chitren, Vincent's mother. Stella later told the Suburban that the ceremony, which included the playing of taps and a firing squad, was overwhelming. "It all fell on my birthday," she said. "When they played the taps ... that really touched me. It was really sad. It is too bad that my son could not live to enjoy his grandchildren. They are such lovely children, and I am not only saying that because I am their grandmother. The little ones are so full of life." The support from the community was a pleasant surprise, Stella said. "I didn't expect all of that," she said. "The mayor was there, my pastor was there and all of those VFW guys. Mr. Drwal made a very nice presentation. All in all, it was just beautiful. I'll never forget it." Councilman