At veterans' cemetery, New Jersey remembers

The seats outside of the chapel at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown began filling up early as final preparations were being made for Monday's Veterans Day ceremony.

Richard Jacobowitz, a Marine Corps veteran, came out to "honor all those who served and pay respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice." He would later visit the grave of his brother-in-law, Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr., who died in the war in Iraq.

"He was 25 years old," said Jacobowitz, 43, of Jackson, Ocean County. "Yesterday was his birthday."

For many of the couple of hundred people who attended the 11 a.m. observance, Veterans Day was not just about parades and martial displays. It was a deeply personal time to remember the sacrifices of loved ones buried a brief walk or drive from the chapel.

They held their hands over their hearts - and others in uniform saluted - as "The Star-Spangled Banner" was sung, then listened to speeches from military and political leaders who sought to bring meaning to service, and oversaw the entombment of the remains of more than 4,000 retired U.S. flags.

The Doyle cemetery is New Jersey's only state-operated veterans' cemetery, averaging 2,750 interments each year. It is the final resting place for more than 45,000 veterans and family members.

"This is the only place I'd like to be," said Pam Mellen, a Barnegat resident whose husband is an Iraq War veteran and a lieutenant colonel in the New Jersey Army National Guard. "It's just a solemn day, and I want to thank all of our veterans for what they've done."

With flags fluttering overhead and more than 200 looking on, Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, the adjutant general of New Jersey, looked back on the history of the veterans' observance.

"For nearly 100 years, this nation has set aside a special day to honor its veterans," he said. "The tradition, as you know, began when the cannons of World War I were silenced and Americans paused to pay tribute to the men and women who served in that war.

"Then, it was called the war to end all wars," he said. "But then, as we know, the rise of Hitler's Germany and the attacks on Pearl Harbor are but a few reminders that freedom is not free."

Freedom "requires men and women who are willing to give it their all to defend it," the general said. "Fortunately, America has never had a shortage of such brave heroes.

Cunniff recalled the bravery and sacrifice of the late Medal of Honor recipient and World War II veteran Nicholas Oresko, and Afghanistan veteran and Bronze Star recipient Michael Sears. He also said more than 16,000 New Jersey Army and Air National Guard members had deployed in the last dozen years.

"Who are these brave heroes?" he asked. "They walk among us every day. They walk in our neighborhoods and communities."

"There are 21 million veterans in America today, and 425,000 call New Jersey their home," he said. "They deserve our gratitude today and every day."

New Jersey "has always answered the call," said U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan (R., N.J.), who thanked "each and every one of our veterans and their family members for their service to this great nation."

"It is unfortunate that many Americans only think about veterans on Veterans Day," he said. "I can tell you that, having young children of my own, I remind them of that every day.

"Someone died for all the freedoms we have and the rights we have," he added. "Someone put their life on the line."

On Veterans Day, said Raymond Zawacki, the state's deputy commissioner for veterans affairs, "it is fitting indeed to conduct services and ceremonies this day to reflect the appreciation of a grateful nation for those who have or are serving. More important, however, is the way we express that appreciation on the other 364 days of the year.

"Those who have served in uniform have earned the respect and appreciation of all Americans," he said.

After the speeches, an urn containing the ashes of flags was lowered into a small tomb next to the chapel. The flags had been collected by veterans posts and service organizations across the state.

A granite marker carried the inscription "Nov. 11, 2013. 4,321 U.S. Flags Were Retired at This Site."

With that ceremony concluded, many attendees ventured out into the cemetery to pay their respects to loved ones.

"We come to this service every year since my husband passed," said Barbara Reed, 81, a Monroe Township, Middlesex County, resident whose spouse served in the Navy during the Korean War. "This is a day to reflect."

Her daughter Donna Vurge, 46, of Jamesburg, Middlesex County, said, "Everything should be closed today. You should honor your country and remember the sacrifices."