Clifton Merchant Magazine - November 2016

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By Douglas John Bowen

Ryan Gabel’s experience in the Marines included big vehicles, and it helped to shape his civilian life in uplifting if somewhat unexpected small-scale fashion.

Gabel enlisted on May 18, 2009, roughly one year after graduating from CHS. “I was just working before I joined,” said Gabel. “It was something I had been thinking about, but my parents wanted me to hold off for a bit before I went out and joined.”

Gabel was always a do-it-yourselfer.

Self-motivated, he and his brother David ran a DJ company where they provided sound systems for events. He also worked at various jobs in the community, from dishing out ice cream to working retail.

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But in May 2009, Gabel’s life took a “When I got there [Camp different route, as he shipped out for Lejeune], it took a year or so to be three months of boot camp at Parris called [for duty in Afghanistan], and Island in South Carolina. by that time, I was ready for it,” “It lived up to a lot of the expectaGabel continued. “It’s something tions and things I was told,” he said, you work to do. Everything else is adding, “Some of it, not so much, but it kind of just a gray area.” was definitely tough,” he recalled of his early days in service. “Mentally Managing multiple tank tasks tough, more than anything.”

“My specific MOS (Military The overall result, he said, was that Occupational Specialty) was an he became focused. “I like the cama1812 M1A1 Abrams Tank raderie, I like helping people out,” he Crewman. My specific job on the Ryan Gabel in 2008 at CHS, said. “Tanks had always interested me four-man crew was the Gunner,” On previous page, in 2010 a lot and I always liked the idea of fightGabel said. The M1 Abrams is with a M1A1 tank and today ing for my country.” named after General Creighton at the AAA with Otto the Auto.

Following boot camp, he was transAbrams, former Army chief of staff fered to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for three months of trainand commander of United States military forces in the ing to become a tank gunner. He was then assigned to Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972. Considered a “thirdCamp Lejeune, a 246-square-mile military facility in generation” US main battle tank, the M1 Abrams is Jacksonville, North Carolina, where Gabel waited for designed for modern armored ground warfare and is one year before getting deployed to Afghanistan in July also considered to be highly mobile.

2011.

Gabel observed that the mobility factor came into At that time, US involvement in Afghanistan was play during his in Afghanistan. “The type of combat nearing the 10-year mark; US forces first entered [arena] was typically mud compounds spread through Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, in large measure as a out the desert,” he said. “We would get word of insurresponse to the Sept. 11 terror attacks on New York’s gents at said location and we would typically go in supWorld Trade Center and on the Pentagon in Arlington, port. We found a lot of productivity supporting snipers.

Va. (Washington, D.C.).

They would come in and make contact with the enemy “I was told a lot before I enlisted about how if you go and, as was typical of the insurgents, they would really in now, you’re pretty much going to go (to Afghanistan start fighting when the snipers turned to leave. That’s or Iraq),” Gabel said. “But I was fine with that.” when we would typically crest whatever hill or 16,000 Magazines are distributed to hundreds of Clifton Merchants on the first Friday of every month.

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obstacle we were behind and lay down 120mm of hate and discontent, while providing our snipers a safe route of extract.

“When we weren’t operating in that nature we would typically use the long-range weapons systems of the tank to support Engineer units as they built roads or other fobs (forward observation bases). We would typically watch for insurgents laying IEDs (improvised explosive devices) or posing any kind of threat to coalition forces,” he said.

“It was definitely an experience, that’s for sure,” Gabel said of his tour of combat duty. “I mean, there are not many words that can explain it... I try to look at it as, it was a job and I went over there and did what I had to do.”

“I feel like our unit actually made a difference,” he continued. “We did a lot of clearing routes so that other convoys could move through and get supplies to the people that needed it.”

Gabel returned to the US in May, 2013, finishing up his service stint at Camp Lejeune with a little more than a year remaining on his contract. He seriously consid-

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ered making the Marines a lifetime career, telling Clifton Magazine in 2012, “It’s a really tough decision.

Can I leave the job that definitely pays me every month? I absolutely enjoy it.”

“It’s definitely helped me grow up,” he continued.

“I’m more responsible now... you’ve got to be when you work with a 70-ton vehicle,” he said.

