People came from throughout northern New Jersey on May 24 to pay tribute to the 65 Jersey City residents who perished during the Vietnam War and the dozens who died later as a result of wounds or other problems incurred in the war.
One by one, they strode up the paved path to the gravestone set in place as a tribute near the Pershing Field pavilion, placing red roses before it in tribute to loved ones.
Some visitors paused to salute. Some touched the cool stone with the tips of their fingers. Others hurried away, choked with emotion.
A second monument was dedicated those who died after they came back, an ongoing tribute to those who carried back from their service injuries to which they later succumbed. With nine new names added this year, the monument pays tribute to 63 who died after their return.
These new additions were Mike Brennan, Anthony Buckley, Martin Connor, John Davis, Mark Gajewski, Joseph Ganley, Joseph Giaimo, Martin Orlando and James Hanrahan.
“People come back from war damaged.” – Jamie Vazquez
____________
According to Jamie Vasquez, a former Jersey City councilman and Vietnam veteran, many soldiers suffered from the aftereffects of Agent Orange – a defoliant used to clear the jungle –
post-traumatic stress syndrome, and other problems associated with the war.
“People come back from war damaged,” he said.
He talked about the emotional baggage warriors bring back and the need for the community to support them. He also pointed out that Jersey City has eliminated its office for veteran services.
But organizers said that Hudson County still maintains an office to provide services to veterans. Freeholder Anthony Romano offered his assistance to those who needed to get help.
The man who kept their memories alive
The most prominent of those named on the second monument was David Cline who was credited with establishing this annual ceremony for Vietnam Veterans.
Cline, a native of Buffalo, N.Y. who settled in Jersey City in the 1970s, had served in Vietnam in the U.S Army in the 35th Infantry Division from 1967 until 1969. Before he passed away in 2007, Cline led the fight to get the community center in Pershing Field renamed the Heights Vietnam Veterans Memorial Community Center.
Twenty years ago, Cline heard that Jersey City had a plaque dedicated to Vietnam veterans and that it was on display at the Five Corners Library. But when he and others went to look at it, they discovered it was not on display, but in storage in the basement. The plaque was brought to Pershing Field and installed in the center, which was renamed as a center honoring those who fought in Vietnam.
Family
Deirdre Healey, a Bayonne resident, came to honor her father Kenneth and her father’s best friend, both from Jersey City. Her father is among those who died later after returning from the war. She spoke extemporaneously about them because she felt she needed to speak up.
“I felt that I should say something about him,” she said.
Brian Gajewski, also of Bayonne, talked about his father, Mark Gajewski. He said for years, stressed affected his father, and eventually brought about his death.
“He never talked about the war,” he said.
A tradition at Pershing Field
Every year since 1998, there has been a Memorial Day ceremony at Pershing Field on Summit Avenue to remember veterans of all wars, especially the Vietnam War.
John Stanton, president of the Jersey City Vietnam Veterans Committee, pointed out that this ceremony held on Memorial Day wasn’t just in tribute to Vietnam Veterans, but all those U.S. military people who gave their lives in conflict.
“Some kids don’t even know about Memorial Day,” he said. “It’s a sad thing. They think it’s for sales and barbecues, but you know it’s not. It’s to honor the people that served our country.”
Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
City Council President Rolando Lavarro, representing the mayor and council, said events like these keep the memory of veterans alive.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.