Barnegat Thanks Vietnam Veterans

BARNEGAT, NJ — "Some people think heroes wear capes and fly through the sky to save the day. But I believe a hero is someone special that risks their lives for others."

The words of the 10-year-old keynote speaker, Vincent Lorenzo, were one tribute of many to support veterans at the Barnegat Vietnam Veterans Day event on March 29.

Many people from New Jersey and even other states came to show their respect and appreciation towards Vietnam veterans, and many veterans came as well.

"You fought the Communists in our neighborhoods in Vietnam when you were barely adults," Thy Cavagnaro, organizer of the event, said in her opening speech. "And you made sure we had a safe passage to your own country after we lost ours."

Cavagnaro, herself a Vietnamese refugee, organized the event to show her gratitude to those who helped save her and her family when she was only an infant.

Cavagnaro previously told Patch she "made it a goal to try to reach as many Vietnam veterans as possible to let them know how much people like me and my family deeply appreciated everything all Vietnam veterans did collectively to help fight for our freedom in Vietnam."

Many Vietnam veterans are still hurting, Cavagnaro said. She wanted to turn something negative into a positive by gathering a community to show their support.

"Vietnam veterans should be able to feel celebrated," Cavagnaro said.

A highlight of the event was the reuniting of someone who was rescued in Operation Babylift, the evacuation of children after the fall of Saigon, and a veteran from the operation. Steve Hartmann, now a musician in Vermont, gave his thanks to all veterans but especially Master Sgt. Rene Fougeray, who was on the last plane of Operation Babylift. Hartmann said it has always been his dream to meet a veteran from the operation.

Hartmann performed his song "You Are," an emotional tribute to veterans. He said that if any veteran ever wondered if anything they ever did mattered, "it mattered to me."

Other highlights of the event included the Barnegat High School Marching Band performing the Armed Forces Medley, with members of each branch standing up when their song was played.

Barnegat Mayor Al Cirulli spoke to share his gratitude towards veterans.

"Today and always, we will continue to remember and honor the ultimate sacrifice that our men and women made in fighting for the freedom of the Vietnamese people," Cirulli said. "The greatest tribute I can make to them is to ask the Lord our God to keep them close, bless their families and the United States of America."