250th U.S. Birthday held at Lacey Township Municipal Building.

250th U.S. Birthday held at Lacey Township Municipal Building

By Heide Dziardziel

The scorching heat of over 105 degrees was not only felt on July 3rd. At the Lacey Municipal Building, during a presentation of the Declaration of Independence by Sam Saporite, we can imagine how emotionally devastating it was for the Patriots during the 1776 reading of the Declaration of Independence, as it pertained to the King of England, George William Frederick 111 who reigned from 1760 to 1810. By resisting the Declaration of Independence, the patriots considered him an antagonist and tyrant during the Revolutionary War.

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are relevant to maintain our freedoms, as documented in the Declaration of Independence.

We give credit to Lacey Township Mayor Steven Kennis, a promoter of the 250th Birthday Flag Raising event in support of the Vets and First Responders, including Bernie Snyder, Chair of the Lacey Veterans Commission since the 1980s, for organizing this outstanding event.

We were honored by numerous American dignitaries, including Senator Amato, who paid homage to the Veterans, saying, “Without them, we would not be a great democracy of today.” He gave an invigorating and uplifting speech in support of our Veterans and First Responders. We appreciate his concern and active participation in events for Veterans.

Assemblyman Brian Rump gave an invigorating and uplifting speech in support of our Veterans and First Responders.

Sam Saporite, in his authentic 1776 garb, presented us with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and an enactment of the public's visible reaction to the reading by booing, showing emotional patriotism to the American Cause.

The presentation included a salute to raising the U. S. American Flag, done by Peter Borchester.

Numerous officiants who witnessed and participated in the U.S. Birthday ceremony included the following:

Bill Schmidt, the Commander of the American Legion Post 517 in Lacey Township Post Address: Charles A. Smith Community Center, 15 East Lacey Road, Forked River, New Jersey.

Kerry Corneluis Jr. 1st, Vice Commander & Membership Committee Chairperson

Sam Saporite, 2nd, Vice Commander and membership correspondent

Zee Valez, Historian and Chaplain

Lacey Police Department

Lacey Fire Department ( Bamber Lake )

Bayville, VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars

Smith Detachment MCL (Marine Corps League)

Bob Meola, Commandant

Bill Pivanick, Sr. Vice Commander

Jim Barrow, Pay Master

Raymond Rothfeld, a participating politician in resolving legislative issues.

Richard Schadl- Trooper

Peggy Sue Juliano, the Committee Women in Lacey, and a liaison to the Fire Department & DPW (Department of Public Works) and the Police Department. She has served for 4 years. Peggy expressed her desire, indicating that she wished to have seen more members attend the event. Veronica Laureigh, Lacey Township Municipal Administrator, also helped make the US Flag Raising Event a success.

We honor and appreciate our members of the aforementioned departments for their support while they stood in the sweltering heat in uniforms.

We pray that American values remain solid as intended by the original writers of the Declaration of Independence.