In Flanders Fields
By: John McCrae (1872-1918)
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. >>> Read more!
Monday, May 25, 2009
This Memorial Day
Posted by Aberdeener at 6:52 AM
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48 comments:
Amen.
On this Memorial Day I would like to inform all the voters of Aberdeen of my firsthand view of the Memorial Day Service held today in Cliffwood Beach at the VFW Post. I do sincerely apologize to all if my post offends you as this gets a little political.
As a Veteran I was deeply touched once again by the outpouring of respect shown to our Servicemen and Servicewomen at the services today. The service was well organized and once again very touching. That was right up until the all too typical political speeches given by Mayor Sobel and Councilman Tagleareni. Whom I should point out both immediately left the proceedings and did not care to share a bite to eat with those in attendance.
I would however like to commend Councilwoman Gumbs, Councilman Raymond, Councilman Perry, Town Manager Crisculolo and even Chief of Police John Powers all of whom as I now recall were not even recognized or announced to the crowd as even being present by Mayor Sobel or Councilman Tagleareni during their obvious politically motivated speeches. It was also obvious that Mayor Sobel and Councilman Tagleareni had to make a very quick appearance and both of them very quickly left as soon as they plied the political message to the crowd.
It was very sad to see these two politicians use such an occasion for votes. I can assure you my wife and I were not the only ones who noticed or discussed their obvious and very insulting actions. My wife said it before I could get the words out of my mouth, just two typical politicians that Sobel and Tagleareni. She also told me on the way home we are not going to vote this year and I agree after what I saw today.
Finally I would like to tell Councilman Perry how much I enjoyed talking to him. I was also very impressed with the fact that he is a West Point Graduate. He did not tell me of that fact as I was told that by a fellow VFW member after he left at the conclusion of the meal. I was even further disappointed when I was also told that Councilman Perry was not running for election this year.
Finally to all of my fellow veterans I urge you to always remember our fallen and injured comrades and to take great pride every single day that we proudly served the greatest nation on earth.
I was there also, I am not a fan of the current council but would disagree with the previous post. Sobel is not running again, what is his motive? Taglerani and Sobel were both called upon, it was a nice service and is every year.
I disagree with you disagree. It is a gentlmanly thing for a man like the Mayor to recognize and acknowledge his fellow town leaders during such an event. As for Mayor Soble not running again perhaps he has seen the writing on the walls for most incumbents. The other man described I have not heard of and think he also should have recognized those who took the time to attend the services. It is also quite telling that they left immediately and did not take a little time to eat with the other attendees. As for Mr Perry I also thought he was a good councilman. I have heard repeatedly that he was not popular with the other council people or their boss.
It says a lot to me that he was a W.P. graduate as well. He should have been our next Mayor. Perhaps he will reconsider and run again.
Back to the day we commemorate. Happy Memorial Day to all who served and to all those who paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedoms, especially for our right to vote. I know how I will vote this year after today as well.
Maybe the council members who left had another important place to go? Do you know where tey went? This town is important to me as well, do you show up to the beach cleanup? The council meetings? The BOE meetings? I honored the Vets today as well, but I also have a family that I would like to spend time with on my day off.
It seems as though they had enough time to make their political speeches though. Explain that one. Explain the snub to their cohorts who they failed to recognize who took the time to not only attend but who stayed a considerable time after the their two fellow council people plied their political wears. Then departed the area immediately after a few handshakes.
I understand that people have places to go. I understand that everything a politician or candidate attends turns political whether those attending want it to or not. I also understand that Mayor Sobel and candidate Tagliarini shortchanged those attending and their fellow leaders in the process to electioneer at a solemn event.
Typical politicians was said before. It was right on the mark for those two. Did anyone see candidate Lauro, Councilman Drapken or Councilman Vinci at the VFW services?
Thank you to all who served our great country.
Each one spoke for less than 1 minute, it didn't seem very political to me. It seems the people are more upset that they didn't stay. Drapkin is recovering from surgery maybe that's why he wasn't there. The others may have left because they had somewhere else to go.
I am not bothered that political leaders give speeches at Memorial Day events. I thank them for attending to honor our fallen heroes. Let's remember what Memorial Day is really all about.
It is not about politicians giving speeches. It is not about people currently serving. It is not about those who have served in the past. It is not about the VFW. We have a holiday for that, it is called Veterans Day.
It is about those Americans who have given the supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives while in military service, so that we can continue to live in freedom.If we are going to read off any names in public, perhaps we should announce the names of all residents of Matawan and Aberdeen that have given their lives in combat for our freedom.
