clifton merchant magazine - may 2012

629 Clifton Ave Clifton

973-777-7364459 Chestnut St U

nion

908-686-5868

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470 Clifton Ave Clifton

973-546-6977

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Clifton Merchant May 2012 5

The Fette Family isBullish about Clifton,Our Hometown.

Founder Henry Fette would

be proud of our new Infiniti

building going up at the inter-

section of Routes 3 and 46.

Henry was a showman

and always proud to pro-

mote and invest in Clifton,

our hometown.

Three decades ago when

he and his son Larry pur-

chased the former Bowlero

building, it was a sign that the

Fette Family is here to stay.

Today, third generation

owner John Fette said he

and his family are proud to

grow with and invest in

Clifton... our hometown.

May 2012 Clifton Merchant6

Table of Contents

Whats Inside?10

12

22

26

28

32

36

40

44

52

Daffodils for my MomChris de Vincks Mothers Day Essay

Our Honored DeadRoll Call of Cliftonites Killed in Action

Matt Lalumia, USMCAt 72, Clifton Roadrunner, Marathoner

Ryan Gable, USMCBehind the Wheel of a 70 Ton Tank

Lou Barbato, US ArmyMountainside Man Grew up in 66

Victor Carucci, KIA, 11/22/44Buried in Ardennes Cemetery, Belgium

Tony Latona, USAF & GuardClifton Firefighter, Military Lifer

Mark Scarpa, US Army2008 CHS Grad Served in South Korea

Military & MarriageDiana and Kevin Beagin

Phil Sharkey, USMCCanadian Native Served in Vietnam

Killed in Action during Vietnam:Donald Scott, Richard Corcoran.Donald Cambell, William Sipos,Bohdan Kowal, Lewis C. Grove.See complete list pages 12-21.

12

40


r

66

70

76

84

88

92

Hope Reformed ChurchA Century of Service at Burgess Place

Teacher of the MonthRich Alberghini at CHS Auto Shop

Bubbles for AutismApril 18 Celebration at School 14

Senior on the MoveFlorri Santosousso is the Spirit of Clifton

Student of the MonthCHS Senior Jocelyn Lee

Wear Purple to Fight CancerRelay For Life is Painting the Town

16,000 Magazines

are distributed tohundreds of Clifton

Merchants on the firstFriday of every month.

Subscribe Page 69

$27 per year $45 for 2 years

Call 973-253-4400

Editor & PublisherTom Hawrylko

Business ManagerCheryl Hawrylko

Graphic DesignerKen Peterson

Staff WriterJoe Hawrylko

Contributing WritersIrene Jarosewich, CarolLeonard, Rich DeLotto,Don Lotz, Jack DeVries 2012 Tomahawk Promotions

1288 Main AvenueDowntown Clifton, NJ 07011

74

76

26

88 84 50


1,410 AND STILL COUNTINGAvenue Flags

By Tom Hawrylko

From the Editor


On May 28, Cliftons Avenue of Flags, which

isonthegroundsofthemunicipalcampus,will

featuresome1,410red,whiteandbluebanners

fromsunuptosundown.EachAmericanflag

issponsoredinmemoryofalivingordeceased

veteran.Flagsarethreebyfivefeetandstandon

a10-footpolewithabrassnameplate.

Walk the grounds and see the flags on

Memorial Day, as well as Flag Day, July 4,

LaborDayandVeteransDay. Thesetupand

breakdownisdonebyvolunteersatdawnand

dusk,someofwhomareina2004filephoto.

TheAvenue of Flags began in 2002 when

founder Walt Pruiksma floated the idea to a

groupofoldsoldiersandsailors. ByVeterans

Day that year, 300 or so flags dressed the

groundsofcityhall. Today,asourcoverpro-

claims,some1,410flagswilldecoratetheroads

around city hall and it is called the largest

exhibit of Old Glory east of the Mississippi

River.Volunteerguidesandmapshelpdonors

towheretheirsponsoredflagisdisplayed.

Volunteers are always needed and there is

alwaysroomtohonoranotherveteran.Tospon-

sor anAmerican flag, which costs $100, visit

DebbieOliveratCliftonRecreationonthesec-

ond floor of city hall or callAvenue of Flags

ChairJohnBiegelJr.at973-519-0858.

s


Moments of Grace

One April long ago when I was a boy, beforeIreachedtheagewhenIachedforspring,mymotheraskedme

togointotheyardandpicksomedaffodilsforthedin-

nertable.Suchideasseemedtopartofmydailylifeas

a child: Why dont you

find some raspberries?

Chrissy, lets go catch

some lizards in thepond.

Whydontwetryandsell

lilacs? Anyone want to

bake potatoes in the

woods.

Do I need the clip-

pers?

No,Chris,mymother

said.Justsnaptheflowers

gently from the bottom of

thestems.

I walked through the

kitchen, held the leaf-

embosseddoorknob,pulled

thedooropen,walkedonto

the porch, down thewood

steps, and onto the grass. I liked the back yard. Pine

treeslinedtheleftside,awallofmountainlaurellined

the right. I felt protected between the two walls of

green.Thegrasswasalwaysthickandwild.

Itiseasytobesidetrackedfromthetaskathand.I

wasaskedtogatherdaffodils,butalreadyIwasnearly

lost among the aroma of moist earth and the active

squirrelrunningtailupintothewoods,annoyedthatI

interruptedhissnackatthebirdfeeder.

Each time I looked in another direction therewas

something else to admire: the maple tree dressed in

newleaves,antsrunningacrosstheredandgrayflag-

stones;Moses,myblackcatstretchedliketaffyonthe

grassunderthespringsun.

Itiseasytoforgettheresponsibilitiesofagiventask

when we are surrounded with images of delight and

beauty,eachoneadistraction.

Chrissy,whatchadoin?mysisterMariacalledout

fromtheupstairswindow.

Imgettingflowers.

Iwalkeddownthesteps

ofconcreteandstone,past

theserious irisplants,past

therosetrellis,untilIstood

beforethelong,thinplotof

freshdaffodils.

I leaned forward like

Ferdinand the Bull and s-

m-e-l-l-e-d the flowers.

Such hints of promise and

hope.

I pulleduponedaffodil

fromthebaseofitsstalk.I

pulled another one, and

another and another. Five.

Ten. Twenty. A bunch for

onehand, and then for the

other.WhenIwasfinished,

Imusthavehadfiftyorsixtyflowers.Ipickedthemall!

Christopher! my mother called out with delight

from behind my back. I didnt realize that she had

joinedmeinthegarden.

Imfinished.Igotthemall.

Mymotherbegantolaugh.Iwillalwaysremember

the laughter ofmymother: full, loud, infectious, and

easily sparked.Of course at the time I didnt realize

that she was laughing with glee and puzzlement

becausesheonlywantedsixor seven flowers for the

dinnertable.IwouldhavepickedallofHolland.

Thedaffodilsbegantooozeatthestems.Mymoth-

ergrabbedabunchandhelditatarmslength,andsoI

held my bunch at arms length, and the two of us

walkedbacktowardthehouselaughing,laughingand

c

T

I

d

a

l

i

DaffodilsEssay by Chris de Vinck

for My Mom


carryingourflamesofspringbeforeus.

My father is 100 and mymother is 90 years old.

TheyliveinthesamehousewhereIgrewup,andwhen

Ibroughtmymotherafewdaffodilsfromthesamegar-

denintothekitchenafewdaysagomymotherlooked

atmeandI lookedather,and thenwebothbegan to

laugh.

HappyMothersDay,momandthankyouforteach-

ingmethesecretsofhappiness.

This essay was excerpted from Dr.Christopher de Vincks 1994 bookSongs of Innocence and Experience.Chris is the Language ArtsSupervisor at CHS and the authorof 13 books. His best known work isThe Power of the Powerless a frankreflection on the struggles and joysof loving his severely disabledbrother. To order his most recentwork, Moments of Grace, call1-800-218-1903 or look for it inbookstores or online.

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11 AM SERVICES AT WAR MONUMENT, MAIN MEMORIAL PARK

The unmarked graves of those killed in Korea was photographed by Joseph Bellanca in 1953. Bellanca, who grew up inBotany Village, was an award winning photojournalist who we profiled in our April edition. The 1948 CHS grad now livesin Passaic and some of his photos are part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art. On the followingpages, the names of Cliftonites killed during war are listed under the wars in which they perished, in a tribute to the Fallen.

