Memorial Day: Honoring Our Heroes

Memorial Day traditionally is meant to be the day we honor those who died in service to our country.

While we take time to remember those who died, here are three men nominated by Patch readers who have and are giving to our country:

Peter A. Cappello (Photo 1)

“My grandfather was a Navy Second Class seaman during WWI. He was assigned as a signalman to merchant marine ships crossing the Atlantic, bringing supplies to Great Britain and the other countries at war. He knew Morse code, which he transmitted using bright lights, and semaphore, which was a form of signaling using two flags.

Attached is a picture of my grandfather, Peter A. Cappello (on the right) and his cousin Mick right before they shipped off. Skip, as we liked to call him, has since passed but it is always important to honor those who have sacrificed so much for what we have today.”

David Cappello, Toms River

John Patrick Ambrose (Photos 2-4)

“For this Memorial Day, I’d like to recognize my son, John Patrick Ambrose. He served with valor and distinction as an enlisted Marine in the 2nd Battalion Sixth Marines from 2008 to 2012.

“Cpl. Ambrose joined the Marines right after graduation from Toms River HS East in 2008 and went to Parris Island basic training, then advanced Infantry school, and then joined the “fleet” in Camp Lejeune, N.C., as an 0311 -- “rifleman.” Pat served with some great Marines on his two deployments to Afghanistan. Uncommon valor was a common virtue.

“ Unfortunately not all his brave men returned home, having given the ultimate sacrifice, and many more of his brothers came home with purple hearts and permanent disabilities.

“For Memorial Day, I’d like to take a moment to remember their bravery for answering our nation’s call to duty while our country was in the midst of two ground wars against terrorists in the Middle East. Here is a picture of my hero in his dress blue uniform after coming home (the first time), another while being recognized for his service by the then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and last but not least, a list of his fellow Marines of 2/6 who died in the line of duty far from home in a hellish place called Marjah, Afghanistan.

“These Marines are true heroes of this generation -- let’s remember them and their families this and every Memorial Day. Semper Fi”

Don Ambrose, Toms River

Raymond Kanoc (Photo 5)

Private Raymond Kanoc is serving in the U.S. Army now.

Submitted by his mother, Christine J. Saia of Beachwood