The final Monday of May is a day of reflection as local communities observe Memorial Day. Families come together for a single day of mourning for those who served in the armed forces. For many, Memorial Day is a time to acknowledge the cost of service and its impact on families and their communities.
Originally it was known as Decoration Day in 1868, a day of mourning for the lives lost during the American Civil War. Over the years, this day began acknowledging all members of the armed service. By 1967, the name Memorial Day became nationally recognized on a government level.
As flags are lowered to half-staff across the area, organizers of Swedesboro and East Greenwich will be holding moments to commemorate local veterans through morning services.
Swedesboro
In the heart of Swedesboro, the town’s Memorial Day services will be held along Kings Highway. All throughout the streets, flags will be flown, and light posts will be decorated with a banner showing a face and name of veterans to be remembered for their honor, service, and bravery in wars past.
Starting at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Borough Hall, bystanders will see a ceremony reflecting on the lives of those from the local area who served for the United States of America. In inclement weather, services will be moved to the Woolwich firehouse.
Every year the names of recognized service members from the Swedesboro area that were killed in action are read aloud. Each time the name is spoken, a bell is rung at the Woolwich Fire Company. Scouts of Troop #7013 honor the readings by decorating the Swedesboro War Memorial with baskets of flags for each name read.
During World War I, 123 residents of Swedesboro served. Seven of them gave their lives: King E. Anderson, Vincent Bismar, Grace Lowe (nurse), Albert T. Spence, William H. Swain, Ralph G. Whitaker, and S. Edward Wright.
During World War II, 440 men and women were veterans served. Of these brave veterans, 15 gave their lives in the service of this country: Joseph C. Bratton, Jr. Salvatore Capri, Alonzo Corbin, James S. Grey, George Hellyer, Jr., J. Kenneth Horner, William R. Johnson, Herbert L. Jordan, Richard Lyons, Kenneth Netherby, Michael Paz, J. Harold Pool, Mildred A. Shimp, David Shute, Herbert P. Sparks.
During the Korean War, two residents of Swedesboro lost their lives: Robert Hoffner (jet pilot) and John J. Horner. Members of a heavy bomber crew, their plane failed to return while engaging targets in North Korea. Their fate as well as those of their crew is unknown.
During the Vietnam War, five Swedesboro natives gave their lives in service for their country: Donald L. Corbin, Steven Fiducioso, Dennis P. Martin, Robert E. Monahon, and William I. Pollard.
At the request of family and friends, names of local veterans and those serving currently serving are read. These names are broken down into categories based on each member of service, from the Army, Navy, and Airforce, as well as the Coast Guard, National Guard, and Marines.
Each year, Swedesboro’s Memorial Day service has a guest speaker. This year the guest speaker is James Witkoski, a member of Project Recover. Project Recover is a non-profit organization whose goal is to bring closure to families in recovering MIA American service members.
Closing the ceremony is the somber gun salute from the Semper Fidelis Marine Detachment. Taps are played in recognition of the fallen soldiers. St. Clare of Assisi Parish’s choir sings God Bless America in recognition of the services of past veterans.
The ceremony ends with two trumpets being played at opposite ends of the ceremony, echoing back and forth for everyone to hear.
When asked about the importance of Swedesboro’s services, Gahrs said that it is an important date for everyone to remember, to acknowledge veterans’ services, as well as their family’s loved ones. The service is also important for younger generations too, to explain why their grandparent, aunt or uncle, were such an important family figure.
She continued to say that reading the names of everyone is what Memorial Day is about. “It is a warming occasion, a time of healing, and a day to honor the dedication and service veterans have gone through in the service of this country.”
Residents are encouraged to share a relative’s name that served in the military by calling 856-467-0756 or 856-498-9435 before May 22. Along with the name, they must provide the branch of service and conflict or war they served to have their names read aloud.
Swedesboro’s services are made possible through the sponsorship of The Greater Swedesboro Business Association and by Swedesboro’s Council Member JoAnna Gahrs. Additional assistance from local law enforcement is provided by blocking off a portion of Kings Highway, between Poplar Street and the traffic light intersecting Auburn Road and Lake Avenue.
East Greenwich
Right off I-295 on Democrat Road in Mickleton, East Greenwich will be presenting its Memorial Day Services. The service will be held at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the East Greenwich Joint Municipal Court in front of the East Greenwich War Memorial, rain or shine.
Across the lawn and parking lot, visitors in attendance for this year’s services can expect to see roadside flags. There will also be a special tribute held at Eglington Cemetery for veterans buried there. Groups of volunteers go out of their way to provide flags on the graves of every documented veteran buried in this cemetery.
At the beginning of each year’s services, a moment of silence is held in recognition of those who have served and died for this county, serving in the armed forces. This is followed by an opening prayer by Pastor Cruze of the Living Water Bible Church.
The ceremony is then turned over to VFW Post #5579 of Gibbstown to lay wreaths in front of the East Greenwich War Memorial. This will be followed by a speech to honor the lives lost in service for the United States. The ceremony ends with a of silence, a 21-gun salute in three volleys, and the playing of Taps.
Since their installation back in 2025, there are banners on proud display mounted along the light poles throughout the municipal buildings parking lot. In total, there are nine banners, each representing nine residents from the local area who died in the line of duty in service to their country. The banners represent over 200 years of military service from East Greenwich residents, dating as far back as the American Revolution.
Every year, the following veteran’s names are spoken to in remembrance of their services to this country.
During the American Revolution, Colonel Dr. Bodo Otto, Jr, a well-practiced surgeon, died of illness on Jan. 20, 1782, age 34.
During the American Civil War, two Union soldiers and residents of East Greenwich died serving their country. Private George W. Allen, Company F of the 12th New Jersey Infantry Regiment, died at Ellicott’s Mill, Maryland, Dec. 9, 1862. Private William Dermitt, Company H of the 12th New Jersey Infantry Regiment, died on the second day of the Battle of the Wilderness in Wilderness, Virginia, May 6, 1864.
During WWII, four residents of East Greenwich died serving their country. PFC Charles R. Corliss, 10 of Marine Corps 4th Division died at the battle of Iwo Jima, Japan, May 4, 1945. He was awarded the Silver Star for bravery. Second Lieutenant and pilot Stephen J. Kritz, 24, Air Force, died in a plane explosion in the UK on Nov. 26, 1944. Private David E. Mills, 22, US Army, died in action in Metz, France, Nov. 21, 1944. PFC John H. Pool, 22, US Army, was killed in Baal, Germany, Feb. 24, 1945.
During Operation Freedom in Afghanistan, Captain Ryan K. Iannelli, 27, a recognized student athlete in East Greenwich Schools and Kingsway Regional High School, US Marine Corps helicopter pilot, was killed while conducting combat operations, September 28, 2011.
When speaking with Mayor James R. Philbin, Jr. and Committeeman Michael Quigley, they explained the importance of these services held each year. They said that remembering the sacrifices that veterans made is important for everyone of any age, and that everyone should know the brave men and women lived lives just like everyone else.
Philbin also stated something he remembered once being told about the importance of veteran’s headstones. “Although the dash in between the years of their life is so small,” he said, “it is the most meaningful thing to remember them by as it represents all the memories and love they lived in life, and these memories are etched in stone, along with their honor, valor, and purpose.”
The East Greenwich Memorial service is made possible with the cooperation of East Greenwich Fire and Police Department, East Greenwich Public Works, East Greenwich Township Committee, VFW Post #5579 of Gibbstown, and the Living Water Bible Church of Mount Royal.
By Gerald Philipp
