By TIM KELLY
“We are in a war. It is a war against an invisible enemy,” said Mike Morrissey, VFW Post 6650 commander. “We’re in combat. When you go into combat, it helps to have men on your side who are combat veterans.”
With that, the membership of Ocean City Ferguson-Foglio VFW Post 6650 dove headfirst into combatting the worldwide coronavirus pandemic by helping those around town.
Over the past few days, members of the post have been cooking fresh, large-portion quality meals and getting them into the hands of the less fortunate and first responders.
The donations are being distributed through the efforts of OCNJ CARE, the non-profit organization charged with raising funds, recruiting volunteers and seeing to the distribution of the help.
Post 6650 members have also been donating their time and money.
“We put the call out,” said Drew Fasy, OCNJ CARE chairman, “and the VFW answered the call. These are people who are passionate about their love for the community and giving back.”
Fret not, Ocean City.
In preparing the meals, no more than two members work in the kitchen at a time and social distancing practices are strictly observed.
The post received a large donation of meats and other sustenance from U.S. Foods, which Morrissey, who has a food service background, whipped into platters of roast pork, mashed potatoes and green veggies. Earlier, it was pork and macaroni and cheese.
“These are high-quality meals and big portions,” Morrissey noted. “To be honest, each individual meal is more like two meals.”
Mayor Jay Gillian is an ardent supporter of Post 6650.
With the post, headquartered at 1501 Bay Ave., serving as the base of operations, the meals are finding their way onto the plates of shut-ins, those needing transportation or folks who are simply struggling financially as a result of the crisis.
“Drew (Fasy) tells us where the meals should go and we get them there,” Morrissey explained.
It’s just the latest give-back, according to Post Adjutant Joe Walters.
“Mike (Morrissey) is really the force behind this,” said Walters, a decorated veteran of both the Army and Marine Corps, who lost a leg while serving his country and who was awarded the Silver Star.
“Mike does so many things to help people that go unrecognized,” Walters added. “He is a big part of the Run for the Fallen, Operation Wounded Warrior, the Boy Scouts, scholarships and so much more. He really deserves a lot of the credit. Helping others is his thing. It’s who he is and what he does.”
Morrissey deflected the praise and laid it at the doorstep of Ocean City government, starting with Mayor Jay Gillian.
“I tell people all the time. We couldn’t do anything without the support of the city and the mayor," Morrissey said. "We probably wouldn’t even exist as we do today without his help, the police, fire and EMS and all of the other city departments.”
He continued, “They are right there for us. We’re proud to show our appreciation, and the best way we can do that is to help the most vulnerable.”
Morrissey was quick to add that the members of his own post also deserve praise.
“The (members) kept asking me what they could do. Because of (social distancing) we can’t really have a bunch of people in the kitchen helping with the food prep. I just told them, what we really need is money.”
After challenging the members to open their wallets, $8,025 poured in almost immediately.
“That was as of (Tuesday), and I guarantee you many more checks came in today,” Morrissey remarked. “Eight thousand bucks is a pretty big number. I am proud these men elected me as their commander.”
VFW Post 6650 is a landmark at 15th Street and Bay Avenue. (Photo Credit: Post 6650)
The funds will be used to purchase more fresh food to keep the OCNJ CARE list of the needy supplied with nourishment to make it through the day, he said.
So what’s next?
“I think that next week we’re going to make a quantity of box lunches and hand them out to people,” Morrissey said.
“Everybody is in need in some way,” he added. “If we can make somebody’s day a little easier and a little less stressful by providing a lunch, we’re going to do it. “
