State Rep. Martina White recently held a veterans breakfast at FOP Lodge 5.
The Marine Corps League presented the colors as the Archbishop Ryan chorus sang the national anthem. Don Campanile, of the Marine Corps League, explained the significance of a POW/MIA table set for one. The Rev. Jonathan Dalin, pastor of St. Martha Church, offered a prayer.
Veterans heard a recorded message by U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, an Army veteran. McCormick intended to appear at the breakfast, but the Senate was in session.
Dave McCarron, of Semper Fi & America’s Fund, told the crowd that the public is invited to a monthly service at Washington Crossing National Cemetery that honors deceased veterans who have nobody to mourn them. The service takes place on the last Thursday of every month at 2 p.m.
The crowd also heard from Maureen Weigl, the state deputy adjutant general for veterans affairs, who encouraged veterans to Google a video of Doug Hegdahl, a Vietnam War prisoner of war who memorized the names of the other 256 POWs and provided those names to military leaders upon his release.
Gregory Wright, who served in the National Guard and is director of the city Office of Veterans Affairs, encouraged veterans to visit his office in City Hall Room 127.
White, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity and McCormick’s office honored Somerton resident Ralph Sweger, who served as a corporal in the U.S. Army, for turning 100. White and Garrity presented Sweger with citations, while Chris Quinn, a McCormick aide, handed him a birthday card from the senator. Sweger attended with his wife, Florence.
Garrity served for more than 30 years in the Army Reserve, deploying three times during the Gulf and Iraq wars and retiring as a colonel. She thanked veterans for their service.
“You protect the entire free world,” she said.
The treasurer’s office returns military decorations to veterans of every branch of service and for every major conflict. To search for military decorations, visit https://unclaimedproperty.patreasury.gov/en/Medals
While the event was for all veterans, it took place a few days before National Vietnam War Veterans Day. White asked all Vietnam War veterans to stand for applause.
Among those in attendance were Yahvae Jones, admissions and marketing coordinator at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home, and city elections commissioner Seth Bluestein. Vendors included the VFW. ••