Gabel chose instead to re-enter civilian life, ending his military tour on May 18, 2013. “I was a Lance Corporal upon leaving the Marine Corps with my Honorable Discharge,” he said.

Enter Otto the Auto Gabel said his return to civilian life has been relatively smooth, unlike many of his less fortunate comrades-inarms whose difficulties are only now beginning to be recognized by the civilian population at large.

Indeed, he said, “The Marine Corps can relate to many aspects of life, and although I no longer service the 72-ton beast, I am still able to utilize a massive amount of skills that I would not have without the Marine Corps and the entire tank community.”

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Gabel has transferred and molded that skill set into another way to protect lives, albeit in quite different circumstances.

“For my current job, I work for AAA North Jersey where I run a program called The Otto the Auto program,” he said. “I utilize a large remote control car to assist me in teaching young children grades K through 3 how to cross the street.”

Otto the Auto, a nationwide safe-

ty and awareness effort, has existed in some form (originally as an educational cartoon) for more than 60 years. But Gabel’s experience with tanks comes in handy for operating today’s “live action” Otto cartoon car via remote control.

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tool Gabel employs for his job, however. “With this position, sure, I’m required to talk to kids, but its not in a simple classroom,” he pointed out. “Most often there are 200 kids in a gym, and I don’t prefer to use a microphone, so that loud voice I learned in the Marine Corps comes in handy daily.

“There are many other skills that transfer into my civilian life,” he added. “You just have to really look for the uses.”

Empathy for fellow vets, past and present Gabel emphasized that applying those skills, and finding those uses, or even a feeling of usefulness, can hound returning veterans in a way civilians, even well-meaning civilians, may find hard to recognize.

That’s true even for the lucky ones, veterans like himself, relatively whole in body and mind, he pointed out. No one is immune.

“Sure, there were bumps” in readjusting to civilian life, Gabel said. “While I was in the Marine Corps I deployed to Afghanistan, and like many other veterans, no one returns the same. That means that even if you sat behind a desk at the safest base in Afghanistan, it will still change your life. And it can effect everyone differently, not only for tankers, grunts, etc.

“And its been that way with every war, I might add, not just Afghanistan,” Gabel observed, taking a long-range view of US military service personnel. “I personally believe we had it a lot better then some other vets. Vietnam comes strongly to mind.

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“I do currently utilize injuries or the need to the G.I. Bill and it is, by mainstream veterans “While I was in the Marine Corps I far, one of the most fantasback into society. deployed to Afghanistan, and like many tic benefits for vets. I am Gabel finds such a other veterans, no one returns the same. viewpoint counterproable to pursue my degree with the peace of mind, ductive, if not outright That means that even if you sat behind knowing that there is virtuselfish. a desk at the safest base in Afghanistan, ally a limitless amount of “I find that society, at it will still change your life.” possibilities as far as classtimes, views veterans as es, for me personally, but a fad,” he said. “The also for others, like technitruth is I still have cal schools, certificate programs, etc.” friends that I served with that lose the battle with PTSD The G.I. Bill, officially Servicemen’s Readjustment [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder], depression, anxiety, Act of 1944, was passed to offer assistance to US vetalmost daily. The Veterans Administration attempts to erans returning from service during World War II. help these veterans but, unfortunately, it seems they’re Among other things, it established hospitals, made more interested in prescribing a cure rather then findlow-interest mortgages available for numerous vetering the root of the problem.” ans establishing families after the war, and granted Gabel made it clear that he’s not out to trash-talk the stipends covering tuition and expenses for veterans VA, because in many cases “they do offer outstanding attending college or trade schools. care. I personally have an outstanding primary care But the bill hasn’t been a cure-all for many veterans physician, and I don’t typically have a problem getting beset by mental and emotional problems, continually an appointment.” dismissed by some as less consequential than physical But, he said, “I still feel there is work to be done.”

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By Joe Hawrylko As a 23-year-old college graduate, Victoria Lotorto did not follow the typical path for Army recruits. In September of 2015, just as she was on the cusp of earning her degree in business management from William Paterson University, Lotorto decided to forgo entering the workforce, instead opting to enlist in the Army Reserves.

Now she’s freshly graduated from Army Reserve Advanced Individual Training in Fort Gordon, Georgia, where she learned how to perform her job as an IT specialist.

