Flag Continues To Fly Over Fort Monmouth

When one drives past Fort Monmouth on Oceanport Avenue, the sky has been missing something ever since the army base closed last year.

On Thursday morning, that missing piece was returned to sky when officials held a Flag Day ceremony at Fort Monmouth and raised Old Glory near the east gate in Oceanport.

The Flag Day ceremony has been a tradition at Fort Monmouth and it continued on Wednesday with the help of three organizations.

Fort Monmouth Site Manager John E. Occhipinti led the ceremony and spoke about all the hard work members of his "caretaker" team, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) and the New Jersey State Police have been doing to keep the fort in good shape.

"The Army's new mission is to turn over the property," Occhipinti said. "These three elements have come together to do a very difficult job with very little help."

"This small bunch has done a magnificent job," Occhipinti continued. "We are on the ground floor of a wonderful future."

New Jersey State Police Sgt. Joe Sansone talked about the importance of Fort Monmouth and what it means to him.

"Fort Monmouth is like the flag because it symbolizes America," Sgt. Sansone said. "It has supported our country in times of peace and war."

FMERA Director of Facilities Planning Rick Harrison said he was happy the Flag Day ceremony was able to continue this year.

"The flag has now flown at Fort Monmouth for 95 Flag Days," Harrison said.

Occhipinti reminded those in attendance that Thursday also marked the 237th birthday of the U.S. Army.

"Our troops are the best in the world," Occhipinti said.