In front of the VFW there is a monument for Marine Lance Cpl. Phillip E. Frank, he was a graduate of Matawan Regional High School and gave his life on April 8th 2004 in Anbar Province Iraq. He was only 20 years old. Let us hope that he will be the last resident to make this sacrifice.
God Bless him, his family and all those who came before him.
Thank You to ALL who attended our ceremonies to honor and remember our fallen heroes yesterday.
Ken Aitken
Quartermaster VFW Post 4745
I agree with Ken on the subject of the memorial day event being once again sadly politicized. On the other hand I also agree with KoreaVet when he points out the obvious. Two politicians had enough time to make speeches and yet not point out the other leaders who took the time to attend the event. Enough said on that.
The day was marked for those who served and who live with their injuries as well as those who paid the ultimate price that one person can give for their country. The day was to honor those who gave their lives so that two politicians could freely attend such an event and take away from the intent and somber event.
Can any of us be surprised by such conduct? I am not. They are typical shameless and self absorbed politicians who merely attended the event as instructed. They were probably even told what to say after all the election season is underway. I should point out that my republican candidates attended the event no less shamelessly. They of course were not given the opportunity to speak and electioneer nor were they recognized by those who gave their speeches. Slugs!
For all those that are bitching about the Mayor and council at the VFW Service , I am wondering where you all were for the Memorial Service at Town Hall in the morning. All councilman were their except Perry. I don't see Police, Fire or the First Aid saying anything about him. I ahve been going to both services for years and the Mayor and Council have been going to both for years with the same speeches, only now because its election time do you bitch about it. Grow UP. Like Ken said this is not about politics its about remembering our fallen heros.They have been attending for years so stop trying to start something. As for not staying after the ceremony, did you ever think they may have had other obligations, either personal or another service. They were already at two of them. Where were you in the morning?
Forgive me but isn't Memorial day a day to remember the fallen who paid the ultimate price to defend our country? When did Memorial Day become a day for Firemen?
Do not get me wrong I am very thankful for the fine work our first responders provide, which is often done without compensation. However, Memorial day is a day to remember those who fought in wars, conflicts, police actions or whatever the latest politically correct term is nowadays for those who serve our country.
It seems that some who are pointing out the insulting political involvement in the celebration of the day are being attacked by those merely defending their fellow political hacks.
The truth is a terrible thing.
Attack away.
Well said Jack. I also agree that our brave first responders deserve much credit and appreciation in the least for their service to the community. I do not know how Memorial day has become a shared event. That aside the politicians press the flesh every chance they get no matter what occasion they have to attend. I mean once the political lies start it is as if they have a mind and life of their own. In Aberdeen we all know who's mind the lies come from.
I am hoping this one topic does not get trashed with the use of that one name we all despise so vehemently.
thatsafctjack and MRHS alum, where either of you there? I was and don't feel like it was political at all, just my point of view, I didn't vote for any dems in our town last election and am at times critical of them, they spoke for 30 seconds or so each (Sobel and Tags).
I ask a simple question as not to confuse the situation. Did they have to speak just because they were politicians? Either of them servicemen? Why did not Councilman Perry speak? After all he is a West Point Graduate and an Army Veteran according to reports? Did Mayor Sobel or Councilman Tagliarini serve their country?
Here is another one for you to think about. How is it the most junior member of the town council leadership was allowed to speak? Is it because he was anointed to do so by -----?
It was a ceremony that should have honored veterans and should not have been used by a politician seeking office.
Try and just answer one of these questions.
The memorial service that takes place at town hall is the firefighters memorial service. It takes place at the firemans monument and is put on by the fire department. I am sorry if that offends anyone but it has been going on for as long as I can remember. We dont mean to take away from any other services and I apologize if some feel we do. There is no specific day to honor the men who served the township in the fire department and have answered their last call. The firefighters and the VFW have a mutual respect for each other. They attend our services every year and have never displayed or brought to our attention any problems with our services. The fire department also attends services at the VFW every year. As I said earlier, I apologize if we offend some people. We are really just honoring the brothers we have lost throughout the years. I see Memorial Day as a day to remember those who dedicated their lives to the greater good of their fellow man. These firefighters have done that and I believe they deserve the service performed in their honor. I am sorry that there are those of you out there that don't.
Perhaps some do not understand that most of the problems people had were with politicians present and the fact that they insulted their fellow leaders by their actions. Enough said so let it go!
