By Julia Train
Almost 7,000 American flags were placed next to the graves of fallen soldiers and blew in the wind as the 38th Annual Atlantic County Veterans Memorial Service took place on Friday, May 26.
The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Color Guard and the Atlantic County Corrections Officers’ Honor Guard led the procession down a paved pathway as the Sandpipers Pipes and Drums of Atlantic County followed, playing “America the Beautiful.”
Dozens of people gathered under the pavilion at the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery to commemorate those who’ve either died in battle or from health complications stemming from war.
Facing the crowd, the members of the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners were seated under a canopy in two rows with a podium and microphone in front of them.
Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive, stepped up to the podium and welcomed the attendees.
“You know, it’s foolish to honor the dead. You should thank God for their existence because without them, many of us would not have the life that we have,” Levinson said, quoting someone else.
Levinson asked for those who fought for the country to stand up and applause erupted. He recollected some history of the holiday, which was originally called “Decoration Day.”
He then welcomed Rev. John Ash from Mays Landing’s Presbyterian Church, who said the invocation and benediction.
After Howard and Donna Marie Berchtold sang the National Anthem, Levinson invited the keynote speaker and his longtime friend, Robert Frolow, to speak.
“I went to college and Bob went to Vietnam. It doesn’t sound fair. That’s been the way it is throughout American history,” said Levinson.
Frolow has spent a majority of his life helping his fellow veterans obtain government benefits and other assistance.
He was instrumental in bringing the Vietnam “Moving Wall,” which is a memorial for those who fought in the war, to Somers Point and established the Veterans Resource Center in Northfield.
Levinson appointed him as the county’s first veterans services officer and he has held the position for the past 21 years.
In his brief but powerful speech, Frolow spoke about what he’s witnessed in terms of veterans’ mental health after the war.
He spoke about his work helping retired veterans and asked if anyone had questions or statements, converting the speech into a conversation.
One gentleman from the audience mentioned how veterans have a higher risk of suicide.
According to a report from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the suicide rate was 57.3 percent higher among veterans than the general public in 2020.
In 2021, 6 million veterans served and about 10 percent of men and 19 percent of women were diagnosed with PTSD.
Frolow spoke about the statistics related to the mental health issues of veterans, which is something he’s a strong advocate for.
Frolow was then accompanied by members of the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners as they walked it to where the flagpole was.
Taps was played as the group stood silently, taking in the moment.
As the group returned to the tent, The Sandpipers Pipes and Drums of Atlantic County played “Amazing Grace.”
Rev. John Ash gave the benediction and the event was complete.
The audience dispersed to take pictures with the veterans in attendance in front of the thousands of flags across the cemetery.
