EHT Unveils POW/MIA Chair, Remembers Fallen Heroes at Memorial Day Ceremony

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The greatest sacrifice a man can ever give is to lay down his life for another.

On Monday, May 26, 2025, the residents of Egg Harbor Township understood the assignment and answered the call. To commemorate the 40^th annual celebration of Memorial Day in honor of the brave souls who gave their lives in service to the United States, Egg Harbor Township held its 21st annual Memorial Day parade along Ocean Heights Avenue, followed by a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.  

The parade began at 9:00 a.m. starting at Diamond Drive, through to Ocean Heights Avenue, capturing the gratitude and delight of patriotic community members of of ages. Children followed the parade waiving the American flag adorned in clothes of the nation's colors.

The ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park commenced at 10:00 a.m. with a heartfelt welcome speech by Egg Harbor Township Mayor Laura Pfrommer.

“Here in Egg Harbor Township, we are more than just neighbors. We are a community that supports one another, and today we stand to honor our heroes," Pfrommer said. "Some of their names we know, but many of them we don’t know. We’ve never met them, but we appreciate their sacrifice which is woven into everything that we do in life.”

Pfrommer’s welcome words emphasized the importance of gratitude, remembrance, and community unity.

“God bless the fallen heroes, God bless their families, God bless Egg Harbor Township," Pfrommer said, "and the United States of America.” 

Former mayor of Egg Harbor Township, Paul Hudson, retired Lt. Colonel, Army Reserve, introduced and presided over the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of honoring past and present veterans.

“This is what this community needs to do, and keep doing,” Hudson said. 

In honor of veterans who lost their lives and never returned home, Michael Bongiorno — Chairman of the Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board, veteran and a representative of the EHT Veterans Board, unveiled a new POW/MIA chair which he and his wife donated in honor of those who did not return. Bongiorno echoed the overwhelming sense of gratitude that many at the ceremony expressed. "Today is a day of remembrance, a day to honor, reflect on the bravery and sacrifice to all men and women who gave their lives in the name of freedom," Bongiorno said. "We are all forever grateful, we love them, we thank them, and we carry their memories with us always." 

 In his speech, Bongiorno also acknowledged the sacrifices that these veterans made on behalf of our nation.

"Let us also remember those who have not yet returned home, our POW/MIA heroes," Bongiorno continued. "Their stories and sacrifices must never be forgotten." He went on to express his gratitude to the Egg Harbor Township Soccer Club for a canopy that was used to shelter the chair.

Keynote speaker, Marco Polo Smigliani, a veteran who fought in the Vietnam war and was wounded five times, shared his own moving testimony. 

“Today is a day to remember those who never came home ... These are three cards I have here with me. I carry them wherever I go," Smigliani explained. "Billie was killed in front of me, Smith was killed beside me, and Sledge behind me. None of them were 20 years old yet. So, when you make a promise to them, it’s not just Memorial Day, it is a life commitment.” Smigliani’s statement moved the crowd — some at the brink of tears while others applauded. 

Invocation was delivered by The Rev. Lou Strugala of Church by the Bay — adding a spiritual moment of remembrance, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance which was led by exuberant Club Scouts and Boy Scouts from Pack 94, along with the Girls Scouts Troop. The National Anthem was led by Patrick Moschetto with a lively performance from the EHT High School Marching Band. The ceremony also featured a powerful performance of "TAPS" by the EHT High School Marching Band to honor the memory of those who lost their lives.

Mayor Pfrommer, echoed the message of remembrance to American heroes.

‘Those people fought and gave their lives so we could be here today and live the kind of lives we live," Pfrommer said. "So, we owe it to honor them, to live our best lives, be good to other people, but to never forget what they did for us."

Memorial Day 2025, was a great day in history for the residents of Egg Harbor Township and perhaps a greater day to honor those who lost their lives while serving the nation. Their sacrifice reminds us to live with purpose, care for one another, and never forget the price that was paid.

(This story was produced as part of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University's South Jersey Information Equity Project fellowship and supported with funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the NJ Civic Information Consortium.)

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