Hoboken's Veterans Honored for Flag Day

Different generations of Hobokenites joined to celebrate the American flag on Monday morning at the Hoboken Business Center. The flag that was raised on top the center was dedicated to Hoboken's veterans. 

Three fifth graders from the Hoboken public schools received prizes for winning an essay contest that evolved around the question "what does flag day mean to you?"

"It means a lot to me," said 11-year-old Briana Melendez, who won a $250 gift card to Foot Locker, "because soldiers are dying every day."

Fifth graders Elias Colon (second place, $150 gift card) and Jesus Velasquez (third place, $100 gift card) read their essays also. Colon, whose dad is a Hoboken Police Officer, mentioned Neil Armstrong's landing on the moon as an example of the flag's importance. 

"When I look at this flag," said Melendez, "it makes me proud."

The veterans, who sat in the chairs on the HBC parking lot Monday morning, said they were happy to be at the event and be honored. 

Vince Wassman, 85—who said he served in World War II and the Korean War from 1950 to 1952—sang 'You're A Grand Old Flag' during the ceremony.

"It's a great honor," said Wassman, "more people should appreciate the American flag. 

Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Congressman Albio Sires attended the event also. Sires, who came to the U.S. at age 11 from Cuba, said this day was very important to him because of all the opportunities America offered him. The ceremony, which was described as the first annual flag day celebration, is the brainchild of Greg Dell'Aquila, the Business Center's landlord. 

"People take it for granted, this holiday," said Sires, who had to rush back to Washington D.C. after the ceremony. "The flag, it stands for freedom."

Fife and drum band Spirit of Liberty was present. The four-person band has been playing since the bicentennial in 1976. Jack O'Brien, one of the band's members, said he has been playing the fife since the 1935 World's Fair.  After the ceremony the attendants could attend an all American lunch made up of macaroni and potato salad, hotdogs, hamburgers and sodas. Cake Boss Buddy Valastro donated a patriotic cake for the event. 

While the students may have been thinking about how to spend their Foot Locker giftcards ("sneakers," said Melendez with a shy smile when asked) and everyone enjoyed their lunch and cake, the larger message of the ceremony did not go unnoticed. 

Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano, the son of a veteran himself, said it's important to remember these holidays, to make sure younger generations appreciate how we got the freedom we enjoy today.

"We have to ensure that our youth never forgets," Romano said.