It was a sight not regularly seen at the recent North Bergen Board of Commissioners meetings. All thoughts of politics, of nasty accusations and allegations, were firmly tossed aside. There was a presentation occurring, one that demanded the attention of the packed chambers, with an air of silence that could only mean respect.
The Board of Commissioners were presenting official proclamations to the 15 township residents who were scheduled to receive a Distinguished Medal of Honor from the New Jersey Department of Military Affairs last month, only to have the ceremony canceled due to the events of Sept. 11.
Some of the men were able to collect their long-deserved medals at a ceremony in Teaneck Wednesday morning, but most had to receive their awards via mail, without the pomp and circumstance that comes with receiving a prestigious honor.
So Wednesday night’s commissioners’ meeting served as a way for the township to say thanks, a way for the honorees and in some cases, their families, to receive their overdue recognition – and for everyone to realize that the nation is probably on its way to produce war heroes of the future, especially after the terrorist attacks and the air strikes of Afghanistan that began Sunday.
"When we were first supposed to get the medals, I was sick and wasn’t going to be able to go," said Ingatius Pizzo, who served as an Army corporal in World War II. "Then, the attacks happened, so they told me that they were sending the medal to the house. So having this ceremony means a lot to me, it really does. I appreciate it very much."
So did Andy Ventura, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
"I was supposed to go to get the medal the first time, but then the tragedy canceled it," Ventura said. "Then, I was going to go today, but couldn’t go. This is the first time that I feel I’ve been honored at all. When I came home from Vietnam, the kids were burning the flags and calling us baby killers. It was very discouraging. But this was a special day. I was so happy to be recognized."
Mayor Nicholas Sacco said that it was only a minor token of appreciation for the levels of service that the former soldiers gave.
"We felt that they were well deserving of the honor and on behalf of the township, it was the least that we could do," Sacco said. "I think there’s something about being recognized by your own community. I think it adds to the regular honor. Having them all get together was a real positive thing for everyone, especially in light of what has taken place recently."
Several of the medal winners were on hand for the presentation. Three awards were presented posthumously and each of those three had family representatives present to receive their proclamations.
Those who were present to receive their proclamation were Army Sgt. Joseph Inglese, Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Paul Kuck, Army Private First Class Bernard Schlein, Navy Seaman Raymond Shertel, and Army Technician Henry Perkowski, along with Pizzo and Ventura.
The late Anthony Licamara, an Army corporal, was represented by his widow, Lena. The late Louis Perry, an Army Technician and a neighbor of Mayor Sacco when he was a youngster, was represented by his son, Robert. The late Franky Rzempoluch’s daughter, Terri Fischbach, received the award in honor of her father, a Navy petty officer.
Honorees William Ammerman, Joseph Mezzina, William Kruse, James Menzel and Paul Parisi were not present, but will receive their proclamations later.
The recent events gave the ceremony more of an emotional presence.
"They declared war on us," said Pizzo, after the ceremony. "To tell you the truth, if they gave me a gun, I’d go. I’m 76 years old, but I don’t care. This was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It was like an atom bomb. All these people are gone. I think we have to do something about it and I’m glad we are. We should keep it up until they’re all gone."
Although travel plans have been changed all over the world, Pizzo is undaunted.
"I’m going to Rome at the end of the month to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary," he said. "I went for 25 and I’m going for 50. They’re not going to stop me."
Ventura said that he’s experienced the sense of pride and patriotism since the attack.
"People have to know what the American flag stands for," Ventura said. "When we were in Vietnam, we had two things to look forward to. Letters from home and remembering what the American flag stood for. That’s the most important thing."
Pictured Above: The North Bergen Board of Commissioners honored the 15 recent recipients of the state Distinguished Medal of Honor from the Military Affairs department. Back from left, are: Charlie Faistl, North Bergen Director of Veteran Affairs; Bernard Schlein, Raymond Shertel, Andrew Ventura, Henry Perkowsky and Robert Perry, representing his late father, Louis. Front, from left, are Reverend Wilcomes, Joseph Inglese, Lena Licamara, representing her late husband, Anthony; Terri Fischbach, representing her late father, Franky Rzempoluch, Commissioner Peter Perez, Ingnatius Pizzo, Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, Commissioner Theresa Ferraro, Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Paul Kuck.