Military Family To Be Honored In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A military family will be honored with a week's free vacation in Ocean City thanks to the OC American Legion Post 524's Rest & Relaxation program.

USMC Staff Sergeant James Williams and USAF Airman First Class Glenda Williams and their children, Alcie and Joshua, will come to Ocean City on Aug. 14 for a relaxing vacation through American Legion Post 524.

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

The Williams family will be welcomed into town with a police and fire department motorcade, and an escort by the Legion Riders motorcycle brigade. A lunchtime welcoming ceremony will honor the family with personalized, handmade quilts by members of the South Jersey Quilts of Valor Foundation. The pattern and stitching will represent the Marine Corp and Air Force colors and designs.

For the week, the Williams family will be given the use of a donated condominium at Watson's Hotel, as well as a multitude of gifts from local Ocean City businesses to thank the family for their service.

On Aug. 15, Mayor Jay Gillian will host the family and present them with a key to the city. They will also receive free beach and parking passes, as well as gifts from many Ocean City merchants and civic organizations, such as restaurant dinners and product baskets. The Cape May County Zoo has donated free admission passes.

Staff Sergeant James Williams grew up in Boston, joining the Marine Corp in 2008. His first duty station was Hawaii, where he met and married Glenda, originally from Clearwater, FL. He was deployed to Afghanistan twice while the couple lived in Hawaii, and after a subsequent move to California, he was re-deployed to Afghanistan for a third time. The couple then moved to Memphis, TN and Jacksonville, NC, where James was deployed to Honduras.

“While we were living in North Carolina, and my husband was on deployment, I decided to join the Air Force,” said Glenda. “After basic training, I attended tech school in Texas, before we both got orders to report to Joint Base Dix/McGuire/Lakehurst, New Jersey.”

Their two children, 15-year-old Joshua and 14-year-old Alcie, will join their parents for the week. Joshua stays active playing football and Alcie runs track and enjoys both America’s Battle of the Books and her school’s baking club.

“Post 524 is proud to welcome an R&R family each year,” said Jerry Bonner, Committee co-chair. “We thank all our members and local businesses for their many contributions to such deserving patriotic families.”