LONGPORT – The borough’s annual Memorial Day parade and service has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but members of the American Legion Post 469 are hoping residents and visitors will show their patriotic spirit wearing T-shirts being sold to raise funds for future events.
Longport will miss the parade which attracts families and local military and veteran’s groups, but people can still commemorate the day meant to remember those who died fighting to protect American freedoms.
“Borough officials and I put off a decision as long as feasible, but the decision was made last week,” Post Commander Larry Pacentrilli said. “Right now, we’re just hoping all is well in time for September’s Wounded Warrior Week, which means we’ll need to know it’s a go as early as mid-June to start making all the preparations.”
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt locally as the post’s fundraising revenue is about $5,000 short of last year’s revenue.
The post uses donated funds to conduct patriotic events and activities, such as its annual Constitutional Essay Contest, Character and Citizenship Awards for students of the Margate schools, the 9-11 Memorial Service and the Wounded Warrior Week celebration, which provides an injured serviceman or woman with a one week all-expense-paid vacation in Longport at the end of the summer season. A welcoming parade passes through all three Downbeach communities.
To help eliminate the shortfall, the post is selling patriotic T-shirts with a portion of the proceeds going to support post activities.
“LiberTees” tank tops, T-shirts and sweatshirts with a Memorial Day theme are being sold for $20 and $25 with $5 from every sale going to Post 469. The T-shirts, which boast patriotic colors and themes, can be purchased online and shipped free of charge directly to the purchaser.
T-shirts can be ordered at https://express.luckydogcustomapparel.com/libertees/shop/home
For additional information, contact Larry Pacentrilli at lapace@comcast.net.