MEMORIAL DAY MAY 28, 2012


This Memorial Day...We Salute Americas Veterans

East Ridgelawn Cemetery invites you to visit our Mausoleum on Main

Avenue to pause, reflect and remember the lives of those who have

passed. Visits are unlimited and unaffected by the weather. Crypts are

located in the building and convenient for elderly and handicapped.

Mausoleum entombment provides greater Peace of Mind & Security.

niches mausoleum

garden graves non-sectarian

monumental graves no obligation pre-need counseling

financing available one-year at no interest on easy monthly plans

East Ridgelawn Cemetery255 Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07014

for more information with no obligation call:

973-777-1920

M


World War OneLouis AblezerAndrew BlahutTimothy CondonJohn CrozierOrrie De GrootOlivo De LucaItalo De MattiaAugust De Rose

Jurgen DykstraSeraphin FioriRalph GallassoOtto Geipel

Mayo GiustinaPeter HoroschakEmilio Lazzerin Joseph LiechtyJacob Morf, Jr.

William MorfEdwin C. PetersonRobert H. RoatAlfred SifferlenJames R. StoneCarmelo UricchioAngelo VaretoniMichael VernarecCornelius VisbeckIgnatius WuschingBertie ZanettiOtto B. Zanetti

REMEMBERING OUR HONORED DEAD

The poppy, still associated withMemorial Day, wasinspiredbythepoemInFlandersFieldswrittenby

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

of the Canadian forces in 1915

before the United States entered

WorldWarI.Sellingreplicasofthe

originalFlanderspoppyoriginated

in some of the allied countries

immediately after the Armistice.

Disabledveteransmake thesearti-

ficial flowers, and earn a small

incomeafter theirwork is soldby

membersoflocalveteranspostson

MemorialDay.

MichaelA.WallerDirector

James J. Marrocco CFSP, CPCManager, NJ Lic No. 3320

WWW.MARROCCOS.COM

Angelo Attenello Joseph BelBruno Michael Bilas Anthony Bordonaro Salvatore Calabrese Ronald P. Carline Frank De Lauro

Frank De Stefano Angelo Guerra Thomas Jenkins Fred V. Lombardo James Scullion Gerard J. Sommers Stanley Wax Lloyd M. Whiting

The memory will live forever.Over the past year, we have hadthe privilege of serving the fam-ilies of many veterans. Inrecognition of the service theseveterans rendered to their coun-try, we would like to show ourappreciation this MemorialDay. In memory of their livesand their service, we recall...

470ColfaxAve.Clifton,NJ07013

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World War TwoJoseph SperlingCharles Peterson Thomas Donnellan

Jerry TothFrank LennonJoseph CarboyJulius WeisfeldEdward LadwikIsrael RabkinPeter PagnilloHarold WeeksWilliam WeeksSalvatore Favata Herman AdamsEdward Kostecki

Charles Hooyman, Jr.Salvatore MichelliRichard NovakJames Potter

Adam LiptakJohn Van Kirk

Carlyle MalmstromFrancis GormleyCharles StanchakJoseph Ladwik

Karl GermelmannRobert StevensAlbert Tau

William ScottBenjamin PuzioJames Van NessGregory Jahn

Nicholas StanchakFrank Smith, JrCarl BredahlDonald YahnJoseph Belli

Edwin KalinkaStanley Swift

Charles LotzJoseph PrebolWalter NazarBenedict Vital

Thaddeus BukowskiLeo GrossmanMichael KasheyStephen Messineo

John JanekJohn YanickHerbert Gibb

William NalesnikJoseph SowmaBronislaus PitakHarry TamboerJohn Olear

John KoropchakJoseph NugentSteven GombocsThomas Gula

paid for by Committee to Elect Sheila Oliver

Proudly Serving Assembly District 34... Clifton, Orange, East Orange & Montclair

The Honorable

Sheila Y. OliverSpeaker of New Jersey

15-33 Halsted St., Suite 202 East Orange, NJ 07018973-395-1166 [email protected]

paid for by Committee to Elect Sheila Oliver

Be sure to visit Cliftons Avenue of Flags this Memorial Day, May 28, from 6am-7pm.



World War TwoRaymond CurleyHarry EarnshawJames HenryJohn Layton

Charles MessineoJoseph PetruskaBogert TerpstraJohn Kotulick

Peter VroegindayMichael SobolDonald SangAndew SankoGeorge Zeim, Jr.Robert Van Liere Vernon BrosemanHarold OKeefeEdward Palffy

Dennis SzabadayLewis Cosmano

Stanley Scott, Jr.Charles Hulyo, Jr.Arnold Hutton Frank BarthJohn KanyoBryce Leighty

Joseph BertneskieSamuel BychekLouis NettoDavid Ward

Edward RembiszLawrence ZanettiAlfred Jones

Stephen BlondekJohn Bulyn

Gerhard KadenWilliam LawrenceRobert Doherty

Samuel GuglielmoRobert Parker

Joseph MolsonStephen KuchaJames De BiaseDominick GianniManuel MarcosNicholas PalkoWilliam SlyboomHerman Teubner

Thomas CommiciottoStephen Surgent Albert BertneskieCharles GashPeter Jacklin

Peter Shraga,Jr.John Aspesi

Micheal LadyczkaEdward MarcheseRobert Stephan Roelof Holster, Jr.Alex Hossack



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John ZierPeter HellrigelSteve Luka

Arthur Vanden BreeHarold BakerHans Fester

Patrick ConklinJohn Thompson

Thomas Dutton, Jr.Harold Ferris, Jr.

Donald FredaJoseph Guerra

Edward HornbeckWilliam HromniakStephen PetrilakWayne Wells

Vincent MontalbanoJames MilesLouis Kloss

Andrew KacmarcikJohn Hallam

Anthony LeanzaWilliam Sieper

Sylvester CancellieriGeorge WorschakFrank Urrichio

Andrew MarchincakCarl AndersonGeorge Holmes

Edward StadtmauerKermit Goss

George HuemmerAlexander YewkoEmil Chaplin

John HushlerEdgar Coury

Robert HubingerWilbur LeeVito VeneziaJoseph RussinErnest Yedlick

Charles CannizzoMichael BarberoJoseph PalaganoWilliam HadrysJoseph Hoffer, Jr.Joseph PiccoloJohn RobinsonFrank TorkosArthur MayerEdward JaskotGeorge RussellFrank Groseibl

Richard Van VlietBenjamin BoykoHarry CarlinePaul DominoJohn Fusiak


World War TwoLouis Ritz

William NiaderAlfred AipleMario Taverna

Sebastian De LottoMatthew Bartnowski

John BogertJoseph ColluraMatthew DanielsJames Doland, Jr.Walter DolginkoPeter KonapakaAlfred MasseroniCharles Merlo

Stephen MiskevichJohn PtasienskiLeo Schmidt

Robert Teichman

Louis VuoncinoRichard VecellioRobert HegmannErnest Triemer

John Peterson Richard Vander Laan, Jr.

Stephan KuchaGigito Netto


WeRecallthePostMemberswhoDiedthispastyear...

CliftonMemorialPost347AmericanLegion

Commander Michael Gimon Past Commander Lou Poles

God Bless Our Veterans God Bless America

Angello J. Attenello Frank De Lauro Angelo Guerra Fred V. Lombardo

William M. Masley Matthew Millerferli Roger P. Noakes Walter E. Stefanacci

Memorial Day Weekend CeremoniesSunday, May 27 7 pm - Volunteers decorate the area around the War Monument in Main Memorial Park with American Flags

Monday, May 28 6 am - Avenue of Flags Set-up at City Hall 8:15 am - Fire Dept. Memorial at the Brighton Rd. Firehouse 9 am - Memorial Day Parade, Hepburn Rd. 9:30 am - Allwood Memorial at Chelsea Park 11 am - City Wide Memorial Service at Main Memorial Park Noon - Military Order of Purple Hearts at the Clifton Library 12:30 pm - Post 347 Memorial at the Clifton Rec Center 2 pm - Athenia Veterans Memorial on Huron Ave. 6 pm - Avenue of Flags Take Down at City Hall


Korean WarDonald FrostErnest HausslerWilliam KullerJoseph Amato

Herbert DemarestGeorge ForneliusEdward Luisser

Reynold CampbellLouis Le SterDennis Dyt

Raymond HalendwanyJohn CrawbuckErnest HagberyWilliam Gould

Edward FlanaganWilliam Snyder

Allen HillerArthur GrundmanDonald Brannon

Vietnam WarAlfred Pino

Thomas DandoWilliam SiposBohdan Kowal

Robert Kruger, Jr.Bruce McFadyenCarrol WilkeKeith Perrelli

William ZalewskiLouis Grove

Clifford Jones, Jr.George McClelland

Richard CorcoranJohn Bilenski

Donald CampbellJames Strangeway, Jr.

