Share Your Summer Vacation Photos With Ocean City Patch

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is a very special place, not just for those who live here, but for the many visitors the island sees every summer. We're inviting you to share photos from your summer vacation with Patch, and let us know what Ocean City means to you.

You can email photos to Anthony.Bellano@patch.com. Be sure to include your name and hometown, identities of everyone in the photo, and why the picture is special to you.

We'll share your memories on Patch, and give you the chance to see what other people were able to do on their summer vacations, such as the photos and story below.

All attached images were provided by David Bankert, 53, of Hanover, Pa., who has vacationed in Ocean City for about 40 years. His grandchildren, 6-year-old Jacob and 2 1/2-year-old Carson, are pictured. They love the beach, and Jacob can't wait to come back next year, Bankert said.

"When I was a child, my grandparents would get a place down at 58 and Asbury," Bankert said in an email. "As my grandparents did for me and my parents did for my children, I am doing the same for my grandchildren."

Pictured in the family photo are, left to right: Future daughter-in-law Samantha, middle son David, grandson Jacob, grandson Carson, oldest son Timothy, his wife Jennifer, and youngest son Maxwell.

"I consider this a blessing," Bankert said. "In today's fast paced world, it is very hard to get the whole family together at the same time. And getting together at the beach is extra special. My oldest son is 26, and I think since he was born he has only ever missed one year coming to the beach. Same with my middle son who is now 24 . My youngest at 20 has not missed a year yet. Even though we are only there for one week, Ocean City is like a second home to us.

"I am also blessed to still have both of my parents with me still. They enjoy watching their great grandchildren playing at the beach, and great grandmom tells stories of how the beach was when she was little. Between myself and Ocean City, I have given my family a valuable gift that money can not buy. That's memories."