Veterans Appreciation Day at Somerset National Guard Armory
May 17th, 2008

 

On Saturday May 17, 2008 the Central Jersey Military Motor Pool, in conjunction with the New Jersey Army National Guard held its First Annual Veterans’ Appreciation Day at the Somerset Armory!

Despite some shaky weather predictions earlier in the week, the day turned out to be absolutely beautiful! 24 CJMMP members participated and exhibited a nice variety of historical exhibits and vehicles.

Vehicles included:

 

3- M35 2 - ˝ ton trucks

5 –WWII Jeeps with one Bantam Trailer, one Converto Trailer and a 37MM Howitzer

2 - WWII Harley-Davidson WLA

1 – White Armored Scout Car

1- Dodge Command Car

3 - M151A1 Jeeps

1 - M-38

1 - Korean War era M-37 Dodge

In addition to the excellent vehicle selection , the associated displays were also well presented to the public. Some of these were a weapons display, a WWII aid station display, a selection of personal artifacts and memorabilia from WWI through Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

We would like to thank the following members, supporters, and associations for their participation in our first, very successful event!

24 Members- Bill Anania, Warren Boekhout, Dan Cleaver, Ken Coanshock, Joe DiGiovanni , Ivan Dizon , John Dorell, Joe Domino, Paul Dormont, John Dunay III, John Eklund, Bruce Hutchinson, Ken Kalinowski, Kevin Kearney, Stan Lapidow, Chris Moore, Rich Pascale, Dave Peters, John Peterson, Ollie Primiano, Jim Sabbagh, Greg Seaman, Stan Stankiewicz, Russ Wagner, Henry Waronker.

We’d also like to thank WWII Veteran Walter E. Henry for coming out and sharing his experiences with the public!

Special thanks go to Major Jon Lapidow and his crew for bringing a US Army Blackhawk Helicopter to the event and demonstrating a landing and take off!!   

 

Other groups-

Operation Jersey Cares, Vietnam Veterans of America #452, Vietnam Veterans of America #233, Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, 102nd Cavalry Reenactors

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, COL R. A. Switlik, SSG Esposito., and the Somerset Armory Staff for their permission and cooperation in making this a success!