Legion post uncovers unmarked veterans’ graves and restores long-overdue honor
Union Beach, NJ – A Memorial Day flag detail at Shoreland Memorial Gardens in Hazlet led to a discovery that stunned American Legion Post 321: dozens of U.S. military veterans were buried in unmarked graves, their government-issued markers sitting in a storage closet with a sticky note that read, “Not Paid.”
The note revealed a practice that left fallen service members without headstones if families could not afford installation fees—often as high as $1,600. Though the Department of Veterans Affairs provides markers at no cost, cemeteries decide what to charge for installation. For years, this left heroes hidden, with families unable to find their loved ones’ final resting places.
Post 321, led by Commander William Gilkison, Squadron Commander Phil Ganz, and Chaplain Bob LaCour, immediately launched the Veterans Grave Marker Project to right the wrong. A fundraiser organized by Post member and Marine veteran Joe Pitch, alongside local band The Vinyl Renegades, raised more than $5,600 to cover installation costs.
This summer, Post 321 held ceremonies to finally honor veterans who had gone without recognition, including SSGT. Marie Freitag, USMC WR, a World War II veteran who died in 1993; Sgt. Jose Antonio Albino, U.S. Army, a Vietnam-era soldier and Union Beach resident who died in 1995; and Sr. Petty Officer Herman Lee Credle, a 22-year Navy veteran who died in 2020.
The ceremonies drew military leaders, veterans groups, family members, and youth cadets. Navy JROTC cadets from Neptune High School folded flags and stood in formation, while Post 321’s Honor Guard presented the Colors. Retired Green Beret Staff Sergeant Mark Antal, U.S. Army captains from Fordham University’s ROTC, and Navy leaders from NWS Earle joined in honoring the fallen.
Mark Otto, a Marine veteran and Director of the United War Veterans Council, provided personalized certificates for families and rallied additional support. Local organizations, including “Tim’s Earth Angels” Foundation, also contributed donations.
LaCour, who discovered the markers, has vowed to keep the mission alive. He says more unmarked veteran graves remain in Monmouth County and across the country. “We can’t let this go,” he said. “The American Legion Family vows that no Veteran will be forgotten.”
What began with a single handwritten note has grown into a community-driven mission to restore dignity to forgotten service members and bring closure to their families.
Key Points
- American Legion Post 321 discovered uninstalled veteran headstones marked “Not Paid” at Shoreland Memorial Gardens.
- Fundraising and community support enabled proper installation and ceremonies for multiple veterans.
- The Veterans Grave Marker Project continues to address unmarked veteran graves across New Jersey.
A community’s promise has ensured its heroes will never again rest in silence.