JACKSON – Veterans were honored during the recently held Military Appreciation Day hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
The event kicked off at noon on the grounds and inside the Knights headquarters at the Howell-Jackson Columbian Club at 401 Bartley Road
The event also involved the support of the Jackson Police Department, Jackson VFW, Jackson American Legion, Amvets, Disabled American Veterans, and Jackson Township’s Mayor’s office.
Among the attractions present were a helicopter display, cornhole tournaments, touch-a-truck, face painting, arts and crafts, a live band, and food. A beardless Uncle Sam was also part of the fun.
The purpose behind the event was to honor those who have served in the military. Veterans were admitted free and they received a complimentary meal. All proceeds from the event supported the “Send a Hero Home for the Holidays” program.
Also involved were members of Jackson Fire Station 55 were out with their fire truck to pull some safety duty for the military helicopter that was on display nearby. Firefighter Frank Hruschka said, “we’re here today because of the landing zone.”
Fire Chief Carl A. Halpin Jr. was also present and noted it was a great event to not only give thanks to veterans but to meet up with members of the public.
“We are here for safety for the takeoff and landing of the helicopter.” The fire company is in need of volunteers. “Anyone interested can stop by on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the 113 North New Prospect Road station,” the chief said. He noted that in November the fire company will be holding its annual craft fair.
The helicopter provided by the Army National Guard was a big draw and involved two members from Jackson amongst its flight crew. “This is a great helicopter. It is the UH-60M Black Hawk,” U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Thomas Frickanisce said.
“We have four crewmembers here,” Frickanisce said. “This is what we call a static display and this being Military Appreciation Day they asked us to bring this.”
Chief Warrant Officer Doug Skinner was part of the flight crew and members of his family came out to support the event and his presence with the Blackhawk helicopter. Brick residents Amanda Prestia, Emma Prestia, baby Gavn Prestia and Kaitlyn Curtis were among those present.
Mayor Michael Reina, Council President Jennifer Kuhn and Councilman Nino Borrelli came out to the event during the morning. Mayor Reina had with him a number of flyers to promote the Wounded Warrior Escort event that his office has hosted for many years. This year’s event will be held at 9:30 a.m. on October 12. Veterans will start assembling a half hour earlier at Jackson Drive at the township Justice Complex.
Spectators can safely park along West Veterans Highway between Jackson Drive and South Stump Tavern Road to show their support for the soldiers as they are escorted to the annual Wounded Warrior event at the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club. For additional information contact the mayor’s office at 732-928-1200 ext. 1211.
Mayor Reina said, “we do this through the (Jackson) Veterans Commission. We want to bring awareness to everybody that our veterans from all armed services are never forgotten. This is another way of reminding people, and thank God, we’re not at war, that these people are waiting and standing by to protect us 24/7.”
Council President Kuhn who serves as liaison with the township Veterans Commission said she was excited about the event and that the administration and council was involved with it along with veterans’ support groups in town.
“This is our first of what we hope to be an annual event. We had two Jackson residents who came in as part of the flyover. My brother is a veteran so I am happy to help out. We worked on this for the last six months and it came out really good. Jackson PBA sponsored the cups,” Kuhn added.
Columbian Club President Tim Huddy said,” we are hoping to get between 500 to 1,000 throughout the course of the day. We also have some young kids making cards today that will be sent overseas.”
Kuhn noted that Jackson School District JTV Jackson Memorial High School sophomore Eddy Huffey was present to capture photos and video footage of the event for a special video project. He was taking clips of the event “that will be sent overseas for Christmas. It really is full circle. It’s going on now but will keep giving back until the end of the year which I think is very special. I know my brother appreciated this when he was overseas.”
Huffey said he was enjoying working on the project and intends to remain with the JTV program through his senior year and pursue video production after graduation.
Members of the Jackson Police Explorers were on hand to assist with the event and helped dish out the food to the attendees as part of their duties. The Police Explorers are hosting an upcoming fundraiser in the fall where an outside entertainment company will come in to put on a performance of an interactive murder mystery at a township firehouse. The explorers will be serving the food and running aspects of the event.
Officials said it will be held at the Jackson Mills Firehouse from 6 to 9 p.m. on October 4. Tickets are $60.
Vietnam War veteran and Jackson American Legion member John Orr told The Jackson Times “It is nice to see that we are appreciated, especially for the seniors. We are enjoying life and we’re trying to make life easier for the younger veterans who understand what we went through. We understand what they went through was the same thing. It is great to see that we have a Military Appreciation Day.”
