Men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces were remembered Monday morning at the annual Memorial Day observance held at Wampum Park in Eatontown.

The event started on a somber note when it was announced that Bernard Schreibman, American Legion Post 325 Chaplain, had died on Saturday. Mr. Schreibman was a World War II veteran who had served in the China-Burma-India Theater. 

Speakers included American Legion 325 Post Commander Ken Gurbisz, Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo and Joe Gugliuzza. Mr. Gurbisz told the story of Sgt. Dennis Weichel, a Rhode Island National Guardsman and himself a father of three young children who was struck and killed by a vehicle while saving an Afghan girl who was in its path.

Wreaths were placed by representatives of a number of local groups including the Borough of Eatontown, Gold Star Wives, B.P.O. Elks Lodge 2402, Eatontown Police Department, Eatontown Fire Department, Eatontown First Aid Squad, Knights of Columbus, Office of Emergency Management, Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts, Eatontown Lions Club, Eatontown Democratic Club, Eatontown Republican Club as well as from the Holmgren/Gurbisz American Legion Post 325.   

After a moment of silence  following the laying of the wreathes, the sound of Taps played by the Memorial School Band Trumpeters filled the air as all present stood in respect for those that had fallen. The entire band also played The National Anthem at the beginning of the ceremony and God Bless America at its conclusion. 

Others present on this day included members of the Eatontown Borough Council, representatives of the groups mentioned above as well as many residents of Eatontown.

The most emotional moment of the day was when the Roll Call of the names of fourteen Eatontown residents who have made the supreme sacrifice was read.    One by one the names were met with the response “he does not answer.” A reminder to all, that freedom is not free. It comes with a very steep price.