Wildwood's Vietnam War memorial inspires similar tribute to Korean War veterans

From Press of Atlantic City: Wildwood's Vietnam War memorial inspires similar tribute to Korean War veterans

By TRUDI GILFILLIAN, Staff Writer pressofAtlanticCity.com | 0 comments

WILDWOOD - The city's Vietnam Veterans Memorial near the beach and Boardwalk may be a half-sized replica, but it evokes deep feelings.

"It's the enormity of it, when you see the number of people," said Judy Gresko, who stopped during a visit from Ambler, Pa., to look at the monument that bears the names of more than 58,000 men and women.

She became tearful as she spoke of the reason for such memorials.

"It's so people realize what this country is all about, that people are willing to give their lives so we can stand here to look at monuments and enjoy things," she said.

That desire to remember prompted construction of the wall, which was dedicated May 29, 2010, and it has led to the creation of another monument nearby honoring those who served during the Korean War. The new monument will be formally dedicated Aug. 27.

"I made the comment during the May 29, 2010, dedication that the wall was for everyone, and (current Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr.) mentioned the need to remember Korean War veterans," said Vince DePrinzio, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Marines from 1964 to 1967.

DePrinzio is treasurer of the Wildwood-based Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 955 and worked with fellow veterans to bring the 240-feet-long replica wall to Five Mile Beach.

The effort started with small fundraisers in 2009 after a traveling version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial came to town. DePrinzio's cousin, Greg Mazzotta, who has since died, urged his fellow veterans to bring a permanent memorial to the city, but DePrinzio said many were surprised at how quickly it came together.

The veterans raised more than $120,000, and within two years of the traveling wall's visit the permanent memorial was in place.

One of the men who supported the effort, Jimmer Muldoon, a Korean War combat veteran, also spent countless hours working to get the Korean War memorial in place. He died July 5 at age 81. The monument will be dedicated in his honor.

"Jimmer was here just about every day for this and helping people find names (on the wall)," DePrinzio said.

The new memorial depicts a soldier in his rain gear with the words "The Forgotten War" underneath. The monument is 7 feet wide and nearly 4 feet high.

"One of our anonymous vets conceived the idea, and Mike Gallo of MG Signs made it," DePrinzio said.

As DePrinzio spoke, a group of visitors from Clark Summit, Pa., stopped at the wall as they took part in the global positioning game known as geocaching. After finding the hidden cache at the wall, they spoke to DePrinzio.

"It's kind of impressive," said Mark Reboli, who was visiting with his sons, Evan and Teagan, and his mother, Lorraine Reboli. "You did a real nice job."

The veterans group is looking for help paying for the newest monument, which cost about $7,200. But DePrinzio, who lost friends in Vietnam, said it is hard to place a value on such things.

"I'm overwhelmed we were able to do it," DePrinzio said.