Veterans get proper sendoff in Sayreville

The American flag was lowered to half-staff and taps sounded from two bugles last week as past and present armed services personnel and hundreds of Sayreville residents saluted the cremated remains of three veterans.

The Honor Guard of American Legion Post 211, Sayreville, presents American flags and boxes with the cremated remains of the veterans for the Oct. 21 ceremony outside Borough Hall. The three local veterans, whose remains had been unclaimed, were honored by local veterans groups and others from the community. The military service, held Oct. 21 outside Borough Hall and spearheaded by the New Jersey Mission of Honor for the Cremains of American Veterans, honored three local servicemen whose remains had been unclaimed and were being kept at the Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home.

Stephen Hedman, a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marines; Michael Sullivan, a Vietnam War veteran with the U.S. Air Force; and Frances Wheelan, a World War II veteran who was a seaman first class with the U.S. Navy, were given full military honors in Sayreville and brought to their final resting place at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Arnytown.

Members of the American Legion Post 211 Honor Guard carry the cremains of the three veterans from a hearse as the ceremony gets under way in Sayreville last week. "Advance the colors and the cremains of our comrades," ordered ceremony leader and Sayreville Councilman Kenneth Kelly, a Vietnam veteran and co-chairman of the Sayreville Veterans Alliance.

The cremains, each resting in an urn embedded with their respective military branch logo, were placed by the American Legion Post 211 Honor Guard on a table alongside three folded American flags outside Borough Hall. As U.S. Army veteran and Sayreville Councilman Stanley Drwal announced their names, ranks and respective wars, the veterans were individually saluted. All three men were local, with Hedman hailing from South River, and Sullivan and Wheelan from Sayreville.

"Today we celebrate their lives," said U.S. Army Col. Stephen Abel, deputy commissioner of Veterans Affairs. "Because of their sacrifice, we are able to live in this great country."

Main Street was lined with American flags held by color guards and representatives from Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard Riders, Legion Riders and other local motorcycle groups. Sayreville resident Judy Gary sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful," and a bagpiper played "Amazing Grace."

"This land called America is free today because of the soldiers that fought for that freedom," Mission Chaplain Jerry Skorch said during the invocation. "On this day we have the privilege and duty to see that each of these American heroes [are brought to their final resting place]."

At the end of the ceremony, two buglers played taps and a seven-man rifle squad honored the three veterans with a 21-gun salute.

"We will say goodbye to them as they go with honor to their final resting place," Mayor Kennedy O'Brien said.

Sayreville resident Edward Strek of American Legion Post 211 place the cremains into a hearse provided by Carmen and Christine Spezzi, and a massive procession ensued. This involved about 50 motorcycles leading in front of the hearse and 50 cars following behind. The Sayreville Police Department and New Jersey State Police provided escorts as the remains of Hedman, Sullivan and Wheelan were driven via the New Jersey Turnpike to their final resting place.

Sayreville Councilman Stanley Drwal, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, takes part in the ceremony. "It was wonderful," said Sayreville resident Nellie Malet, an event organizer and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 233 member. "Everyone helped to make that day come together."

Malet was one of the leaders in locating the veterans' remains and organizing the ceremony.

"Nellie [Malet] was instrumental in bringing the Mission of Honor to our community," Kelly said. "She's a very special lady."

The ceremony saw a few county and state officials along with nearly 10 veterans organizations and many local residents. Freeholders Ronald G. Rios and Carol Barrett as well as Assemblyman John Wisniewski were among the attendees.

"This was the best day to see this and feel this, to see the pride," Barrett said. "The veterans deserve that for giving their life for our country."

The Mission of Honor, signed into law by Gov. Jon S. Corzine last February, is a statewide initiative that seeks to locate American veterans who have been cremated and kept in funeral homes. The organization is the first of its kind in New Jersey and one of the first in the country, according to Roman Niedzwiedz, Mission of Honor chairman.

Last week's ceremony was the first in Middlesex County.

Lou Spinelli, former national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Hearts and a Korean War veteran, came from New Brunswick to participate in the ceremony. Spinelli received the Purple Heart in Heartbreak Ridge, North Korea, on Oct. 28, 1951, when he was only 17 years old.

"The Mission of Honor is a great organization," said Spinelli. "It's the least we can for each other; it's an obligation."

Retired New Brunswick Police Capt. Jim White agreed.

"It's such a great honor to be here," he said. "It's the least we can do for our veterans."

The Mission of Honor has been active for about four months and has located 10 forgotten veterans across the state, seven of whom were reunited with relatives who had not known of their abandonment in the funeral homes, according to Mission of Honor Vice Chairman Frances Carrasco. But there are still many missing veterans in New Jersey and around the country, according to organization officials.

"The Mission of Honor will not rest until all forgotten have received their proper burial," said Carrasco.

Ray LoLargo, Middlesex County coordinator for the Mission of Honor, described the Mission's goal by reciting the VVA motto at last week's ceremony.

"Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another," he said.

Additional information about the organization is available online at www.njsmissionofhonor. org. Donations may be sent to New Jersey Mission of Honor for Cremains of American Veterans, P.O. Box 263, Bordentown, NJ 08505.