Thank you anonymous above. You are correct. This is a sevice to honor our fallen members of years past and most recent six, yes six, members this past year. It is the firefighters Memorial Service. While Mr. Sobel did speak, he spoke briefly and no mention of any politics and only thanking us volunteers for our dedicated service as he does every year. Hey JACK, where were you? And when did Memorial Day become identified as a memorial service just for our veterens? Why don't you ask most, if not all, of the Fire Companies in the Bayshore what they do on Memorial Day. I bet you they all say the same thing.
Jack, get of your arrogant horse and stop making everything into a political connection and let us honor our fallen.
By the way, I do not support Mr. Sobel for what he stands for as Mayor but it was a nice speech and appreciated by every firefighter, EMS person and Ladies Auxiliary member there.
I am the above poster and it just pissed me off that someone would question our memorial service. Mr.FF I am guessing you are on district #1. I am on district #2.
The mayor only spoke for a brief time and gave honor to our fallen heros's. If Obama was to come to town and said the same exact thing Sobel did would anyone have a problem with that? The likely answer is "no", it was not political, he is the Mayor of town, move on. I was there and didn't feel it was political and I didn't vote for Sobel in the last election. I repect all the vets and what they have done and continue to do for all of us.
OK let us go back to the beginning. Mayor Sobel and Candidate Tagliarini spoke. Right?
Then Sobel and Tagliarini failed to acknowledge their fellow leadership members and our Chief of Police. All who took time out of their busy schedules, right?
So why then if speeches were to be made, why then did not all leadership present make one. Why did candidate Tagliarini speak at a VFW building ceremony and not a fellow councilman who actually served in the military. Did Sobel or Tagliarini serve time in defense of their country?
Come on people this should not have been about politicians making speeches. If one makes a speech they all should have made one.
The speeches were not the biggest mistake of the day as I find the failure by Sobel or candidate Tagliarini to recognize the others present to be far worse.
Let Mayor Sobel and candidate Tagliarini answer for that. If they don't care about their fellow leadership people what kind of consideration will they give the taxpayers.
"And when did Memorial Day become identified as a memorial service just for our veterens?"
FYI, according to "WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA"
"MEMORIAL DAY, or Decoration Day, is a patriotic holiday in the United States. It is a day to honor American servicemen (& service women)who gave their lives for their country. Originally, Memorial Day honored men who died in the Civil War. It now also honors those who died in the Spanish-American War, World War I & WWII, The Korean War, the Vietnam War, and all wars and conflicts thereafter."
Lets get the facts straight!
I don't have a problem with our fine brave firefighters using the day for their own memorial service. My problem is with politicians who use such occasions for political gain.
On another point I also find the fact that Sobel and the Freddy Boy did not acknowledge the other elected officials that took the time to show up. Then Sobel and Freddy Boy left without breaking bread with the veterans that welcomed them and offered them a meal. It was not just disrespectful it just so typical of politicians and their true intentions when attending such events. Lie to the people then exit stage right as soon as possible is their rule.
I am sure you are so glad that you joined up with the Democrats. Right Freddy Boy? You will get what you deserve. Start doing sit ups as you will need a strong stomach to field the questions sure to come along the campaign trail.
Aberdeener,
Who are the council candidates? I only have heard that Jimmy Lauro is running? Who are the rest of the candidates? Who are the republicans running? Is it true that a former democrat councilman is now the president of the republicans? It seems like Kauff has contacts on both sides now.
I am independent and want to vote for the best people. Do the parties have websites that I can read?
I am so upset with the comments on this blog i do not know were to begin. My son is serving our country and all you people think about who spoke and why the Mayor did not introduce the council members. If it is negative comments it is ok. I wish to thank all who did not find it robbery to join in the service. For all of the veterans I pray to God one day my son will join in a service as important as this one.
If you want to vote for the best people vote for anyone not associated with KAUFF. Enough said. That man has his hands in Aberdeen, Marlboro, Manalapan and Hazlet. The only one not touched by arrests and worse is Aberdeen. So far that is. But let us look at Kauffs accomplishments to date. They will be listed below.
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Oops i forgot he has not done a thing unless you count the thievery and corruption involving Corren, CME, Every budget process, Developer shakedowns and ethical lapses and legal involvements on both sides of the process, illegal Sunshine Law violation meetings, over billing for legal services rendered repeatedly or improperly performed, repeated studies on environmentally sensitive properties every election year for campaign funneled cash and the list goes on and on...............
Heaven help Aberdeen if Kauff gets in again!
