OB Memorial Day Honors Vets Home and Abroad
Volume 49, Issue 2
By David Crohn

Vacationers, daytrippers and Ocean Beach residents took a moment out from their sun-soaked idylls this past Sunday to enjoy the town’s Memorial Day Parade and reflect on the sacrifices made over the years by our country’s Armed Service men and women.
The day’s events kicked off in late morning with a parade led by four flag- and rifle-bearing soldiers, with about a half-dozen veterans and a bagpiper bringing up the rear in front of a village fire truck. The procession began at the Fire House on Bayberry and Ocean Walk, made its way north, snaked west around the village green and ended with a ceremony on the grass under a clear sky.
Mayor Natalie Rogers, clad in patriotic red, took the podium to pay tribute to the thousands who have died serving their county at home and abroad. She expressed the hope that “the leaders of our governments—national, state and local—will rise above politics and achieve a level of statesmanship.”
The mayor also expressed the importance of local patriotism, saying, “[Ocean Beach] should be a showcase of quality-of-life living; of good and responsible government; of loving and caring for our friends and neighbors; of giving to our community; of setting a shining example of social integrity.”
Sunday’s parade and service were dedicated to two “outstanding legends” of the community: Joe Loeffler, Sr., a Normandy veteran who passed away in 2003, and Benjamin “Bill” Mehlman, a long-time senior judge who died this winter.
Current OB Judge Joe Russell—clad in the original blue Navy uniform issued to him 61 years ago—took the podium and reflected on his experiences and those of his fellow veterans. “All of us have one thing in common: we put our lives in danger for our country,” he said.
Russell led the group in a moment of silence to remember “the people who did not have the opportunity to grow old like we did.”
After Russell’s speech the national anthem was sung by nine-year-old Alessandra Guercio, a Brooklyn girl recently voted one of America’s Most Talented Kids. Three riflemen then fired three shots in the air and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The mayor acknowledged the presence of several prominent veterans, including Trustee Bill Wingate and Warren McDowell, who served in Vietnam and is the most decorated vet in town.
But like many soldiers who have seen the worst and lived to tell about it, McDowell does not consider himself a hero and chooses not to discuss his experiences. He said only, “I’d rather not go into any of that. I’m just glad to be here today.”