3 Military Families Get Free Ocean City Vacation

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City’s Morvay-Miley-Cruice American Legion Post 524 will welcome three military families to the resort town on Sunday, July 12, for a week through its Rest & Relaxation Program. The families will receive use of a free condominium for the week and gifts from local Ocean City businesses, according to the post.

The visiting families are the Henkes, the Laberdees and the Pecsons. They will be honored after a police and fire department motorcade and an escort into town by the Legion Riders motorcycle brigade. A noon welcome ceremony is scheduled at the American Legion building at 46th Street and West Avenue, and the public is invited to attend.

“American Legion Post 524’s Rest & Relaxation Program began in 2013 as a way to pay tribute to servicemen and women for sacrifices made during their time in the military,” said Joe Masington, co-chair of the R&R Committee. “Whenever military personnel are deployed, their families also share in that deployment, and we support their efforts as well.”

During the ceremony, members of The South Jersey Quilts of Valor Foundation will present personalized handmade quilts to the visiting service members. The release says the pattern and stitching will represent United States Air Force and United States Navy designs. Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian will present the families with a ceremonial key to the city.

The families also will receive free beach and parking passes, restaurant dinners and local gift baskets through the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and the local business community, according to the release. The Cape May County Zoo has donated free admission passes.

“Post 524 is proud to welcome this year’s R&R families,” said Jerry Bonner R&R Committee co-chair. “We thank all our members – Veterans, Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion for their many contributions to these deserving, patriotic families.”

The Laberdee family includes U.S. Navy Military Police Officer Terry Laberdee Jr., his wife Alicia-Clark Laberdee, their son Nathan, 14, and daughters Raven, 10, and Harper, 6.

“This trip will be incredibly meaningful to our family, since our daughter, Harper, will have beaten cancer for the second time this past April. We can think of no better way to celebrate her strength and our journey together.” said Alicia-Clark Laberdee.

The Henke family includes TSgt Justin Henke, MSgt Cynthia Henke, their son Cooper, 3, and daughter Magnolia, 1.

“Being selected for this beach getaway means so much to our family,” said MSgt Cynthia Henke.

The Pecson family includes USAF Senior Airman Mary Jane Pecson, her husband Ralph, and daughters Lucia, 16, and Luna, 13.

“This will be the best opportunity for us to escape and have an enjoyable family time,” said Senior Airman Pecson.

For more information, the post said to call (609) 398-1751 or visit www.legion524ocnj.org.