American Legion Post 524 Renames Building in Honor of Bill Cruice Sr.

By MADDY VITALE The late Ocean City resident and Air Force Sgt. Bill Cruice Sr. likely wouldn’t have wanted all of the recognition. He wouldn’t have felt that it was necessary to add his name to the Morvay-Miley-Cruice Post 524 in Ocean City. But to those whom he mentored, to others who knew and admired him for his perseverance, lifelong service to his country, fellow veterans and to his family, the addition of his name to the post was quite deserved and absolutely necessary. In honor of the veteran who re-established the post back in 2000, the founding commander’s name was officially added. Because, as his fellow veterans, daughter Pat Cruice and lifelong friends said during a tear-filled re-dedication ceremony of the post on Saturday afternoon, if it had not been for Cruice, who passed away in July of 2020, the post would not have been -- could not have been -- what it is today. The late Bill Cruice, center, is shown at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2018 for the new Post 524 building, along with Jim Sambucci and post Commander Bob Marzulli. The first ceremony was April of 2018, when Cruice cut the ribbon for a new building at 4560 West Avenue. Although they all had different stories about the man they admired and respected, the resonating theme was that the post would not be the success it is today if it had not been for Cruice’s hard work that began more two decades ago. Post Adjutant Jack Hagan fought back tears as he spoke of Cruice, a man who he called his best friend. “We are here in this wonderful building because of what this man did for so many years,” Hagan noted. The crowd raises their hands in the toast to Bill Cruice. Cruice, who was born in 1934, was a career military man. He began his service in the Navy and spent the remaining time in the Air Force until he retired in 1972. He was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was married to Bridget Doyle, who pre-deceased him, and was the father of four grown children. He also had grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Upon moving to Ocean City, he organized veterans in Ocean City to secure a charter in 2000 to restart what was a nonfunctional post. “Bill Cruice was always a great man and a good friend,” Hagan noted. Adjutant Jack Hagan tells the crowd what Bill Cruice meant to him and to Post 524. Cruice’s eldest child, Pat Cruice, spoke of how her father raised them. How he was a loving family man, but was also a man who believed in “duty to always improve.” “His sense of duty was really deep,” Pat Cruice said in her remarks. “He had a duty of self-improvement, developing character and always serving others.” Pat Cruice was among several family members who attended the re-dedication ceremony. She called it “a great tribute” to something that is greater than oneself. “Thank you again from all of us,” she added. Pat Cruice thanks the Post for the great honor in memory of her father. Post Commander Bob Marzulli said in all the years that he knew Cruice, his dear friend would “push you until you were in the right direction.” “All he ever wanted to do was good for the community,” Marzulli said. “If it wasn’t for Bill, this building would not be here today.” Among those who spoke of Cruice were fellow veterans Walt Szczurek, Gene O’Grady and Berley Hanna as well as dignitaries Cape May County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes, Mayor Jay Gillian, Executive Director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Michele Gillian, City Council President Bob Barr and Councilman Keith Hartzell. In honor of Cruice’s dedication, the American Legion Post 524 scholarship that goes to a student from Ocean City High School was also renamed the William P. Cruice Scholarship. Cape May County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes reads a proclamation she presents to the Cruice family. During the ceremony, Commissioner Hayes read a proclamation on behalf of the Commissioners thanking Cruice for his dedication to his fellow veterans and his service to his country. Post 524 was named after Navy Petty Officer Third Class Jon Richard Morvay and Army Specialist 5 Bruce “Michael” Miley, both of whom were from Ocean City and died in Vietnam in 1968. Cruice’s friend and fellow veteran, Walt Szczurek, said it was only fitting that his friend’s name would now take its rightful place in history. “This is a dedication ceremony,” Szczurek said. “But it is also a dedication of his legacy.” Members of the Cruice family pose for a group photo. Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor Jay Gillian speak of Bill Cruice and his dedication to the community. The new sign recognizes the work of the late Air Force Sgt. Bill Cruice.