Donald ScottHoward Van VlietFrank MoormanRobert Prete Guyler Tulp

Nicholas CerratoEdward DeitmanRichard Cyran

Leszek KulaczkowskiWilliam MalcolmLeonard BirdJohn France

Stephen Stefaniak Jr.

Nov. 8, 1961Plane CrashRobert De VogelVernon GriggsRobert MarositzRobert Rinaldi

Raymond ShambergerHarold SkoglundWillis Van Ess, Jr.

Our goal is to list each name accurately and without omission. If you feel there is an error,please write to us with thecorrection. See page 7 forour address. Thank you.

US Army/Special Forces Captain Michael Tarlavsky was killed in Najaf,Iraq on Aug. 12, 2004 and buried with honors in Arlington NationalCemetery on Aug. 24. Tarlavsky, CHS Class of 92, was captain of theSwim Team and enlisted in the Army in1996. He served in Iraq andAfghanistan and was awarded theBronze Star. He is survived by his wifeTricia, their son Joseph, his parents Yuryand Rimma and a sister, Elina. The

Veterans Allianceengraved his nameon the Main AvenueWar Memorial in2004 the first nameadded in 34 years.


On November 22, 1944, Victor Caruccidied as a prisoner of war while under the

watch of German troops. His remains are

buried in Ardennes American Cemetery in

Belgium, alongside thousands of other war

dead from World War II.

For more than six decades, that was essen-

tially all that Frank Carucci knew about his

older brothers passing. The questions sur-

rounding his death plagued him for years,

until his grandson, Michael Carucci, took it

upon himself to uncover the truth in 2004.

When people are captured, you get many

different points, this happened, that hap-

pened, explained Frank, a Lyndhurst native

who has lived in Clifton for 33 years. Did

the Germans shoot them? Kill them? There

were all kinds of reports.

Franks knowledge of his brothers time in

Europe was culled from letters and a few

connections with people who had served

with him.

The Search for ClosureFrank Carucci Tells his Brother Victors Story

By Joe Hawrylko

Victor Carucci,at left, whodied as a NaziPOW in WWII.Also on thepage is the flagthat MaryCarucci flewoutside of herhouse in honorof her threesons thatserved inWWII: Joe, Pat and Vic.

Clifton Veterans


Victor Carucci

was drafted in

January 1942 and

was a machine gun-

ner in the 45th

Division, 157th

Infantry Regiment.

He was one of three

Carucci boys who

served. Their moth-

er, Mary, flew a red flag with three stars (pictured on the

facing page) in honor of Vic and brothers Joe and Pat,

who also served.Frank, the youngest of the six Carucci

boys, was just 14 years old at the time that his second

oldest brother died.

This man probably could have gone on to college

and done well for himself, said Frank, a third generation

Italian-American. He was probably the smartest out of

our family.

You see it all in front of you happening... there are

some things you look back for a long time, he contin-

ued. He knew he wouldnt come back. He told friends

he didnt know when he would come back. He was a fel-

low who had

instincts... The good

Lord put us here for a

reason, and his reason

was to fight for coun-

try and he never com-

plained.

The 45th was

shipped out to North

Africa in late 1943 but

Victor did not participate in that campaign, instead

preparing for the assault on Italy.

He fought in Sicily, then Italy, going into Cassino.

Then the unit was brought together for a rest and moved

on to Anzio.

It was there that Victor was captured by the Germans

on Feb. 23, 1944. He passed away as a POW on Nov. 22

of that same year. The Carucci family had tried in the

past to find out more information about Victor, his

doings in Europe, and what happened in the POW camp,

but gained little perspective. In the 80s, one veteran

claimed that Victor was shot by a German officer, but the

Caruccis doubted his claims.

Victor Carucci died while in a German POWcamp on Nov. 22, 1944. For more than half acentury, his family, led by brother FrankCarucci, tried to find out the circumstancessurrounding his capture and passing. Franksgrandson, Michael, cracked the case after con-ducting a search that began in 2004.


It was not until Franks

grandson Michael became

involved did the family

learn anything new. My

grandson was the one who

found out what hap-

pened, explained Frank.

Everyone who loses

someone likes closure.

It was my sophomore

year of high school that

my father brought me to

Ardennes Cemetery,

said Michael Carucci, a

2001 Queen of Peace

High School graduate.

It was an excellent experience. I got to see the memo-

rial service that they hold there every Memorial Day. It

was a solemn, yet profound experience for me and I

was really glad that my grandfather was generous

enough to bring me along with him.

Prior to that I knew little. I knew he fought in the

war. Knew he died in the

war, he continued.

That trip certainly

piqued my interest. My

grandfather would describe

his brother Victor very

fondly.. he was intelligent,

just different. He was spe-

cial in the family and some-

times my grandfather would

compare him to me.

Michael began searching

in earnest in 2004, while

completing his studies at

NYU. After spending some

time on the internet search-

ing for information about Victors unit, Michael found a

contact for a man, Al Panebianco, who was in charge of

an association for the 157th Infantry Regiment.

Panebianco supplied him with a list of about 70 members

of the 45th and 157th who may have known Victor and

were still living.

The gravesite at Ardennes American Cemetery, in Belgium,

where Victor is buried and where his brother Frank would

like to have his remains interred.


I got a picture of my uncle in uniform and wrote a let-

ter to every single person on those lists and basically intro-

duced who I was, he said. I was really surprised by the

responses. That was probably the most gratifying part.

One of the individuals that Michael had contacted was

an officer from Texas, who was at Anzio when the Nazis

overran the town.

On that day, the Germans were going to wipe them all

out, recalled Frank. My

grandson had contacted some

in Texasa Captainwho

believed he gave him up with

70 other people.

Michael said that he

received many responses

from Veterans or their wid-

ows, some giving valuable

information, while many oth-

ers simply wished him luck

on his quest. One even

mailed the 45ths book.

However, the turning point

in the search was when

Panebianco also advised

Michael to acquire an

Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) from the mil-

itary to learn more information about his great uncle.

This file ultimately provided the most background during

the search.

Basically it had records on his burial, cause of death,

which was heart failure, Michael recalled. It also had

that he was buried in Kessburg. Some records say that

was Poland, some say Germany.

Also included in the report was a page from the Red

Cross that listed two witnesses to his death. One was

Robert Aidala, whose name was on the pants that Victor

was wearing when he was buried in 1944.

In August of 2004, a little less than 60 years after

Victors passing, the Caruccis traveled to upstate New

York to speak with Robert Aidala.

We met him at this Burger King in town and he says

to my grandfather, You look

like Victor, said Michael. I

was really glad that my grand-

father got a chance to meet him.

It was a really rewarding expe-

rience and process. This whole

thing gave me a lot more appre-

ciation for WWII veterans,

especially prisoners of war.

He said, I want you to

know one thing: dont chase it

anymore, recalled Frank. I

was with your brother in the

beet field and he keeled over.

The veteran said that Vic,

who had was wounded when

captured, had died of malnour-

ishment, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Aidala was part of the crew that had buried him in the

back of a Polish church. At the end of the war, the man

was able to direct the US military to the site to recover the

remains, which the family chose to have buried in the

Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium. When I die,

thats where I will be, he said. Ive been there 10 times

or more. Its beautiful.

Michael Carucci with his grandfather Frank Carucci.

Passaic County Clerk

Kristin Corrado

Honor Our Veterans!God Bless America!


