Because of You, Unknown Soldier
Because of you, I am here
Because of you, I am able to live freely
Yet I do not know you
And I have not done anything for you
But there you stand, ready to fight
And there you are prepared to die
For me
You’ve fought before
And you’ll fight again
For someone you don’t know
So thank you Unknown Soldier
Fighting for me
I’m here because of you
And I owe my future to you
____________________________
By Courtney Tanabe
Ocean City’s annual Veterans Day Program was held at 11 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 11) at the Ocean City Tabernacle. It was presented by Ocean City VFW Post 6650, American Legion 524, and The City of Ocean City.
The event included:
- Welcome by Ocean City Business Administrator: Jim Mallon
- Invocation by Rev. John Jamieson, Chaplain: Ocean City Fire Department
- The Star-Spangled Banner sung by: Julia Mary Wilson
- The Pledge of Allegiance led by: Bob Buker, American Legion Post 524
- Armed Forces Medley
- Remarks: Mayor Jay A. Gillian
- VFW Commander: Mike Morrissey introduced the guest speaker
- Address by Gold Star Parents of Michael Strange of the Michael Strange Foundation
It was a heartfelt and moving presentation of love by the parents of Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange from Philadelphia. They recounted the mission that took their son and 29 other soldiers from this world. Mr. Strange described the mission and Mrs. Strange read the names of each fallen soldier. They went on to describe their foundation, named for their son, that helps comfort and support other Gold Star Families.
- The Placing of the Wreath tradition was by Clark Manley and Jim Riviello
- Benediction by Rev. John Jamieson, Chaplain: Ocean City Fire Department
- God Bless America by Julia Mary Wilson
- Closing: by VFW Commander Mike Morrissey
- A salute to the Wreath
The OCNJ Daily would like thank all the Veterans for your sacrifices, so that we can live in the greatest country on earth. Without you, we would not exist today.