As a mother who posted the comment about her son serving in the war. I was taking back by the comment after. Here i am worrying about the safety of my son, and the next comment is about NORMAN KAUF. You people just do not care if the topic is not negative about our elected officals than any other comment is just past by. Our elected officals have a huge task trying to save jobs, and protected the residents. but because you do not agree it is criminal. Everything is hearsay this blog is not a court just a bunch of cowards. I hope the Dems get control again for the next 4 years if this is the behavior of the other party it will destroy our town.
Ps. Cme is the professional eng group hired by our elected officals. If they can arrest Mayor Vas for paying for his son basketball camp, Were is the big arrest in aberdeen.
Hopefully the arrests are coming soon. Until then you can just sit there and keep picking apart the inputted information. Kauff is strangling our taxpayers. Kauff is causing many of your friends to lose their homes and far more. Don't think so just try selling your home and see what the real estate people will tell you. "You really have to drop your price because the taxes are so high". $1.5 million dollars to CME. The the Kauff reality will bite you on your ass.
Look at how many of the older senior citizens are selling and moving away due to the taxes. These are sad realities of Kauff and his corrupt fiends. Not friends, fiends. That is what they are.
By the way I appreciate your sons service to his country. He like many others fight to keep our freedoms. Unfortunately one of those freedoms is that political hacks like the much maligned and notoriously corrupt Norman Kauff Esq. are free to fleece the taxpayers. So if you get your wish you will get four more years of Kauff. I hope you and your exorbitant taxes will be very happy.
By the way you should worry about your son as that is what Mothers do. You worry about your son and let the rest of us worry about corrupt politicians and their boss. Kauff is killing Aberdeen even if you don't think so.
I'M BACK.
I APOLOGIZE TO THOSE WHO WONDERED WHERE I WAS. JUST SO YOU KNOW I WAS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF APPALACHIA ON A RELIGIOUS BUILD. MY OLD CONGREGATION IN ELIZABETH BUILT SOME HOMES RECENTLY AND I PITCHED IN. NO APPLAUSE OR COMMENT NECESSARY THANK YOU. IT DOES A HEART GOOD IS ALL I CAN SAY.
BACK TO MY FAVORITE SUBJECT KAUFF.
NOTHING NEW ON THE HOME FRONT UNFORTUNATELY. NO ARRESTS OR SWEEPS WHILE I WAS AWAY? TOO BAD.
AS FOR THE GENERATOR THING WITH THE OLD MANAGER THAT ONE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY IGNORED. THEY KNOW IT IS TRUE THAT IS WHY. JUST A LITTLE GIFT FOR A RETIRING AND A SO HELPFUL FRIEND FROM THE BIGGEST POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR? RIGHT NORM?
THANKS TO PINCH HIT BY THE WAY FOR FILLING IN.
Once again a Kauff post where it doesn't belong, can the Aberdeener please do something about this. Can we please post things where they belong? PS - No one missed you TRUTH!
It is ALL KAUFF ALL THE TIME. Don't you people realize the damage this man Kauff does to the taxpayers and the real costs from our monies stolen by Kauff and his associates. It is not just politics as usual, it is far worse. keep doubting the truth and others while Kauff bleeds us dry.
I agree with the anonymous posting. kauff is killing aberdeen. our town deserves better. For that matter our state deserves better. Too bad the green party is so lame.
I missed the truth no matter what the kauff people say. They sound off on the truth but not on generators, money, cme and more. Just keep deflecting the truth as that is your job for kauff incorporated.
If all that Kauff is doing is true go out and do something. Typing on here is not getting it done, haven't you figured that out yet?
To the last post you say go ahead and worry about son. I worry everyday not just for my son but for all who serving this country. This topic was about Memorial Day service not Kauf. Mr Warren I am so upset with you the owner on this blog to not comment about anything other than the boe and trashing the elected officals. Kauf did not fly the planes into the world trade center, you people are so unconcern about what someone else is going thru. Abderdeen is no different than any other town having to make choices. Thank you when i write my son tonight i will tell him to stay strong and come home safely thanks for nothing....
IT IS SO SAD A MOTHER MADE A COMMENT AND WE SHOWED NO SUPPORT TO HER. AS A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY, AND A PARENT PLEASE TELL HIM SOME CITIZENS ARE PROUD OF WHAT HE IS DOING TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY.
MR. WARREN HOW ABOUT LETS STICK TO THE TOPIC ME KAUF DOES NOT NEED TO BE MENTIONED EVERY POST.