Ryan Gabels experience in the United StatesMarines has been overwhelmingly positive. TheCliftonite enlisted on May 18, 2009, roughly one year

after graduating from Clifton High School.

I was just working before I joined, said Gabel.

It was something I had been thinking about, but my

parents wanted me to hold off for a bit before I went out

and joined. Gabel was always a do it yourselfer. Self

motivated, he and his brother David ran a DJ company

where they provided sound systems for events. He also

worked at various jobs in the community, from dishing

out ice cream to working retail.

Once in the USMC, he became focused. I like the

camaraderie, I like helping people out, he said.

Tanks had always interested me a lot and I always

liked the idea of fighting for my country.

In May 2009, Gabel shipped out for three months of

boot at Parris Island.

It lived up to a lot of the expectations and things I

was told about it, he recalled of his early days in serv-

ice. Some of it, not so much, but it was definitely

tough. Mentally tough, more than anything.

Following boot, he was transfered to Fort Knox,

Kentucky for three months of training to become a tank

Ryan Gabel now a Short TimerCHS 08 Grad Now USMC Lance Corporal

Above, Ryan Gabel poses with the M1A1 tank that he is a gunner on. At

right, Gabel with his wife, Jessica. On facing page is Gabels graduation

photo from the 2008 Clifton High School yearbook.

By Joe Hawrylko

Clifton Veterans


e

s

f

I

-

y

,

k

gunner. We were then assigned to Camp Lejeune, in

North Carolina where Gabel waited for one year before

getting deployed to Afghanistan in

July 2011.

I was told a lot before I enlisted

about how if you go in now, youre

pretty much going to go (to

Afghanistan or Iraq), he said. But

I was fine with that.

When I got there, it took a year

or so to be called, and by that time, I

was ready for it, Gabel continued.

Its something you work to do.

Everything else is kind of just a gray

area.

It was definitely an experience,

thats for sure, Gabel said of his

tour of combat duty. I mean, there are not many words

that can explain it... I try to look at it as, it was a job and

I went over there and did what I had to do.

I feel like our unit actually made a difference, he

continued. We did a lot of clearing routes so that other

convoys could move through and

get supplies to the people that need-

ed it.

Gabel is once again stateside at

Camp Lejeune, and has a little more

than a year remaining on his con-

tract. Its a really tough decision

(on whether or not to go for a

career), he said. Can I leave the

job that definitely pays me every

month? I absolutely enjoy it.

Its definitely helped me grow

up. Im more responsible now...

youve got to be when you work

with a 70 ton vehicle, he said. I

have a wife (Jessica) and a dog and a house. Without

the skills that the Marine Corps helped me accomplish,

I wouldnt have any of those things.


In 1966, Lou Barbato was stilljust a kid fresh out of Eastside

High School. In October of that

same year, Uncle Sam came call-

ing and he was drafted into the

United States Army at the height of

the Cold War, just as Vietnam was

beginning to heat up.

I was drafted two months after

I turned 19. I was just out of high

school, he said.

Barbato was entering the mili-

tary at a time of great turmoil.

The conflict in Vietnam was

quickly heating up, and tensions

between the United States and

Russia were rapidly escalating in

the Cold War. As a young recruit,

Barbato could potentially land at

several locations around the world,

or even a war zone.

You had no idea where they

would put you, he recalled. I

had a lot of classmates go to

Vietnam. Quite a few of my class-

mates were killed.

The decision wouldnt be

revealed until well after training

was completed. Barbato attended

basic at Fort Stuart, Georgia. The

United States had drafted so many

recruits that month that Fort Stuart

was one of several new locations

opened up specifically to deal with

the influx.

Following that, Barbato was

shipped out to Fort Campbell,

Kentucky for advanced artillery

training for one year. In 1968, he

was transfered to Fort Bragg,

North Carolina.

And then Martin Luther King

was shot, he recalled.

The assassination on April 4,

1968 triggered riots in major cities

across the country, which resulted

in National Guard and federal

troops being deployed.

They told us were going to

Washington and we came in

through Andrews Air Force Base.

We sat around for half a day

The Army Made Him a ManLou Barbato, US Army, 1966 to 1968

Lou Barbato, the second generation owner of The Mountainside Inn, served

in the Army from 1966 to 1968 and was on hand for the Baltimore Riots in

1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Joe Hawrylko

Clifton Veterans


There are about12,000 podiatristsin the UnitedStates, according tothe Department ofLabor, and Clifton

podiatrist Thomas Graziano is oneof only six who hold both a Doctorof Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) anda Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree.

As a foot and ankle specialist, my

main goal for all my patients is to

find caring solutions that last a

lifetime. I won't just treat the

symptom; I'll strive to correct the

problem... Permanently.

When you combine effective

treatments with my genuine con-

cern for your well-being, that's a

powerful combination.

-Thomas A. Graziano, MD, DPM,

FACFAS

BUNIONSOne patient returned to an active tennisschedule following surgery for severebunionson both feet. The pain was sobad she couldnt walk normally, weardecent looking shoesmuch less play ten-nis, said Dr. Graziano. After the surgery,shes playing tennis and regretting waitingso long to have the surgery done. Before After


and then a bus pulled up and told

us were going to Baltimore,

recalled Barbato. I was a little

nervous. I didnt know what to

expect, what was going to happen.

We had seen it on the news, but

when we got there I just saw the

after effects.

By the time that Barbato had

arrived, most of the actual looting

and rioting had already taken

place.

They destroyed quite a bit in

Baltimore, he recalled. A lot of

businesses couldnt open. I do

remember one deli cooking all this

extra food and handing it out to

people and soliders, giving them

whatever they wanted. It was

going to go bad otherwise.

They really didnt want us inter-

vening... it was much more a show

of force. We took our bayonets off

our rifles. We carried 40 rounds of

ammunition and they told us those

better come back without one miss-

ing, Barbato continued. We slept

in the Baltimore City Zoo for about

a week in tents and then we

patrolled the streets. There was a

lot of looting, but about 90 percent

of the people where were very

happy to see us.

After a few weeks, Barbato

returned to Fort Bragg and was

later discharged. The second gen-

eration owner of The

Mountainside Inn on Hazel St.

looks back fondly on his time in

the service.

I was a young punk kid going

in and came back a man, he said.

I had a totally different attitude

about working and life itself. It

wouldnt hurt ot have every kid go

in for a year to grow up, learn dis-

cipline and respect.


f

m

f

f

PODIATRYThomas Graziano, DPM, MD

1033 Clifton, Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

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Jeffrey Miller, DPM

1117 Route 46 East, 2nd Floor

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-365-2208

Eugene A. Batelli, DPM


Clifton, NJ 07013

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886 Pompton Ave, Suite A-1

Cedar Grove, NJ 07009

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Englewood, NJ 07631

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152 Lakeview Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-340-8970

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152 Lakeview Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-340-8970

Matthew Welch, DPM

6506 Park Ave.

West New York, NJ 07093

201-662-1122

Anas Khoury, DPM235 Main Ave.

Passaic, NJ 07066

973-473-6665

PAIN MANAGEMENTLadislav Habina, MD


Clifton, NJ 07013

973-357-8228

Kazimierz Szczech, MD

1033 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

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Clifton, NJ 07013

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721 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

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1005 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-778-7882

CHIROPRACTICMichael Gaccione, DC

26 Clinton St.

Newark, NJ 07012973-624-4000

Terry Mc Sweeney, DC

600 Mount Prospect Ave.

Newark, NJ 07104

973-485-2332

ENTStephen Abrams, MD

1070 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-773-9880

ORTHOPEDICSKent Lerner, MD

17 Jauncey Ave.

North Arlington, NJ 07031

201-991-9019

UROLOGYDaniel Rice, MD

1001 Clifton, Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-779-7231

OPHTHALMOLOGYCharles Crowley, MD

1033 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-472-6405

GENERAL SURGERYKevin Buckley, MD

1100 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-778-0100

Edwin Kane, MD

1100 Clifton Ave.

Clifton, NJ 07013

973-778-0100

Ramon Silen, MD

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Clifton, NJ 07013

973-779-4242

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Podiatry Podiatry


At the tail end of 1999, Matt Lalumia was facing thebiggest challenge of his life: a battle with prostate can-

cer. Doctors determined that the best course of action

was to remove the offending gland, which would take

place on his 60th birthday on Dec. 13.