“I was there with all of the other Bravo 25s - IT specialists. I just got back, and I am adjusting to normal life. I might change my mind and want to go active duty some day, but for now I am going to stick with the Reserves,” explained Lotorto, who graduated from Clifton High School in 2011 and still lives in Clifton.

“I went in as an enlisted soldier instead of an officer because I was undecided. I could always go later if I decide I want to, and you get more respect if you’re enlisted first,” she said.

Lotorto never took ROTC while at Clifton High, but was considering the military for several years before taking the plunge.

“Enlisting was something that was always on my mind, but I never did much work in looking into it more,” she added. “However, as I was getting closer to completing college, I thought about it some more, and realized it was something I really wanted to do. I am a specialist now. I can become an officer if I want, but it 14 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Victoria Lotorto CHS 2011 and today after boot camp.

isn’t something I am really looking into right now. But I enlisted after college not because I wanted to be an officer, but because I wanted to do normal college stuff first,” she said.

Lotorto said enlisting as a 22year-old rather than an 18-year-old straight out of high school helped her out during her rigorous boot camp, which took place at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, from February 29 through May 9.

“Our group was actually an older group. Most of us were 21 to 24, we had a couple 30-something-yearolds, and then a bunch of 18- and 19-year-olds,” she recalled. “Going to college first and being older, it does make you a little bit more mature going in. But you learn real fast that not all 23-year-olds are mature. The Army exposes you to a lot of different people.”

“Boot camp, they pretty much yell at you all the time. I did a little bit of research about it online before going in, but that can’t prepare you for what you

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actually experience.

It’s demanding, physically and mentally,” Lotorto continued.

“They push you to your limits every day. That being said, I enjoyed it. One of my favorite memories was shooting M249 machine gun, which was a lot of fun. I just would never want to do boot camp again. But the Army definitely changed me.

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Lotorto explained that she has long admired the pride that veterans have in their country, With (from left) sister Caitlin, mom Lisa, dad Joe, and brother Patrick Lotorto. but she was not directly motimy country,” she added. “I like what the Army stands vated by relatives or friends. for, and the feeling of pride you get from enlisting and “Both of my grandfathers served after being drafted, serving.” but I have no one else in my family who served or “It was a pretty easy choice for me,” she continmotivated me to enlist. I just like the idea of serving ued. “I didn’t want to do Marines, because they have very few options as far as jobs. Navy, I am not really a fan of boats or swimming, so I crossed that off my list. Air Force, I am really not into planes or flying, and it’s a bit more relaxed than the other branches. The Army just made sense to me. The Army is one of the oldest branches, and it also has a lot of job opportunities.”

A horseback rider from the age of 10, Lotorto has long dreamt of having a career that involves working with animals, and originally joined the Army reserves with the intention of kickstarting that career.

“My sister, Kaitlin, used to ride horses when she was younger, and I ended up getting into it years later,” she explained.

“I really wanted to be an animal care specialist, but because I am a Reservist, I was limited. I ended up getting an IT job in the Reserves. I know I can get a good civilian job due to my training, and I can work in IT full ON THE time in the civilian world. And being in Reserves BALLOT allows me to pursue my true passion: working with aniPaid for by Rosemary Pino mals. Down the road, I definitely want to work with animals. It has been my dream for a while, and I would TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2016 love to pursue that in some fashion.”

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Mark Scarpa tried college after graduating CHS in 2008. “I went to college maybe two months. I didn’t really like it; it wasn’t for me,” he said. “I wanted to go do something else and wound up joining the Army.”

Today, after his four year hitch and now a Senior Aircraft Maintenance Tech for Republic Airlines, Scarpa is something of a scholar.

Thanks to the GI Bill, he first went to the Teterboro School of Aeronomics for aircraft mechanics. His next stop was the FAA to test and pass tests for his air frame and power plant license.

Scarpa, now 26, just completed an AA degree in Avionics at Bergen Community College and is now at Thomas Edison College—on his own dime—where he will get a BS in Aviation Maintenance Technology.

Impressive for a kid that felt college wasn’t for him.

“Being in the military helped me to get the drive to get things done,” he said, noting he has been with Republic for a year and a half and already received his first promotion. “The service taught me to hustle, to focus and to come up with a clear plan and execute.”

