Getting Over The 'Hump' For Memorial Day No Easy Task

While many chowed down on hamburgers and hot dogs over the holiday weekend, three Lacey police officers chose a different way to celebrate Memorial Day.

Lacey Sgt. Samuel Della Sala, Detective Robert Surtees and Patrolman Patrick Watkins - all Marine veterans - hit the road at 7 a.m. on May 29 behind police headquarters to begin their 10-mile "Hump" to honor all those who died in foreign wars, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

“Hump” is a Marine term for a march or hike with weighted packs and equipment. The three men wore 40 to 60-pound packs and walked for four hours. They also carried two United States flags and a Marine Corps flag along a designated path, the chief said.

The arduous route began at police headquarters and ended four hours later at the Memorial in Bicentennial Park next to the Lacey Township Municipal Building.

The route wound through the back of Gille Park onto Manchester Avenue, then east to Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor, south to East Lacey Road to the Captain's Inn area, then west onto Bay Avenue back to Route 9, Paprota said.

The men continued on Route 9 south to Taylor Lane, then to the rail trail northbound to Lakeside Drive South, then westbound around the lakes to Deerhead Lake Drive, then Lakeside Drive North, to Newark Avenue toward Lacey Road, the chief said.

Once on Lakeside Drive South, they marched westbound around the lakes to Deerhead Lake Drive, then Lakeside Drive North westbound to Newark Avenue toward Lacey Road.

The three officers carried special, personal items in their packs in honor of specific fallen Marines they served with in combat.

"The veterans were humbled by the positive feedback they received from the public while on their hump," Paprota said. "Motorists were honking, waving, stopping to express thanks, while residents in the neighborhoods were taking pictures and videos, etc., and offering refreshments as well as very positive expressions of support."

Sunday's trek may have been the first memorial "hump" in Lacey, but it won't be the last, the chief said.

The Lacey Township Police Department is currently has 12 military veterans among the ranks.

"Their military service includes the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force," Paprota said. "All of the members of the Lacey Township Police Department extend a sincere expression of thanks to our veterans and all who have served in the United States Armed Forces, as we honor those who have fallen on this Memorial Day."

Photo credit: Lacey Township Police Department