But rather than be concerned with further complica-

tions, Lalumia, a former Marine and longtime member

of the Clifton Roadrunner could only focus on one

thing: getting back to running.

The doctor says before the surgery, I want you to be

able to walk a mile, he laughed. A mile? What are

you talking about? I just ran a marathon! And three

months later I ran a half marathon and got second

place.

Lalumias connection with running stretches back to

August of 1978, after speaking with an old buddy from

the Marine who became overweight and got himself

into shape by jogging with coworkers.

The Roadrunners formed in 1978 and I picked it out

of a newspaper, he recalled. The guys used to meet at

Gus Tavern on Van Houten Ave.

Lalumia began going on runs with members and

started to develop an interest in the sport. He became

totally dedicated to it after starting to run the Cedar

Grove Reservoir.

It was 2.3 miles around and it was ran by marathon

runners, said Lalumia, recalling how intimidating it

was to begin that route with so many other talented run-

ners. By then, I was really hooked.

After three years of training and building up courage,

Lalumia ran his first marathon in New York City in

1981, posting a respectable time of 3:36.

His second race was in Montreal, after traveling to

Canada with the Clifton Roadrunners. Lalumia then

returned to the New York City Marathon in 1982, and

posted his best time ever in his third marathon, complet-

ing in 3:03:45. That same year, he also ran the Boston

Marathon, finishing with a 3:07.

In total, Lalumia has participated in 29 marathons,

including 14 at the Wineglass Marathon in Finger

Lakes, NY. He also participated in the 100th Boston

Marathon in 1996.

The Cliftonite has also ran four Marine Corps

Marathons in remembrance of his time in the military.

Lalumia, who served from 1958 to 1962, was trained

in aviation electronics and spent time overseas at an air-

base in Japan during the height of the Cold War. In

1960, he participated in Operation Blue Star, a top secret

mission to build an air base in Formosa (Taiwan).

After returning home, he was assigned to

Grunt now a Clifton Roadrunner Life & Still Running, USMC Matt Lalumia

Lalumia after completing the 2010 Marine Corps

Marathon. He placed first in the 70 to 74 age bracket.

By Joe Hawrylko

Clifton Veterans


Virginia Beach and was discharged in 1962 as a corpo-

ral. Lalumias best finish in the Marine Corps Marathon

was in 2010, when he earned first place in the 70 to 74

age bracket.

There was 32 people in that group and I was the

only one to break four hours, he said. Lalumia also

placed in the top 4000.

The 72 year old currently runs three times a week, for

a total between 20 and 25 miles. When preparing for a

marathon, Lalumia spends three months running 30 to

40 miles a week.

Lalumia is still active with the Clifton Roadrunners,

and competes with the senior team, which runs races

across the United States.

In 2011, the group participated in four races, winning

three and placing second in another while scoring more

points than any other 70s team. The squad came in first

in the NJ Grand Prix and first in the National Grand

Prix. In addition to running with the Club, Lalumia

assists in putting together the Roadrunner newsletter,

which he uses as a platform to talk about his battle with

prostate caner, and to advocate regular checkups.

After one of the Wineglass Marathons (Oct. 1999), I

was 59 and ran 3:18one of my fastest times and

medaled, he recalled. You think youre indestructible.

However, a few days after the race, Lalumias wife,

Vivian, convinced him to go for his regular check up,

and doctors soon discovered that he had prostate cancer.

After a surprise party the night before, Lalumia went

under the knife on his birthday on Dec. 13, 1999.

Within weeks, he slowly began walking around the

blocks before progressing to his old runs. Three months

later, Lalumia ran a half marathon.

Youve got to keep a positive mindset, he said.

Following recovery, Lalumia became an advocate for

early detection of prostate cancer.

I put in things in the Road Runner newsletter about

getting tested all the time. Two people had it and sur-

vived, he said. Im very proud to talk to people and

that I saved some lives.

Tony Latonas decisionto join the Air Forceafter graduating Clifton

High School in 1992 has

been prosperous. It led

him to firefighting, the

job that hes always

loved, and hes spent 20

years in the military, both

as an active Air Force

recruit, and a lengthy

career in the New York

National Guard.

I knew that spring

before I graduated that I

was going through the

motions and talking to a

recruiter, said Latona.

The selling point for him

was realizing that the Air

Force had firefighter

jobs. For me, it came

down to I want to be a

fireman and that as kind

of the reason. I dont

have a military family or

anything like that. Some

friends went off to college and I went off to Air Force

boot camp.

The Cliftonite went to boot in San Antonio, Texas,

and then to Illinois for the fire academy before being

assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Latona

spent three years in Europe, and went on several

deployments to Rwanda, Uganda and Spain while on

active duty.

Youre still armed, but you did humanitarian work,

that kind of thing, he said. I told people its like

being a combat firefighter.

Latona almost ended up

in Bosnia, but plans changed

and he ended up in Rwanda

in 1994, where a devastating

genocide had taken place.

It was still going on

when I got there. Days

before we got there, the

Canadians took over the air

traffic control tower, he

recalled. You could still

see the hallways all bloodied

up. They were telling us

when we got there that all

the people inside got hacked

up.

Latona spent four months

in Rwanda, and then spent

one year in Florida at

Herbert Field, just outside of

Panama City before being

discharged in 1996.

It totally changes your

perspective on life, just

those four years of growing

up, he said. The responsi-

bility that was put on you at

such a young age... you kind of grow up faster than

the average 18 to 21 year old. The same thing, going

to Rwanda, that experience, with no food, no running

water, no hot showers, just changed your life perspec-

tive. You realize how lucky we are, how good we

have it.

After returning home to Clifton, Latona began

preparing for the civil service exams. However, still

feeling that he had more to give to his country, the

Cliftonite joined the 105th Stewart Air National Guard

(NY) in 1997.


A Life of ServiceTony Latona, Firefighter, Air Force Vet, Guardsman

By Joe Hawrylko

Clifton Veterans


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That was that

kind of middle

ground between

still being

involved in the

service, but being

back home, clos-

er to family,

e x p l a i n e d

Latona. In the

guard, he went

on deployments

in Kuwait and

Saudia Arabia in

2000. It was

still the Saddam

days, he said.

Theyd just kind

of throw a couple

bombs every

once in a while,

and then hed

put men on the

border.

In February

2001, Latona was hired by the Clifton Fire

Department. That same year, he would be with the

CFD at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks.

That day, and the war with Iraq and Afghanistan that

followed, completely changed the Guards deployment

system, and meant

that Latona would be

heading to a warzone

in the near future.

The days of a

weekend a month,

two weeks a sumer

are long gone, he

said. 9/11 changed

all that.

Previously, they

would only be used to

fill bases while active

duty forces were out.

Since 9/11,

Guardsmen are

trained alongside

active duty members,

and are expected to

many of the same

duties in a warzone.

That training was

beneficial when he

was deployed to Iraq

in May of 2005,

spending Memorial Day in country.

I guess I was around a while by then. Its different.

By the time I went to Iraq, I had 14 years of deploy-

ment experience, said Latona, now a Master Sergeant.

You can see the difference compared with the 18 year

Top right of this photo is Latona in Iraq in 2005. He is pictured with

other members of the 105th Stewart Air National Guard out of New

York. Latona recalled how the photographers camera, which was set

to New York time, coincidently had a timestamp of 9:11.


old kid who joined the Guard and went away.

Being a firefighter, obviously youre trained.

Youre used to dealing with stress and being in those

types of environments that make other people nerv-

ous, he continued. You tend to be more cool, calm

and collected. An open wound would freak out one

person, but for a firefighter, youve dealt with a lot of

that or worse.

Latona said one of the most stressful things about

deployment is preparing to away for as long as a year.

Its a lot of prep time, getting your finances in

order... if you have kids, getting child care, he said.

Its a big responsibility... just time consuming. Ive

got to think of everything thats going to happen in my

life the next six to twelve months and take care of it in

two weeks before I leave.

Once he landed in Iraq, Latona focused on the task

at hand, which he said was easy considering the cir-

cumstances.