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Scarpa went to basic in January 2009 at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, spending six months in basic with additional training to become a military police (MP) officer. On July 13, 2009, he deployed to Seoul, South Korea, and was attached to the 142nd Military Police Company, 94th Military Police Battalion.

“Over there, military police were like regular cops,” explained Scarpa. While his stepdad Sam Skidmore is a retired Clifton Police Officer, Scarpa said working on engines became his calling. “This became my true passion and I figured I’d enjoy my day-to-day life more.”

While his time in Korea was pretty quiet, he did note a hot period: “When North Korea sunk that South Korean ship [ROKS Cheonan, on March 26, 2010], they recalled all of us and we had to check all of our gear and all this craziness. It was pretty wild,” he added.

Scarpa said his time in Korea gave him a worldly perspective. “I can’t even compare it to anything else. I was 18 years old, just out of high school. And I was in a foreign country for the first time ever, and in the military. It was an incredible experience.”

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Scarpa returned stateside in July 2010 to Ft. Drum, NY, and the 10th Mountain Division, 563rd Military Police Company, 91st MP Battalion. “It wasn’t so much regular police stuff, but working at the company, training to deploy to go to Afghanistan,” said Scarpa. “We maintained our equipment, we were in the field a lot, going to ranges and shooting.”

He was discharged on Feb. 24, 2012, with the rank of specialist. What did his time in teach him?

“Timeliness. Being ready. Showing up early,” he said. “You can always tell the guys that served,” he said about his co-workers at the airport. “They show up 45 minutes early. They have a great work ethic. It does not matter what branch you were in. You have that little extra kick to get things done... to complete the task.”

Any regrets about not staying in? “I look back and there are some times that I miss it, and usually I go ‘Wow, it’s really good to be out,’” said Scarpa. “But overall I feel I learned a lot and really feel that it gave me a good work ethic and made me really disciplined.

I used to be a really messy person and now instead I’m always cleaning stuff, always trying to tidy up,” he said.

“I can’t really explain it. It’s a sense of urgency to get as much done as fast as possible.” Carry on soldier.

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By Tom Szieber Mario Rutigliano had spent two tours in Iraq, first in 2003-2004, then again in 2006-2007. In many ways, he had forgotten about the danger he was exposed to, beginning at the young age of 19. Despite regularly witnessing (and often being a participant in) warfare and firefights, he had no plans to leave the United States Army.

He enjoyed the people he was with. The camaraderie. The brotherhood.

But one incident during his third tour of duty, 20092010, changed everything, and caused him to start planning a long trek back to civilian life.

As he was patrolling an Iraqi town, a roadside bomb went off, hitting an Iraqi Army pickup truck. The 22 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

explosion struck the back end of Rutigliano’s truck and disabled it. As his unit attempted to determine the origin of the detonation, a secondary bomb (triggered by the first) exploded. The blast knocked Rutigliano unconscious, and it put him in a Baghdad hospital— though luckily only with a concussion.

Still, the incident forced him to start considering his life after the military.

“I had started to feel that my time had started to run its course,” said Rutigliano, CHS Class of 2002. “Even when I came home for months at a time, I was training for my next deployment. I was getting hurt a lot. And I’d been through another blast while on patrol that took one of my colleagues’ legs off. After talking to my

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family, I had to start thinking about coming home [permanently].”

By the time he concluded his eightyear, three-tour tenure, he’d spent 39 months in Iraq, and seen things most of us could never fathom.

“You’re just a kid [19] when you’re first deployed. No one cares about your age.

But when the guns are firing, the bombs are going off, you don’t get that free ride.

You’re a soldier,” Rutigliano said.

Belief in a cause, and some regret Soldiers often experience bloodshed and violence and death. But Rutigliano also saw towns liberated, people freed from oppression, and lives saved.

“Look at that country before we were there. [The Iraqi people] had to live their life exactly how they were told. We would go into towns held by an oppressive regime and literally free people. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

He had some lingering regret for not staying with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment longer than he did.

“Guys that have type-A personalities, guys that like challenges, they end up in Infantry,” he said. “You go into every day feeling like you’re making a difference.”

But in that Baghdad hospital during his 2009-2010 tour, Rutigliano also realized he’d had enough.

That’s Rutigliano on the top right of each of these photos.

