By Maddy Vitale
U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Joanne Schultze hasn’t had a family vacation with her two teenage girls since 2015.
On Sunday afternoon, the Schultze excursion officially began.
They headed down to Ocean City to enjoy the sun, sand and shopping, all free of charge, courtesy of the Morvay-Miley American Legion Post 524 and its Veterans Rest & Relaxation Program.
A police and fire motorcade with the Legion Riders, led the way to Post 524 at 46th Street and West Avenue, where legion members, their families and dignitaries, awaited the family’s arrival.
Schultze, 49, stepped out of the car and smiled as she shook hands with post members.
She said she knew exactly what she and daughters Sara, 19, and Emma, 17, who were arriving shortly, would do on their vacation.
“I want to go to the beach,” she said. “It is so beautiful here.”
Gift baskets, buckets of caramel popcorn, chocolates and other goodies filled a table, all donated by local businesses. The Legion Riders even provided spending money for the captain.
“It feels like Christmas,” Schultze joked during the ceremony.
She was given two medals, one for each of her daughters, to be given to them during a lunch at the post Wednesday. She was also given a plaque for her dedication to her country.
The single mom from Yardley, Pa., is an attorney and a Judge Advocate General, or JAG, in the Army.
In addition to serving as a JAG, Schultze is Director of Operations at the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.
She said while working at the USO, she has become used to ceremonies for others, but not herself. She said she was humbled and very appreciative of the generosity and kindness of the American Legion.
The busy mom, who juggles her military career and raising her daughters, said she probably wouldn’t have set aside time to take a trip if it hadn’t been for the R&R program.
She joined the Army in 2011 when she was 40 because she wanted to serve her country. She also wanted to help veterans.
Schultze gets to do both.
Her active duty assignments have included The U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Commission Officer’s School at Fort Benning, Georgia, according to Post 524.
Post 524 member Steve Cole was instrumental in creating the R&R program at the post.
Cole said the post is always interested in finding out about members of the military and their families to see if they would make good candidates for the vacation.
“We want them to enjoy themselves. It isn’t just the military members who are sacrificing, it is also their families,” Cole said.
The Veterans R&R Program is in its fifth consecutive year.
What makes this year special is Schultze is the first woman selected by Post 524.
Cape May County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes said she and Schultze have both been advocates for children. Hayes is a retired captain in the Cape May County Prosecutor’s office, where she worked in the Crimes Against Children Unit.
Schultze has worked as a court-appointed special advocate.
“I am so happy to welcome Captain Schultze and her family to Ocean City,” Hayes said.
On behalf of the county, Hayes said, Schultze and her family are invited to take a special tour of the Cape May County Park and Zoo.
Schultze said her family would really enjoy that.
Among the dignitaries, Ocean City Councilmen Bob Barr and Keith Hartzell attended the ceremony. Barr summed up how he felt about the day.
“This is what makes me proud to be a part of Ocean City,” Barr said. “We give back to our veterans.”
If you know anyone who may be a good candidate for the American Legion Post 524 Veterans R&R Program, visit www.legion524ocnj.org.