Living so close to New York City, being involved

with 9/11... we went with the Clifton Fire Department

to Ground Zero, he recalled. To be in Iraq, you see a

difference between a New York or New Jersey military

person serving. It was more personal for us because we

all lost friends, families and neighbors in 9/11.

It changes your perspective in the sense of the best

analogy I use is when you turn on the news at home

and all you see on the news for half an hour is all the

worst things that happened in New Jersey. Meanwhile,

all these good things happen, he said. It was almost

the same thing over there with the whole media thing.

Theres so many positive things going on.

While he described the overall experience as posi-

tive, Latona was happy to return home in October of

2005. I remember that first day, mentally saying to

myself, wow, yesterday I was in the middle of Iraq and

here I am, 48 hours later and Im sitting in front of my

house, he recalled. The Army and the Marines, their

adjustment is night and day. Were more second line

defense, closer to the base. Were not going down

town, seeing street to street combat for the most part.

In Clifton, Latona is extremely active in veteran

affairs, specifically the Knights of Columbus Tank

Pull, which is on June 24 at Eddie Mayo Field on

Clifton Ave.

Clifton is very pro-veteran... There are a lot of

things in Clifton that are supportive of veterans and the

military, and I try to stay involved. The first two years

we did it, we raised $250,000 for Wounded Warriors,

added Latona. We went from about 10 teams the first

year to 20 teams the second year. Theres going to be

over 30 teams this year.

Latona, who marks his 20th year in the military in

2012, looks back fondly on his experiences in the Air

Force and Guard.

For me, I enjoy it. Youre helping people, youre

going places and youre making a difference, said

Latona. Its what I always wanted to do and I get to

continue to do that so I plan on sticking around for a

while.


After graduating fromClifton High School in2008, Mark Scarpa triedhis hand at college, but

after deciding it wasnt

for him, he began looking

for new opportunities and

found a calling in the

Army.

I went to college

maybe two months. I

didnt really like it, it

wasnt for me, he said.

I wanted to go do some-

thing else and wound up

joining the Army. I was

in ROTC for three years

and I always had an inter-

est in it. After seeing

what college was all

about, I wanted to do

something else with my

life.

Enlisting was some-

thing that Scarpa had

always considered due to

his familys history.

A lot of my family has

been in the military. I just

wanted to serve and feel

like I did my part, he said. My mother, Monika

Skidmore, did operations and intelligence in Germany.

My uncle, Eric Hollinger, he was an MP too. My step

dad is a cop in Clifton and thats why I wanted to be a

MP. My grandpa, Frank Hollinger, he was in the

infantry around the time of Korea but didnt go.

Scarpa shipped out to basic in January 2009 at Fort

Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he spent six months in

basic and then training to

become a military police

officer. On July 13, 2009,

he was shipped out to

Seoul, Korea, where he

was attached to the 142nd

Military Police Company,

94th Military Police

Battalion.

Over there, military

police were like regular

cops, explained Scarpa,

who added that he picked

up a few Korean phrases

along the way. We work

the roads, drive around

and respond to calls.

We worked with the

Korean Police and

Korean Army and I

learned a lot.

When North

Korea sunk that

South Korean ship,

they recalled all of

us and we had to

check all of our gear

and all this craziness. It

was pretty wild, he

added.

Scarpa said his time in Korea gave him a more

worldly perspective on life.

I cant even compare it to anything else. I was 18

years old, just pretty much out of high school with a lit-

tle bit of college, he said. And I was in a foreign

country for the first time ever, and in the military. It was

an incredible experience.

Scarpa returned from Korea in July 2010, and

Mark Scarpa, US ArmyServed as a MP in South Korea

By Joe Hawrylko

Cliftonite Mark Scarpa, a 2008

CHS grad, was stationed in South Korea while serving in

the Army.

Clifton Veterans


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was sent to Ft. Drum, New York, where he was attached

to the 10th Mountain Division, 563rd Military Police

Company, 91st Military Police Battalion.

It wasnt so much regular police stuff, but working

at the company, training to deploy to go to

Afghanistan, said Scarpa. We maintained our equip-

ment, we were in the field a lot, going to ranges and

shooting.

The Cliftonite was discharged on Feb. 24, 2012, with

the rank of specialist. He is currently employed as a

mechanic at Atlantic Forklift of Clifton.

Now that Im out of the military, I look back and

there are some times that I miss it, and sometimes I go

wow, its really good to be out, said Scarpa. But over-

all I feel I learned a lot and really feel that it gave me a

good work ethic and made me really disciplined.

I used to be a really messy person and now instead

Im always cleaning stuff, always trying to tidy up, he

said. I cant really explain it. Its a sense of urgency

to get as much done as fast as possible. Ive only been

out for a little while but Im always hustling and

bustling.

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As a high school student, Diana (Haring) Beagin envi-sioned herself becoming a physical therapist. Six years

later, the 24 year-old Clifton native is a Navy wife sta-

tioned in Virginia Beach, experiencing both the joys

and challenges of military life.

Her husband, Kevin Beagin, who was

also raised in Clifton, is an aviation electri-

cian deployed aboard the USS Enterprise

somewhere in the Middle East, where he

works on Super Hornet jet fighters.

For security reasons, the Navy does-

nt disclose the destination of its ships,

even to spouses. I have an idea

where they were going, but I

dont know exactly where

he is, Beagin said. Thats

the difficult part.

While growing up, the

couple lived on opposite

sides of town, Diana near

Corrados market, where

she attended School 4,

and Kevin, also 24, in the

Allwood area, where he

was enrolled at St. Clares

School.

She went on to

Christopher Columbus

Middle School and

Clifton High School,

while he attended St.

Marys High School in

Rutherford. They met

through mutual friends

during the summer

before their junior year and have been together ever since.

Beagin said she was attracted to her then future hus-

band because of his easy-going, fun-loving ways. He

always made me want to be around him, she said.

In looking back, she also realized how much his

friends looked up to him and that may have been another

factor that drew her to him. After graduation in 2006, the

two high school sweethearts went to different

colleges, Diana to Ramapo College, where she

majored in biology, and Kevin to William

Paterson University to study criminal justice.

Neither completed a degree.

Kevin had his sights set on becoming a fire

fighter, so after a year-and-a-half at WPU, he

left school and decided to take

the fire fighter test. He scored

well enough to be placed on

the recruitment list for a num-

ber of towns, including

Clifton. In the meantime, he

worked at several part-time

jobs, hoping that some-

thing would come through

for him.

Diana continued on in

school for another semester,

but finally realized that her

dream of becoming a

physical therapist wasnt

for her. I hated school

and it just wasnt what I

wanted, she said.

After working for a

while at The Clifton Little

School, Diana decided to

enroll at The Institute for

Culinary Education in New

York City.

Preparing food was

something that she had been doing for a long time. Her

parents have owned Mary Anns Deli across from the

Board of Education building on Clifton Ave. for over 30

years, and she would often help out in the store.

Marriage and the NavyMilitary Life Suits Young Clifton Couple

By Carol Leonard

Homecoming for Diana and Kevin Beagin on the docks in

Norfalk after his returning from an 8 month deployment.

Clifton Veterans


I really enjoyed it and realized it was something that

I could be happy doing, she said.

While Diana was making plans to become a pastry

chef, Kevin couldnt wait any longer for a fire fighter

position to open up for him, so, at

age 21, he joined the Navy.

The military was always in his

head, Beagin said. He had been

talking to recruiters starting in his

senior year of high school. Since he

couldnt attain what he wanted, he

decided to sign up.

Kevin was sent to Panama City,

Florida, where he originally was in

training for a bomb squad position. A

medical problem that he experi-

enced, however, disqualified him for

that type of work, so he was transferred into the area of

aviation electronics.

Diana completed her nine-month culinary school pro-

gram and landed a job at the Union Square Caf in the

city, where she had done her internship.

The couple became engaged and was planning a tradi-

tional wedding, when they up and eloped. We decided

that a big wedding just wasnt for us, Beagin said.

They went all alone to the courthouse in Panama City

and were married by a judge. We

called some friends afterwards and

met them at TGI Fridays for a beer

to celebrate, she said.

While Beagins parents were

somewhat disappointed that they

missed the wedding, they were okay

with the couples decision. They

love Kevin, they always have, she

said.

