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RED. WHITE. BLUE.
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo Scouts James English, Matt Strawder, Kevin Hyschenko and Robert Rizzolo, all from Troop 29, stand among thousands of American flags on the lawn of Timothy E. Ryan Funeral Home. |
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Three simple colors, multiplied by thousands, can make a very big statement.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 29, Toms River, placed 4,317 American flags on the lawn of the Timothy E. Ryan Funeral Home at 145 St. Catherine's Boulevard last week, in a Veterans Day tribute to honor those Americans who have served and died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After school hours, about 15 Scouts from the troop, sponsored by the St. Joseph's Knights of Columbus, planted the thousands of flags on the front lawn in cooperation with Silver Holiday VFW Post 10185. The flags were provided by the funeral home.
Tim Ryan said the sea of red, white and blue on the lawn is for "those who have sacrificed."
"The numbers are startling," Ryan said at a ceremony on Friday at the funeral home. The ceremony was attended by more than 200 veterans and friends. "It makes no dif- ference if you are for or against the war. This is for those who have sacrificed."
Colonel Alphonse Stephenson, command chaplain of New Jersey Army and Air Force National Guard, addressed the crowd.
"This great effort is to remind people of the thousands who have made the ultimate sacrifice," said Stephenson.
He went on to describe the scene at a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, where wounded soldiers are brought in, "directly from battle, sometimes still in uniform," as a scene he will never forget.
"I was not prepared for what I saw," said the chaplain, whose job it was to administer words of hope to the injured soldiers upon their arrival to the hospital. Stephenson described the scene as "horrific."
"These are real things that are happening," he said. "The Army and Air National Guard used to be called weekend warriors. We are in a new ball game, now," said Stephenson, as many units are literally being placed on the front lines of battle.
"They have answered America's call," said the Roman Catholic chaplain. "We must support those who fight."
Troop 29 wanted to do their part, said Scoutmaster Kathleen Strawder, with troop leader Walter Hyschenko.
"This was a wonderful project for the Scouts to be involved in. It's very moving and emotional," she said, looking over the lawn filled with American flags.
Boy Scout members said they were happy to honor our soldiers, both past and present.
"It's a nice tribute to honor those who have fallen," said Matt Strawder, 14.
"The soldiers made a great effort," added Kevin Hyschenko, 13.
Fellow Scouts in attendance James English and Robert Rizzolo said the project honoring the soldiers was fulfilling. "It will help us remember."
VFW Post 10185 commander Vito Fiore, Post Chaplain Michael Vacca and post members Francis Moore and Ralph Bove said that the sight of the memorial flag tribute on the expanse of the lawn was stunning.
"The Boy Scouts did a beautiful job. We were amazed," said Fiore.
"It looks like Arlington National Cemetery out there," said Bove, waving his hand to the spacious lawn covered in flags.
"They did a terrific job," agreed post member and Army veteran Herb Geller, a color guard member and senior vice commander of post 10185, adding, "I am proud of the way the schools are more patriotic today."
"They should be commended for their effort," said Tony Grace, a Navy Korean War veteran.
Toms River Elks Chairman Rudy Lucrezi, and Philip Reed, chief of staff and a past commander of 10185, said the sight of the 4,317 flags "brings it home."
"Our soldiers are doing a great job," added Pete Vallaro, post member. "We should back them up to the hilt."
Youngest at the ceremony were 7-month-oldtwins Tommy and Keri Renkin, with dad, Tom, a Ryan employee, and mom, Kristin.
"The Scouts did a beautiful job," said the new father, as he cradled his son. "They worked very hard."
Toms River Mayor-elect Thomas Kelaher was also in attendance.
"This was a wonderful project to honor our fallen military," said Kelaher, a United States Marine veteran and 28-year Reserve member. "Mr. Ryan should be commended for hosting the event."
Ryan said that the flag display, "is not about politics."
"It makes no difference if you are for or against the war. This project honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "Seeing is believing … The flag display is a very visual and dramatic way of honoring the sacrifices of so many brave American men and women."
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