The winning Christmas Tree was decorated by members of Gloucester City Junior Girls Scout Troop 30083. Troop leader Helen John.

Second place, Gloucester City Softball League.

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When: Sunday, December 19, 2010
Time: ETA 6:00 PM (to 6:30 PM as we are dependent on the flight arrival status)
Where: 21 Red Oak Drive
Tabernacle, NJ 08088

Please come out to welcome home Cpl. Brendan Gillen from serving in Afghanistan.

He grew up in Medford Lakes and is a graduate of Shawnee High School where he played football and lacrosse

Cpl. Gillen is a Sniper for the Marines. He joined the Marine Corp in May 2007

He attended Boot Camp at Paris Island in North Carolina and joined the India Company 3/12.

His wife, Ellen is active in the U.S. Navy. Her rank is Petty Officer Third Class HM3. Ellen joined the Navy in 2005 where she received a medal in marksmanship. She was stationed at Marian Base Camp Pendleton in California in 2006 and works in the Naval Hospital.

In May of 2008, Cpl. Gillen was deployed to The Middle East in support of the war on terrorism

In May of 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12 Marines, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines and just returned from his tour recently.

Friends, Family, The Warriors Watch, The Yellow Ribbon Club, The New Jersey State Police, The Medford Farms Fire Company, and The Tabernacle Rescue Squad, along with The Township of Tabernacle will be on hand to make some noise and welcome home this hero in Rock Star style.

Hope to see you there.

Welcome Back From Afghanistan Cpl. Ryan Eugene Radwanski, of Bridgewater

Please come out to welcome home Cpl. Ryan Radwanski from serving in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Ryan Radwanski and his wife Julia will be stopping at Dunkin\’ Donuts on 1059 Route 202 N., Unit 9, Branchburg, NJ 08876 for coffee around 1 PM Sunday afternoon. They will then be escorted in Welcome Home Fashion to 104 Catherine Lane where we hope you can join us.

Cpl Radwanski is 20 years old and serves in The Marine Corps. Cpl Radwanski is the son of Jill and Paull Radwanski and is married to Julia.

Ryan’s Brother Eric also proudly serves in the Marine Corps and is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Ryan has two sisters; Kim and Amy, both in high school

Ryan graduated from Bridgewater Raritan High School in 2008 with honors and received his Varsity letter all four years for Wrestling.

Ryan earned an Eagle Scout award in 2008 for Boy Scout Troop 84 Somerville

He enlisted in Marines Oct 2008 and graduated Parris Island Dec 2008 where he received a meritorious promotion upon graduation as a result of his Eagle Scout status causing him to graduate as Private First Class.

Ryan received a second meritorious promotion earning the rank of Lance Corporal while serving in Recruiter’s Assistance in Dec. 2008

Ryan received the promotion to Corporal – March 2010

Ryan was deployed to Afghanistan April 2010-Nov 2010

Medals & Ribbons:
National Defense M+R
Global War on Terrorism M+R
Afghanistan Campaign Medal M+R
Sea Service R
NATO ISAF Medal M+R
Combat Action Ribbon R

Friends, Family, The Warriors Watch, and The Bridgewater Fire & Police Departments, along with Bridgewater Township will be on hand to make some noise and welcome home this hero in Rock Star style.

Hope to see you there.

*Media Welcome*

Jeffrey Sanderson, president Gloucester City Professional Firefighters Union FMBA

However it seems that every year, the news about Christmas covers increasingly secular topics: Christmas weather, Christmas shopping, Christmas crime, Christmas travel, Christmas crowds, etc. The religious aspect of the holiday gets shoved aside.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I\’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir\’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. 

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn\’t envy another\’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn\’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn\’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can\’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust,

but giving the gift of love will endure.

 God Bless, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011 !

 submitted by Cathi Gottert

\”There\’s nothing quite like cozying up in front of a fireplace or wood stove when the weather is really cold, but wood smoke contains pollutants – and some of your neighbors may not be able to tolerate it,\” said DEP Assistant Commissioner Nancy Wittenberg. \”If you are going to use a fireplace, wood stove or even a wood boiler, there are some steps you can take to minimize your impact on the environment, your neighbors, and your own health.\”

We have one Soldier coming home in the evening in Gloucester City. 

Great news….we have another coming home earlier in the day. 

As fate would have it these guys have known each other for some time, but don’t know they are returning home the same day. With a little luck and encouragement, we will be putting these two heros together for a memorable re-union they will not soon forget. Daniel’s Mom is going to be at Jose’s Welcome Home at 2:30 and Invite him to join them at Daniel’s at 8:00. This is one not to be missed.

Army Specialist Jose Acevedo is returning from a tour in Afghanistan. 

Jose was born and raised in Gloucester city, and actively involved in all sports when he was in school. Gloucester city little league, Carmen Palmiero basketball and Gloucester City Mustang football and a member of St Mary’s Parish. As he entered High School he became involved with NJROTC training and focusing on his career in the military that he decided he was going to take. Jose graduated in June 08 and went right into the US Army. He went to Basic combat training at Ft Sill in Oaklahoma, where he was an honor grad. From there he went to training for transportation in Ft Leonardwood in Missouri. Jose received 2 promotions in the first year of his career. He has recently served the last year in Afghanistan with the 24 trans. He has 1 brother and a nephew. Jose enjoys his career path and always says that they do not do it for the glory. After his brief return home he will be stationed at Ft Riley and will continue his career in the United States Army.

Please join the WWR, YRC, Family, Friends, Gloucester City Police, Fire and EMS in welcoming home another Hero in a way that makes America the great country it is. 

*Media Welcome* 

ETA 8 PM (to 8:30 PM as we are dependent on the flight arrival status)

Pinegrove Firehall, 829 Jersey Ave Gloucester City, NJ 08030

Please come out to welcome home Specialist Daniel Marquez from serving in Iraq. 

 
This was Specialist Marquez’s 2^nd tour in Iraq

He is now 24 years old and has been in the Army since graduating Gloucester City High School where he played football

His wife is Moana with son Jason and Daughter Neyla

Specialist Marquez is a rank of E-4 and is a tank diesel mechanic

He will be deploying to Afghanistan in 2011

Friends, Family, The Warriors Watch, The Yellow Ribbon Club, The Gloucester City Police Department, and The Gloucester City Fire Department along with Gloucester City will be on hand to make some noise and welcome home this hero in Rock Star style. 

Hope to see you there.