Following his stint in Panama

City, Kevin was sent to Pensacola

for five months. It was right after

the oil spill, Beagin said. It was so sad to watch the

cleanup. There was oil all over the beach.

A year-and-a-half ago, the couple was transferred

again to their current home in Virginia Beach.

Kevin was sent out on his first deployment last


April. Fortunately, it was only for three months and he

returned in July. It was actually a six month deployment

for the ship, but Kevin was still in training for the first

three months, so he only had to go out for the last three

months, Beagin explained.

In March, Kevin shipped out again, this time for at

least seven to nine months. Diana isnt sure just when he

will be returning. We literally find out only about three

days before they come back, she said.

Correspondence with the sailors is by e-mail only and

can be sporadic. There are no personal computers on

board, only the limited number of ships computers, so

the crew must share their use. And, the computers dont

have access to Skype or any other video conferencing

programs, so Diana will not get to see Kevin at all until

he returns home. Sometimes she doesnt hear from him

for several weeks at a time.

That can be tough, she said. They work long days

and I know that hes working his butt off, so I just have to

deal with it. I know that, unless someone comes knocking

on my door, hes fine.

Aside from missing her husband, one of Dianas

biggest challenges has been trying to find employment.

A lot of places just dont want to hire military spouses

because they know that we may not be here that long,

she said. With the summer season coming soon, she is

hoping that some opportunities will develop in the resort

area, even if its just temporary.

She said that she is getting by okay on Kevins modest

salary and housing allowance. I know I need to watch

what I spend, but my mother taught me to be frugal, she

said. Kevin is, too, so we make it work.

Dianas family wishes that she would come home to

live while Kevin is deployed, but she declined the offer.

My life is here, she said. We have an apartment and

friends, and our two dogs who keep me company. I dont

want to pick up my life every time he goes away.

Diana said that she has a lot of military family acquain-

tances and a small circle of good friends. The husband of

her best friend, Jessie, is also away on the same ship as

Kevin. Were always there for each other, she said. Its

nice to know that if I need to talk to someone at 11

oclock at night I can call her and I dont need to explain

why.


Diana often baby sits for Jessies two-year-old and the

children of her other friends. Were the only ones of our

friends who dont have kids yet, she said.

Another challenge that Diana and other military spous-

es face is getting to know their husband or wife again

when they return home from deployment. Its like meet-

ing someone all over again, she said. Things change

and people change over the time youre apart.

When Kevin came home after his first deployment,

Diana noticed that there were little things that would

bother her. He was always shoveling food in his mouth

because he was so used to having to eat so fast, she said.

I had to tell him to slow down and relax, and eat like a

normal person.

When Kevin returns from his latest deployment, the

couple will have another decision to discuss. Kevins con-

tract with the Navy is up in July 2013, so he will have to

decide if he wants to re-enlist.

Its not automatic that you get back in, Beagin said.

Re-enlistment is competitive. They evaluate you as a

sailor and take into consideration if youve been advanc-

ing in your job. Right now, its up in the air.

She explained that Kevin would like to change jobs if

he stays in the Navy, but he is not sure yet what else he

would like to do. Right now he is trying to learn Russian

so he can study cryptology, the science of secure commu-

nications.

Beagin is open to the possibility of raising children as

a military family if Kevin re-enlists in the Navy. Its a

tough life, she said, but they (military kids) learn so

much more. They learn to stand up for themselves, be

independent and cope with their feelings.

As the U.S. involvement in the wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan winds down, Beagin hopes that people will

remember that our military men and women will still be

out there serving their country. Most people dont know

anyone in the military, she said. They need to be aware

that not everyone in the military is in a combat role.

Beagin said she has no regrets of the choices that she

and Kevin made to get married so young and get involved

in a military life. Weve been together for six years and

were kind of like old souls, she said. We felt that we

were ready for marriage and the lifestyle we chose. Weve

made some sacrifices, but its our life. We enjoy it and we

love each other.

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Jackie and Oscar Buonafina in a recent photograph.

Guard, Recently DeployedOscar Buonafina Leaves Behind Family & Business

By Joe Hawrylko

US Army Reserve Sergeant Oscar Buonafina knowswhat its like to be called to active duty, having been

deployed for a year long tour in Iraq in 2009. But the 32

year old has once again leaving behind his family, busi-

ness, Buonafina Plumbing and heating, and civilian life,

this time for a 10 month deployment to Afghanistan.

In the beginning of March, Buonafina got the call

from a superior about going on another tour, and two

weeks later, he was packing his bags on March 15, as his

wife, Jackie, and three children, sat and watched.

After spending that day together, Jackie and her hus-

band drove to JFK Airport on March 16, headed for Fort

Benning, Georgia. Buonafina was then sent to Kabul,

the capital of Afghanistan, where he will assist the 310th

Military Police Battalion.

While her husband is away, Jackie will remain busy

managing the Hugs from Home Foundation, a non-prof-

it which she founded in 2009 during Oscars deploy-

ment. The group raises funds to send care packages to

soldiers overseas. The Hugs from Home Foundation

held a fundraiser at the Harp n Bard pub on Lakeview

Ave. on April 27. For more information about the

Foundation, call Jackie Buonafina at her store, Just

Beautiful Boutique, at 973-340-0680.

Clifton Veterans


As a member of the C Battery,2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artilleryin the fall of 1965, Bill Van Eck,

shown at right, fired some of the

biggest guns in Vietnam.

But one of his most memorable

days in country occurred when

he and his comrades took up small

arms to save the life of an officer

caught in an ambush sometime dur-

ing January 1966.

I was in the command post

talking to the company clerk, who

was a buddy of mine, he said. A

sergeant ran in, all upset, telling us

that he needed help. His outfit had

been ambushed up the road and the

infantry commander, Captain Fritz,

had been thrown out of his jeep and

knocked unconscious.

Van Eck and about 15 others

jumped into an armored personal

carrier and raced to the scene.

While he and others took up defen-

sive positions to give covering fire,

the officer was pulled to safety.

I never found out if he survived

or not, said Van Eck.

In terms of his artillery experi-

ences, Van Eck said his unit was

the first to shoot the 36-foot barrel,

175mm artillery guns, which had a

range of over 20 miles.

Working so close to the big guns

of Vietnam, which dispersed more

than 100 pounds of explosives per

round, eventually resulted in Van

Eck being classified as legally deaf

in both ears.

Theyre dinosaurs now. Youll

find them in museums, said Van

Eck, who graduated Passaic High

School in 1961.

After being discharged, Van Eck

worked as a chemical operator at

the Giuvadan plant and moved to

Clifton in 1966. He was later

employed by the head custodian at

the West Essex Regional High

School until retiring in 2009. The

70 year old is married to his wife,

Mary, and has two kids and two

grandkids. These days, hes active

in local veterans affairs as a mem-

ber of American Legion 347 and

VFW 6487.

Van Eck, who lives in Lakeview,

has also been active with the

Avenue of Flags for seven years,

where he handles daily mainte-

nance and works along side John

Biegel. Hell be the boss there

until he dies, laughed Van Eck.

Bill Van Eck on the Front Lines His Big Guns Had A Range of Over 20 Miles

Back in Nam, Bill Van Eck circa 1965 and inset today.

By Tom Hawrylko

Clifton Veterans

John Biegel Jr., was an active member of the Marine Corps from 1952 to1955, but his affiliation with the military goes well beyond three years. There

are few that are more involved in local veteran affairs than Biegel, who was

stationed in Japan at Atsugi Naval Air Base with the 1st Marine Air Wing and

worked as an MP and cook.

Ive been serving for over 50 years now, he said.

Biegel, who had a 30 year career at Athenia Steel, has been

a commander at three posts: the Athenia Veterans,

American Legion Post 8, and currently VFW 6487. He

was also a vice commander in the New Jersey American

Legion, and also served on the district executive commit-

tee for three years. Biegel has been affiliated with the local

Veterans Parades since 1989. The Cliftonite is also the

chair of the Avenue of Flags, and is coordinating a ceremo-

ny for the 10 year anniversary for the program this fall. I

just enjoy what I do, period, said Biegel, who has two

children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.


