MAYS LANDING — To acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the official cessation of the Vietnam War and recognize the sacrifices made by the proud veterans throughout Southern New Jersey, Atlantic Cape Community College will host a series of free and open-to-the-public events on the Mays Landing campus commemorating the end of the Vietnam War between Tuesday, September 16 and Saturday, September 20.
Designated as the final officially-recognized ceremony by the United States Department of Defense, the highlight of the week’s festivities will be the arrival of an 82-foot replica of the Vietnam War Memorial Mobile Wall, which will arrive at the College around 12 p.m. on the 16th, flanked by a dignified escort of American Legion Riders, New Jersey State Police helicopters and additional riders from numerous veterans’ organizations.
“Atlantic Cape and its Foundation are honored and grateful to be able to host these series of events honoring those who served in the United States armed forces between 1955-1975 and beyond. Our dedicated Veteran’s alumni and the entire veteran's community who are serving on the committee have been significant to work with,” said Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation Executive Director Jean McAlister. “We are reminded of the role that New Jersey’s community colleges played when our brave veterans returned home from combat.”
Additional events include:
- Wednesday, September 17: At 10 a.m., the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will hold a memorial service for VFW members who served in Vietnam and for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. A Veterans Recognition Ceremony to honor those who served, and their families, during the Vietnam War Era between 1955-1975 at 12 p.m. This event, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, will feature the United States Navy Band Northeast and will posthumously honor the memory of Retired Brigadier General Alfred Cade. The veterans and their family members will be bestowed with official Vietnam Service tribute pins. At 10:30 a.m., a ceremony presenting Wreaths of Honor at the Vietnam Memorial Mobile Wall will honor those, and their families, who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.
- Thursday, September 18: Viewing of the three-time award-winning Vietnam War documentary film, “A Place of Honor,” which was directed by the highly-acclaimed three-time Academy Award winner Vanessa Roth, and produced by Amy Osborne and former New Jersey State Senator Nick Asselta will take place in the Student Center (G Building) at 12 p.m. At 1 p.m., retired police and firemen veterans along with New Jersey State Trooper veterans and retired State Police veterans will honor all veterans who served, and the families of loved ones who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice, at a wreath laying ceremony with the Sandpipers Bagpipers from the Atlantic City Fire and Police departments performing. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Student Center (G Building).
- Friday, September 19: At the 11 a.m., The Quilts of Valor, whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts, presentation will be held. At 12 p.m. on National Prisoner of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Day, the Gold Star & Blue Star Mother's along with the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary will hold a wreath laying ceremony in the Quad.
- Saturday, September 20: The Children's Choir of Southern New Jersey will perform from 3-3:30 p.m. Following at 4 p.m., the Knights of Columbus will hold a memorial mass, led by Fr. John March of the Parish of St. Vincent de Paul in Mays Landing, in Walter E. Edge Theater. Following the mass, a procession to the Wall will culminate with a wreath laying ceremony and prayers for all veterans who served, and the families of loved ones who served as well, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Kenny I will lead a liturgical musical presentation. Following the mass, the Vietnam Memorial Mobile Wall will depart the campus with a closing ceremony complete with a 10-gun salute, the firing of cannons and the playing of taps by the Sandpipers Bagpipers and veterans’ organizations from Atlantic and Cape May counties.
Vietnam War veteran and 1972 Atlantic Cape alumnus Ray Williams, who actively supports veterans by working for the Atlantic County Veterans Action Center, while serving as a key member of the Veterans Peer Council and conducting fundraising events in support of veterans’ initiatives, spoke about the importance that this event holds.
“The official 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War is the last commemoration in the country to honor all of our veterans who served, and the families of loved ones who served, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We pay our respects to them all by having the Vietnam Memorial Mobile Wall here on the campus of Atlantic Cape Community College. With this historic event we welcome Vietnam era veterans to join us and become involved with Atlantic Cape’s alumni veterans as we honor our many vets in the community.”
The Vietnam Memorial Mobile Wall will remain open on Atlantic Cape’s Mays Landing campus to all veterans, families and members of the public who wish to pay their respects to our fallen heroes during these five days. This solemn and meaningful historic event will offer everyone the opportunity to honor, remember and thank those who served during the Vietnam War era.
This event is presented by:
- Gold Star Sponsors - Caesars Atlantic City, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and OceanFirst Bank
- Bronze Star Sponsors - American Legion Riders Post 352, Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law and the Atlantic & Cape May County Building Trades Council
- Tribute Sponsors - American Legion Post 352 of Somers Point, AtlantiCare, Atlantic County Retired Police & Firefighters, Atlantic Cape Alumnus David Abbamondi, '72, In Memory of Victoria & Emidio Ciccone, Jewish War Veterans of America, Knights of Columbus All Saints Council #6277, Knights of Columbus Sheehan Assembly #662, St. Katharine Drexel Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 220 of Mays Landing, VFW Post 1963 of Sea Isle City and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 228.
This event is graciously hosted and sponsored by Atlantic Cape Community College and the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/vietnam for more information.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
About Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation
Atlantic Cape established the Foundation in 1978 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity to build a broad base of financial support for its programs and services. Foundation members are drawn from local industry and small businesses and represent a broad cross-section of active leaders in the community. The Foundation has raised more than $5 million for scholarships, Foundation operations and to enhance academic programs and the campus environment. Annually, the Foundation provides nearly $600,000 for institutional scholarships, grants and emergency help.
