thedrifter
04-28-07, 06:57 PM
Fallen soldiers honored
TREES PLANTED IN MEMORIUM
Posted by the Ocean County Observer on 04/28/07
BY ANGELA SANTORIELLO
STAFF WRITER
TOMS RIVER — U.S. Marines Pfc. Vincent M. Frassetto and Cpl. Thomas E. Saba were killed within two weeks of their deployment to Iraq, and both died on the seventh day of the month.
Frassetto was killed at age 21 on Sept. 7; Saba was killed at age 30 on Feb. 7.
The coincidence between the two fallen soldiers was present yesterday when both Frassetto's parents, Teresa and John Frassetto, and Saba's parents, Barbara and Anthony Saba, sat close together in the municipal complex while Mayor Paul C. Brush and Council President Gregory McGuckin dedicated a Gingko biloba tree and a monument to the two men for Arbor Day.
"We promised Mr. and Mrs. Frassetto when winter broke we would like to remember Vincent with a special memorial here on the grounds of Town Hall, and since then the Sabas agreed to join us," Brush said.
He gave a brief speech noting the origin of Arbor Day and how J. Sterling Morton's love for trees planted the seed that would later see the day proclaimed a legal holiday in 1885.
He asked Dave Parisi, the township's public land supervisor, to speak about the Ginkgo biloba tree he planted. The tree, also known as a maidenhair tree, dates back to prehistoric times. Parisi said he choose it because a tree that has survived for millions of years seemed fitting for Frassetto and Saba.
"This tree will be around a long time," he said. "It will grow to be about eight feet in a 100 years from now and all the trees around it will be gone."
Barbara Saba said she looks forward to sitting by the tree during the summer concert series downtown. Her husband, Anthony, praised the township for the tribute to his son.
"Everything the mayor and council have done for us has been first class," he said.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6063 Commander Carmine Torrise, who came out to show his support, agreed with Saba.
"I think it is great that we have an administration and mayor that have such respect for our veterans," he said.
McGuckin made a point to thank Shirley Broome, secretary to the Township Council, for her work on the Wall of Heroes in Town Hall.
"I am especially pleased with the way she set it up to honor Tony and Vincent so every citizen in town can see it," he said.
Holding the Toms River's Tree City Award, McGuckin said the township "has one of the strictest tree ordinances in the state," and has recently hired a forester to fortify tree protection.
"We make every effort to save our trees that last much longer than many of us do," he said.
"We certainly support our military personal and their families and the tree and monument are a worthwhile tribute," said Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, who was also present.
Teresa Frassetto said she had no doubt the township would keep their promise to plant a tree in her son's name.
"I know that they would," she said. "If they say they will do it, they will do it."
She liked the idea of the tree being a Ginkgo biloba because the Ginkgo plant is known for aiding memory.
"It's a memory tree as well as a remembrance tree," she said.
Though Brush said it was unfortunate the ceremony had to be held inside due yesterday's showers, fate would have it that Frassetto liked the rainfall.
"I think Vinny would have liked this very much," said Marc Lockwood, Frassetto's best friend, who stood outside of the municipal complex to see the tree. "He is probably laughing at us right now because we are standing in the rain. He really liked the rain."
Ellie
TREES PLANTED IN MEMORIUM
Posted by the Ocean County Observer on 04/28/07
BY ANGELA SANTORIELLO
STAFF WRITER
TOMS RIVER — U.S. Marines Pfc. Vincent M. Frassetto and Cpl. Thomas E. Saba were killed within two weeks of their deployment to Iraq, and both died on the seventh day of the month.
Frassetto was killed at age 21 on Sept. 7; Saba was killed at age 30 on Feb. 7.
The coincidence between the two fallen soldiers was present yesterday when both Frassetto's parents, Teresa and John Frassetto, and Saba's parents, Barbara and Anthony Saba, sat close together in the municipal complex while Mayor Paul C. Brush and Council President Gregory McGuckin dedicated a Gingko biloba tree and a monument to the two men for Arbor Day.
"We promised Mr. and Mrs. Frassetto when winter broke we would like to remember Vincent with a special memorial here on the grounds of Town Hall, and since then the Sabas agreed to join us," Brush said.
He gave a brief speech noting the origin of Arbor Day and how J. Sterling Morton's love for trees planted the seed that would later see the day proclaimed a legal holiday in 1885.
He asked Dave Parisi, the township's public land supervisor, to speak about the Ginkgo biloba tree he planted. The tree, also known as a maidenhair tree, dates back to prehistoric times. Parisi said he choose it because a tree that has survived for millions of years seemed fitting for Frassetto and Saba.
"This tree will be around a long time," he said. "It will grow to be about eight feet in a 100 years from now and all the trees around it will be gone."
Barbara Saba said she looks forward to sitting by the tree during the summer concert series downtown. Her husband, Anthony, praised the township for the tribute to his son.
"Everything the mayor and council have done for us has been first class," he said.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6063 Commander Carmine Torrise, who came out to show his support, agreed with Saba.
"I think it is great that we have an administration and mayor that have such respect for our veterans," he said.
McGuckin made a point to thank Shirley Broome, secretary to the Township Council, for her work on the Wall of Heroes in Town Hall.
"I am especially pleased with the way she set it up to honor Tony and Vincent so every citizen in town can see it," he said.
Holding the Toms River's Tree City Award, McGuckin said the township "has one of the strictest tree ordinances in the state," and has recently hired a forester to fortify tree protection.
"We make every effort to save our trees that last much longer than many of us do," he said.
"We certainly support our military personal and their families and the tree and monument are a worthwhile tribute," said Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, who was also present.
Teresa Frassetto said she had no doubt the township would keep their promise to plant a tree in her son's name.
"I know that they would," she said. "If they say they will do it, they will do it."
She liked the idea of the tree being a Ginkgo biloba because the Ginkgo plant is known for aiding memory.
"It's a memory tree as well as a remembrance tree," she said.
Though Brush said it was unfortunate the ceremony had to be held inside due yesterday's showers, fate would have it that Frassetto liked the rainfall.
"I think Vinny would have liked this very much," said Marc Lockwood, Frassetto's best friend, who stood outside of the municipal complex to see the tree. "He is probably laughing at us right now because we are standing in the rain. He really liked the rain."
Ellie