Amid the general excitement, the events and, yes, even the unfortunate news items that combined to make Memorial Day Weekend 2018 such a whirlwind (seriously, Thursday feels like a month ago), one experience in particular stood out to me.
On Friday morning, the Wildwoods held its annual Unlocking of the Ocean event on the beach, just south of the Wildwoods Convention Center. The ceremony leads right into the opening of the International Kite Festival, perhaps the signature event of the holiday weekend.
Every year, local leaders and a guest or two deliver short speeches and welcome guests back to the island. Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano always delivers a sermon on the true meaning and importance of Memorial Day, along with some notes on beach/ocean safety to the 2nd graders in attendance, who anxiously wait to fly their self-crafted kites.
A team of six local students who will represent the island in this year's National Marbles Tournament was chosen to help spin the ceremonial "W" key into the sand, signifying the start to the summer season.
After the festivities, John Lynch quietly accepted a commendation from Bob Andrzejczak, on behalf of the 1st Legislative District of the New Jersey Grand Assembly (Lynch was recently recognized by President Trump with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service).
Lynch took the opportunity to gather the marbles team, and asked Andrzejczak if he would share his story with them. Andrzejczak was critically wounded in Iraq in 2009, while serving with the Army's 25th Infantry Division. He lost his left leg, and almost his life.
I happened to be in the right place at the right time to witness and record what followed.
Now, I was aware of Andrzejczak's background, but hearing the details straight from the source - especially his insistence on assuring the safety of his brothers and his long, brave road to recovery - was incredibly moving.
All the more poignant were the reactions of the young students, who listened intently and with much awe as Andrzejczak spoke. Afterwards, Lynch reminded them of the importance of family, blood or otherwise, as they all thanked this local hero.
When I spoke to Andrzejczak afterward, he was quick to point out that he did not make the "ultimate sacrifice" for his country and how fortunate he is to live the life he enjoys today. He even deflected his indisputable hero status.
On Memorial Day, when we set time aside specifically to remember those who gave their lives in the name of our freedoms, there is certainly room to honor proud, humble men like Bob Andrzejczak, who gave so much.
His story is one that I, and I'm sure the kids who he took the time to talk to, will never forget.
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