By MADDY VITALE
Two military families got a very enthusiastic welcome from the Ocean City community Sunday afternoon as a precursor to their weeklong vacations, thanks to American Legion Post 524’s Rest & Relaxation Program.
The ceremony at the post at 46th Street and West Avenue included presentations of gifts and tokens of appreciation for the military members and their family for their bravery and sacrifice.
The honorees, Air Force Staff Sgt. Dustin Panaccione and his family and Air Force Senior Airman Isaiah Schwarber and his family, each had special rides to the post.
A police and fire department motorcade and an escort into town by the Legion Riders motorcycle brigade gave the families an idea of how much they are appreciated.
A flag flew atop an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck across 46th Street and West Avenue for the military families to see as they approached the post.
“We just want to help support the veterans and the American Legion with this amazing program,” Fire Chief Bernie Walker said.
The families are selected by the post’s Rest and Relaxation, or R&R committee, headed by co-chairs Joe Masington and Jerry Bonner. The families are treated to a free weeklong vacation at a donated condominium, courtesy of the post and local families.
Panaccione, a 12-year-member of the military, his wife, Alexa, and their three sons, Hudson, 10, Weston, 6, and 3-year-old Lawson, smiled as they got out of their SUV after the motorcade into town.
Sgt. Panaccione thanked everyone responsible for making their vacation happen during a ceremony later in the program.
“This is unbelievable,” he said. “I want to thank everybody from the legion who helped out and the motorcycle riders, police, ambulance, fire trucks. The kids loved it.”
Alexa Panaccione said in an interview that she and the entire family are grateful for the generosity of Ocean City and the post.
She said she had tears in her eyes as they approached the post because of the heartfelt welcoming.
“This is more than we could ever have imagined,” she said. “Just the parade itself was amazing. And the owners of the house who donated it for us are so generous. We don’t feel deserving of it.”
The Schwarber family also showed their thanks and appreciation for their weeklong vacation and for the warm welcome they received.
Schwarber, his wife, Shauna, and their three children, Emma, 6, Eleanor, 1, and 3-month-old Isaiah Jr., made their arrival and chatted with the veterans and other officials as they got out of their van.
During the ceremony, Schwarber, who has been in the military for seven years, spoke of how thankful he is for his family to be chosen for the vacation.
“I would like to thank everybody. This is more than we could dream of,” he said. “Everybody, from law enforcement to the legion, firefighters, everybody sitting right here, I’d like to thank you.”
Emma Schwarber’s birthday is July 25. As a surprise, she was called up to the front of the post and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to her.
The R&R Program began in 2013 “as a way to pay tribute to service men and women for sacrifices made during their time in the military,” Masington said. “Whenever military personnel are deployed, their families also share in that deployment, and we support their efforts as well.”
Among the highlights of the program was the presentation of a Quilt of Valor to Panaccione and then to Schwarber. The quilts are personalized and handmade.
The families received gifts from local businesses such as gift cards, candies and ride tickets.
Mayor Jay Gillian also gave each family a ceremonial key to the city.
“It is amazing what you do and when I look at the fire, police and the teamwork, and I think of all the veterans, everybody here today, it means a lot,” Gillian said. “I want to thank everybody. I don’t know how you do it, but thank God you do. We are so appreciative.”
Another highlight was from Cape May County Commissioner Andrew Bulakowski, liaison to the Cape May County Park & Zoo. He presented each family with special passes to the zoo that would include a private tour.
For more information about American Legion Post 524, call 609-398-1751 or visit www.legion524ocnj.org.
