Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - Bernie Kofoet, right, a member of the American Legion FW Grigg Post #68 and the incoming Commander of Camden County Veterans Advisory Committee, salutes the flag during a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony on board the Battleship New Jersey, Dec. 7, 2021. Kofoet was presented the Peter Molnar Award, presented yearly at the Pearl Harbor Ceremony to an individual who has been significantly involved with veterans activities in the county and across the state. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
CAMDEN, N.J. (Tribune News Service) — On Dec. 7, 1941, the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in the then territory of Hawaii was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service aircraft in a surprise military strike, killing 2,403 service members and civilians.
And even 80 years later, across the country, the day still lives in infamy and those who died are not forgotten.
Tuesday, a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration was held aboard the Battleship New Jersey “to pay tribute to Pearl Harbor survivors and to all veterans who served and lost their lives protecting our great nation.”
The ceremony was presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners & Gloucester County Board of Commissioners.
Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane spoke of, “Just how fortunate we feel to have the Battleship New Jersey here to be able to gather on this day.
“Not everyone has that opportunity to mark this solemn anniversary on board a battleship that has historical significance.”
A military veteran walks toward the Battleship New Jersey, where a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony took place, presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners & Gloucester County Board of Commissioners. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
At a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony that took place on board the Battleship New Jersey, a Vietnam Veteran’s jacket is adorned with patches including one, upper left, that honors Ted Sampley, a fellow American Vietnam War veteran and activist, who primarily advocated for service members still considered missing in action or prisoners of war (POW-MIA). (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
Members of Warriors’ Watch Riders (a vaterans support organization) at Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony, which took place on board the Battleship New Jersey. At right is Lisa Marie Brunner, of South Hampton, who is also an American Gold Star Mom of EN-3 Benjamin Allen, who was an engineman aboard the USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego. After the ceremony she said, “I’m here to honor my son and all his shipmates that are still aboard. ... My son passed in 2019 and all of his crewmates, his shipmates, his captains, were so gracious to me when everything happened. Memorialize this day and remember the young men and women who are still serving.” (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
Bernie Kofoet, left, a member of the American Legion FW Grigg Post #68, stands during a “Medley of the Military Hymns” performed by John Stanz, right, and the Eastern High School Band at a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony on board the Battleship New Jersey. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
Music was provided by John Stanz and the Eastern High School Band at a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony on board the Battleship New Jersey. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
After a program of speakers, Kane and veteran Bernie Kofoet, a member of the American Legion FW Grigg Post #68, tossed a memorial wreath into the Delaware River off the bough of the 887-foot long, 45,000-ton Iowa class battleship, which is permanently docked in Camden as a museum and memorial.
Kofoet, who is the incoming Commander of Camden County Veterans Advisory Committee, was awarded the Rev. Peter A. Molnar medal, which is presented yearly at the Pearl Harbor Ceremony to an individual who has been significantly involved with veterans activities in the county and across the state.
Looking forward to his new post, which he will assume Wednesday night, Kofoet says he has some ideas and hopes to move the committee forward, continuing his personal mission.
“We need to not forget our vets today,” he said after the program, “Particularly in Camden County. There’s over 23,000 veterans in Camden County. We need to make sure they’re getting the services they need.”
Kofoet said he also recognizes the role ceremonies play in helping veterans and their families feel supported. He pointed out as an example, the Harleigh Cemetery, a historic rural cemetery located in both Collingswood and Camden.
“Last year there was no wreath placing ceremony at Christmastime ... and I’m hoping the committee can pick that up as a project and that next year we can place a wreath on every grave in that cemetery for all the veterans from Camden County that are buried there, so, we’re looking forward to the future.”
A memorial wreath is tossed into the Delaware River from the Battleship New Jersey by Bernie Kofoet, left, a member of the American Legion FW Grigg Post #68, and Camden Commissioner Melinda Kane as part of a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
A memorial wreath floats in the Delaware River after being tossed there by Bernie Kofoet, a member of the American Legion FW Grigg Post #68, and Camden Commissioner Melinda Kane as part of a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
Camden Commissioner Melinda Kane, right, holds her hand over her heart during a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony on board the Battleship New Jersey, presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners & Gloucester County Board of Commissioners. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
Bugler Greg Murphy, of Eriel, a member of Bugles Across America, plays taps on board the Battleship New Jersey during a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
The color guard of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1775, Oaklyn, New Jersey on the deck of the Battleship New Jersey during a Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration ceremony. (Michael Mancuso, nj.com/TNS)
The Camden County Veterans Advisory Committee is composed of 18 different military organizations and Kofoet says he sees his charge is “to bring those people together.”
Several members of veterans support organization Warriors’ Watch Riders were in attendance.
“I’m here to honor my son and all his shipmates that are still aboard (The USS Pearl Harbor),” said Lisa Marie Brunner, of South Hampton, an American Gold Star Mom of EN-3 Benjamin Allen, who was an engineman aboard the USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego.
“My son passed in 2019 and all of his crewmates, his shipmates, his captains, were so gracious to me when everything happened.
“Memorialize this day and remember the young men and women who are still serving.”
John Stanz and the Eastern High School Band contributed music during the program including a “Medley of the Military Hymns” to close the program and the Marine Corps league 1775 detachment presented the colors and provided a rifle salute.
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