Anon,
I'm sorry you're upset with me. This site is dedicated to the exchange of ideas which naturally involves politics. As a BOE member, I've essentially ended the investigative reporting and mostly focus on school issues.
Regarding Memorial Day, I don't have anything to add to "In Flanders Fields".
As for other items, I hope you participate in this Sunday's community-wide garage sale or sign up for recyclable pickup email reminders.
If you'd like to read about daily happenings in our town, or general points of interest, I highly recommend Aberdeen NJ Life.
I don't care for the barrage of off-topic comments but I prefer restraint to censorship and I recognize it's an election year.
God bless your son and bring him home safe. His service gives us the freedom to have this blog.
and with that, please let the era of the truth and his other "personalities" come to an end
Yeah sure let the one person who keeps the light shining on the corrupt Kauff just go away. Would that really make you happy?
Not going to happen!
Kauff is corrupt get used to it.
Kauff costs every taxpayer money for his corrupt activities and friends largess.
F NK!
ANSWER THE F'N QUESTIONS NORMAN.
I HEAR THAT VERY SOON A POLITICAL HIGHLIGHT TOUR IS STARTING UP TO SHOW EVERYONE THE CORRUPT POLITICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF ABERDEEN.
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR WILL BE JUST SOME OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
1. THE HOUSE WHERE BRIAN MURPHY ASSAULTED DICK WOLF.
2. THE HOUSE THAT NORMAN KAUFF LIVES IN ON INJUSTICE LANE.
3. THE LAND BARON HOME AND $1.00 PROPERTIES ACQUIRED BY VINCI.
4. THE CONDOS QUESTIONABLY OWNED OVER THE YEARS BY KAUFF AND CORREN.
5. THE CONDO UNIT OWNED BY MINUTOLO
6. THE VEHICLE USED TO DELIVER THE CORREN GENERATOR GIFT FROM C - -.
7. THE EXACT SPOT IN THE TOWN HALL PARKING LOT WHERE NORMAN KAUFF SHOOKDOWN THE DEVELOPER FOR THE SOUTH RIVER DEVELOPMENTAL SITE.
8. THE BEACH AREA SO LONG IGNORED BY KAUFF AND CORREN.
9. THE DORMANT FACTORY THAT PEOPLE WERE TOLD AS THEY BOUGHT THEIR HOUSES 'THE TOWN WOULD BE REMOVING' THAT VERY SOON.
10. THE FAILED AND UNHEALTHFUL SEPTIC SYSTEM AREA OF ABERDEEN THAT TOWN OFFICIALS HAVE IGNORED FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS.
GET YOUR TOUR TICKETS EARLY.
RESERVE NOW FOR THE SPECIAL TOUR ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT OF THE KAUFF RESIDENCE. SEE THE TRUE HOME OF THE ABERDEEN CRYPT KEEPER NORMAN KAUFF.
Get a life.
That last one was really funny from THE TRUTH. Just don't forget to include the overflow parking lot on Gerard Street that never happened in your tour. It's seems all right with our local leaders that people park on our front lawns every night or day that a game is going on. After all they don't live here. And the only one who does only cares about himself. Typical selfish politician bought and paid for.
Tom Perry for Mayor. Come election day write it in. If for not other reason to have someone as a mayor that Kauff cannot control.
Yes it is all about Kauff.
He is like a bad penny he keeps showing up even though his value is not only hurts the system. It costs more to have pennies in the system then it is worth. Ala Norman Kauff.
We will write Pery's name in and we will only vote for Christie. We don't know enough about Mr. Lauro other then we hear he is attached at the hip to that low life Vincenzo Vinci. That is enough for us to not vote for Mr. Llauro. We hope Kauff will learn a lesson this time around. Candidate Cannon is insignificant. Montone is a Kauff robot. Cannon is in for a rude awakening on election day. We hope he is ready to handle the demanding and instructive phone calls from Kauff. The ones telling him not to attend certain meetings and how to vote on everything according to Kauff at all of the other meetings. We hear these phone calls to most every council and board member just before meetings happens a lot. So much for independent thought and effective leadership. Obviously Aberdeen is just a puppet show.
I will write Councilman Perry in for Mayor as well. West Point graduate. Veteran, and Lawyer. I will not hold the last one against him.
On election day Mayor Perry it is.
Anybody who can get under Norman's skin gets my vote. The others under Kauff control deserve nothing but my disdain and contempt. Especially you neighbor Soble.
I hear Councilman Perry was not at the weekend council meeting. Where was the write in Mayor? Anyone know?
Councilman Perry was on vacation with his family. Just so you know.
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