Atlantic Cape Community College recently marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with a weeklong series of events honoring those who served or lost their lives.
The commemorations began on Tuesday, Sept. 16, with the arrival of an 82-foot Vietnam Memorial Tribute Wall, escorted onto campus by American Legion Riders, a New Jersey State Police caravan and helicopters.
Designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as the final officially recognized ceremony of its kind, the week brought together veterans, their families, community members and local veterans’ groups. Tributes included a wreath-laying ceremony, a recognition and pinning ceremony, a Quilts of Valor presentation and an observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, among several other emotional and stirring events.
The idea for the commemoration took hold earlier this year when Ray Williams, a veteran and Atlantic Cape alum, approached the college with fellow veterans and alums David Abbamondi, Paul Hornig and Joseph Cendrowski about hosting an event to honor those who served and to give back to the school.
Williams had once hoped to attend Princeton University, but it was Atlantic Cape — then the newly established Atlantic Community College — that welcomed him home from the Vietnam War and, as he puts it, gave them “the academic tools to be successful in life.”
Williams, who graduated in 1972, quickly began welcoming other veterans to campus, serving as the first president of the Vietnam Era Veterans Club and helping peers navigate the GI Bill and other benefits.
“They felt we helped them with their pathways to a really good future,” said Jean McAlister, Atlantic Cape chief of staff and executive director of the Atlantic Cape Foundation.
What started as a one-day event quickly grew. With support from Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board chair Michael Bongiorno and retired Brig. Gen. Douglas Satterfield, the committee expanded to 30 veterans, and more organizations joined the fold.
“There were a lot of people who gave us their all-out support. We were very happy about that. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off,” Satterfield said, noting support from several sponsors, the college, the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, local police, retired police groups, VFWs, American Legion posts and other veterans’ organizations.
“It was really a team effort from a number of folks,” he said.
Even with less-than-ideal weather, crowds were strong, Satterfield said. Williams estimated the event saw “about 5,000 visitors all in.”
“I feel so proud as a veteran but so proud as a citizen to be able to award and reward those that served honorably,” Williams said. “Most of us, other than the guys who were going to ACCC, did not receive a warm welcome. Well, we made sure this was a warm welcome.”
That welcome was clear as tributes stretched across the week, with veterans honored daily and many families and veterans sharing their stories of service and sacrifice.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the veterans recognition featured the Navy Band Northeast and honored the memory of retired Brig. Gen. Alfred Cade. Veterans and family members also received official tribute pins and Atlantic County certificates of honor, some of which were awarded to families posthumously or on behalf of a relative who couldn’t attend.
Satterfield said that more than 300 veterans received pins, with more pinnings occurring throughout the week.
“I personally pinned probably 200 people,” Satterfield said.
For McAlister, some of the most poignant moments came from watching veterans and students connect and guiding families to the names of their loved ones etched into the wall. For some, it was their first time seeing them, as they had not been to the memorial wall in Washington, D.C.
McAlister said the week “exceeded expectations,” noting the gratitude she heard from veterans.
“All said, ‘I’m so glad you’re doing this. I’m so glad the Vietnam Veterans are finally being welcomed home,’” she said.
Williams expressed gratitude for Atlantic Cape’s and the community’s support.
“We couldn’t have done it without the support of the community,” Williams said.
McAlister echoed that the community “really stepped up to the plate.”
“It is such an honor for all of us at Atlantic Cape and the Atlantic Cape Foundation to support our veterans community during this important commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War,” she said. “We thank those who served our country and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. We are proud to have supported veterans when we opened in 1966, just as we continue to do so now.”