John Beigel, USMCKorean Vet, Avenue of Flags Chair


In 1963, most people crossing theAmerican-Canadian border wereheading north to avoid the draft.

Phil Sharkey, then 17 years old, was

doing just the opposite: leaving

behind his family and their farm to

come to the United States, knowing

full well that it meant he would be

drafted.

I was born in Woodstock, New

Brunswick, about 10 miles from the

American border of Maine, he

recalled. I came to Connecticut to

live with my brother for a while. I

couldnt get a job because I was

underage. Then I came down to

New Jersey, where my uncle lived.

He was also a Canadian who served

in the American Army, along with

his brother, in WWII.

When I crossed the border, you

had to sign for the draft. You were

going to be drafted no matter what,

said Sharkey, who came over on

May 5, 1963. I spent two years

working as a longshoreman and then

when I became 19, that was the time

you had to make a decision.

Rather than wait for his number

to be called, Sharkey decided to

join the Marines and was shipped

out to Parris Island on April 15,

1965. After 16 weeks of training,

he was sent to Camp Lejeune for a

month. Sharkey was then shipped

to Camp Pendleton, where he was

attached to 1st Battalion, 3rd

Marines, and sent to Vietnam in

October of 1965.

Half of the 3rd Marines went by

ship, the other half went by plane,

he said. I went by plane. The

other guys went to Hawaii. Thats

the base of the 3rd Marines.

Sharkey ultimately ended up at

Da Nang Air Base.

There was no real thoughts til

you got there and you landed and

smelt the place, he said. You

open up the door and that nasty,

sweaty sewage. Then I spent a

week on the runway at Da Nang

waiting to go to my company

because my company already got

there.

Once he was hooked up with his

company, Sharkey was sent

Canadian Volunteer MarinePhil Sharkey Went South During Nam

By Joe Hawrylko

Phil Sharkey, a native of Canada, came to the US in 1963 and served in

Vietnam with the Marines.

Clifton Veterans


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out into the jungle. From there, it was patrols, ambush-

es, living in the jungle, living with the bugs and the

leeches, no showers, no nothing, for weeks on end, he

said. We actually liked being out in the jungle rather

than the back in the rear under the tents. You had more

freedom up there.

In addition to patrols, another part of the routine was

living in villages with locals for days or weeks at a time.

You dont know who you are protecting. Its like

Afghanistan now, they dont appreciate you there, he

said. Some villagers were good people, but sometimes

youd have Vietcongs among you too.

Sharkey recalled a time that people from his unit

were playing basketball with villagers during the day,

only to find those same individuals attempting to set up

booby traps later on that night.

We always tried to not stay in the same place at any

given time. Always move around, said Sharkey.

Their tactics were to injure you, not to kill you. They

would rather see you get injured just like in Iraq. They

want to blow you up and send you home all screwed up

to say look what we can do.

While the ambushes, booby traps and skirmishes

took a toll mentally, the harsh and unpredictable weath-

er and elements of Vietnam were also difficult to deal

with.

When the monsoons came, that was the worst time.

It rained for days and months and it would never get dry.

You would see sunlight and then five minutes later,

downpour. Then it clears up, dries out and rains again,

he said. My legs were all rotted here down. Theres no

Above are pictures of Sharkey while in Vietnam. At left

is a photo of him at Parris Island in 1968, where he

was serving as a rifle marksmen instructor.


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hair on my legs. You had constant leeches on your body,

eating you. It was 130 degrees out, then it drops down

in the night time and youd be shivering and shaking

with wet clothes on.

Though he primarily was on patrols, Sharkey did par-

ticipate in larger skirmishes, including the Battle of Khe

Sanh. He arrived there in October of 1966.

I went from Private 1st Class to Platoon Sgt. in Khe

Sanh because they were in a rotation and needed some-

one to fill it, he said. We also ran patrols into Laos but

were not supposed to say that. Everyone denies that,

we werent there, but we were way up in there.

Sharkey returned to the US in 1967.

When I came back to California and landed at Camp

Pendleton, they told us to take off our uniforms, wear

civilian clothes, get on a plane, shut up and go home,

said Sharkey. When I landed at JFK, my uncle picked

me up and started yelling at me, Where is your uni-

form? He was angry because he was in WWII.

Sharkey was then sent to Parris Island, where he

served as a rifle marksmen instructor for 18 months. He

was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1968.

Sharkey returned to Fairlawn after the war, and

became a United States Citizen in 1972. He worked as

a longshoreman for a short time after his discharge

before becoming a carpenter. Sharkey moved to Clifton

30 years ago, and locals might recognize him as the for-

mer owner of Fatsos Bar, which was located on Van

Houten Ave., near Major St.

Sharkey, who is active in the Athenia Veterans, looks

back on his service time fondly.

I look at it as a positive. I liked the camaraderie. Im

glad I did it, but there are certain things... I think the gov-

ernment should take care of us in a better way, he said.

I swear I have agent orange. My body has all sorts of

scales and scabs. When I came back, I had worms in my

stomach. The first 15 or 20 years, I always had running

sores all over my body and even had my face stripped

because I had sores on the side of my face.

But the guys... youre all so clicked together in the

Marines. Nobody gets left behind. Youre dead, they drag

you along with them, Sharkey added. You know the guy

beside you is going to take care of you. Whether youre

shot, youre dead, youre coming back with them.


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Enlisting in the United StatesMilitary had always been a goal forNick Benigno. However, the 2003

graduate of Clifton High School,

waited more than three years before

joining up, and today, hes much

happier for the experience..

I wanted to do it right out of

high school, he said. I tried col-

lege first and after ay ear or two it

just wasnt something I was into. I

was working for a while too and

that didnt work out either. I just

said to myself, let me try the serv-

ice, and I finally got to do what Ive

always wanted to do.

After weighing his options in the

recruitment office, Benigno decid-

ed on the Air Force.

I always liked air planes, he

said. So I trained to be an aircraft

mechanic. I was always good with

my hands, always tinkering with

cars and stuff, so I figured why not

be a mechanic.

In March 2006, Benigno was

shipped out to San Antonio, Texas

for training. He would then be sta-

tioned at Dyess Air Force Base,

Texas, from July 2006 to Feb. 2009

as a part of the 7th Component

Maintenance Squadron with Texas.

Later that year, he was transfered

to Okinawa, Japan, and assigned to

the 18th Component Maintenance

Squadron.

I really love to travel. The trav-

el in the Air Force was so great.

Every six months, I was somewhere

new, he said. Hawaii, the

Philipines, Korea, Japan, Ireland,

Germany... mostly the travel that I

enjoy. You get to experience differ-

ent cultures. I just enjoyed doing

what I wanted to do when I was sin-

gle and running around.

In 2009, Benigno volunteered

for duty in Iraq, staying in the

country from July to October.

In Iraq, that wasnt my primary

career field. It was a volunteer

thing. I wanted the experience and

I just jumped in head first as soon

as they offered it, he said. I was

basically like a security guard. We

did base protection and escorted

third party nationals.

It was still pretty bad in 2009.

Every day we had rocket attacks,

gun fire and everything else, con-

tinued Benigno. My parents sup-

ported me when I wanted to sign

up, but were kind of hesitant when I

went to Iraq... but I dont think that

anyones parents would have want-

ed their kid to go there.

The Cliftonite was honorably

discharged as a staff sergeant

Traveling the WorldNick Benigno served in the Air Force

By Joe Hawrylko

Nick Benigno in Iraq and at right

with his bride to be, Michele.

Clifton Veterans


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in May 2011, and currently works at BASF as an R&D

technician.

Benigno is once again living in Clifton, but is cur-

rently searching for a home with his fiance, Michele.

The two were engaged this February and will be married

next year.

I did my time and got out. Im still a reservist for

two years, he added, and then noted of his co-workers

at his workplace: Everyone here has been real support-

ive. People find out that Im a vet and immediately say

thank you. Its a good feeling that people appreciate our

service. People around here are really great.

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The Knights of Columbus 0645 Tank Pull is onceagain right around the corner. On June 24, teams ofup to 20 individuals will compete will do their best to

haul an 80,000 pound vehicle for charity. The event will

take place from 10 am to 4 pm at Oak Ridge Park on

Clifton Ave. The Knigh

clifton merchant magazine - may 2012

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