Belmar Honors Veterans

Belmar residents gathered today to honor the courage and sacrifice of America's armed forces this Veteran's Day.

Despite harsh, blowing winds and low temperatures, a good turnout was seen as local Veterans of Foreign War Post 2620 members conducted their annual ceremony.

At the borough's Monument Row, on Main Street between 12th and 13th avenues, Post Commander Daniel Moynihan, an Army veteran of the Korean War, led the commemoration.

Members of the Belmar Elementary School Band were on hand to perform patriotic songs and Moynihan's son Joseph performed a stirring rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."

Lt. Col. Lisa Hau, a flight surgeon with the Army National Guard who , acted as the post's chaplain, leading the ceremonial prayer.

Quartermaster Harold Cutty then spoke, explaining the history of the holiday from its roots in Kansas as a small-town Armistice Day celebration to a nationally recognized holiday.

Red, white and blue carnations were laid at the foot of the monument as symbols of commemoration.

From there, the entire procession moved to Belmar's Doughboy Monument, near the railroad tracks and Route 35 between 7th and 8th avenues.

A similar dedication was made at the Doughboy Monument. Afterwards, a reception sponsored by the Belmar Historical Society was held at the Belmar Arts Council.