A long and winding road to school Rutigliano received his honorable discharge in 2011.

Five years later, he works for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey while utilizing the New G.I. Bill to earn his Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in Justice Studies at Montclair State University. Rutigliano plans to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“There was no ‘epiphany’ moment’” for his decision to return to school, he stressed; “I just knew I had to settle down.”

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Instead of a “moment,” there was five years of slow adjustment. Rutigliano struggled—successfully, but struggled all the same—upon returning to civilian life, taking on random jobs to make ends meet until entering school this year.

Without the structure of the military, Rutigliano had to assimilate to a less predictable, less routine-oriented daily (or “normal”) existence. And he has yet to shed some sensitivity to certain stimuli, some of it intense, that he accrued during his years of service.

“In the military you’re told when to wake up, eat, and sleep,” Rutigliano said. “When you get out,

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Mario Rutigliano in 2002 and the CHS Wrestling team, from top left: Coach Parlavecchio, Ed Gomez, Rich Fischer, Walter Bukovskye, Russ Kolondenker, Anthony Giganti, Asst. Coach Clerico, Dennis Darzanoff, Matt Wright, Harry Ortiz, John Gonzales, Teddy Kwolek, Alberto Tirado, Ed Crespo, Head Coach Niglio. Kneeling from left: Pete Fitzpatrick, Omar Rojas, Alex Vasquez, Mario Rutigliano, Craig Bleaken, Joey Rutigliano, John Whiting (Missing: Joshua Soler).

it’s like, ‘It’s your life again, go nuts.’ Loud noises bothered me when I first came back. I still don’t like having my back to things. I don’t like large groups. I’m still conditioned to perceive threats.”

He values what he’s learned on the battlefield and in the classroom. “You really can’t overstate the value of an education,” he said. “And I can say the same for the education I got [during the time I served]. When you exit high school, by all definitions you’re still a kid.

When I entered the Army it was ingrained in me that by the end of it, some of us would go to war. I knew the lessons I learned were going to dictate whether I lived or died. ... It forces you to grow up very fast,” Rutigliano asserted.

But growing up doesn’t mean one going it alone.

MSU offers on-campus counseling service for veterans, which he does utilize. More important to Rutigliano, though, is the support network his 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment mates have instituted, primarily through Facebook. “Now that the job is over, this does not mean we lose touch,” he said. “If someone needs a ‘tuneup,’ if somebody needs help, we make sure we visit. We look after our own.”

26 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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By Douglas John Bowen The name Lester W. Weber doesn’t mean much to most of us. But USMC Corp. Weber means the world—and his 68 years on planet Earth—to Roy F. Sherman.

Sherman, born in Hoboken and now a Clifton resident, was honored by the St. Philip the Apostle Knights of Columbus Council Tank Pull Committee; it presented a Track Chair to Sherman, to address his mobility needs.

Sherman was wounded, and also sprayed with Agent Orange defoliant, while in Vietnam. And the memory of Lester Weber’s sacrifice remains foremost on Sherman’s mind and in his heart.

He explained: “On Feb. 23, 1969, weapons platoon was called to reactionary situation because a squad of Marines were pinned down about a klick (kilometer) up the road. Lance Corporal Weber (that’s his photo top of page) did not have to go out with us because he was a short-timer,” Sherman pointed out. “But because I was green, and he didn’t want any of his men to be hurt because I was inexperienced, he came out.”

“At 6:03 a.m. we walked into an L-shaped ambush.

We actually fought hand-to-hand in the beginning, then all hell broke loose. An enemy soldier in a spider hole 28 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Marine Sgt. Roy F. Sherman was about to end my journey when Weber pushed me out of the way and putting himself in harm’s way.

“Weber was mortally wounded, and I myself temporarily blinded, as we held the enemy for six hours. We lost 11 Marines that day and Lester Weber, too, as well as 17 wounded. I pulled two of those Marines to safety and continued to hold down our position. That was my first battle, and I was scared *hitless.

“I tell this story because not only did Corporal Weber save my life, but those of five other Marines. He died in my arms, and I’ll carry that moment with me all my life.

“I received three Purple Hearts, but no medal can replace a man. I’ve always said that the heros are those who make the ultimate sacrifice. I am just a witness to tell of their heroics,” he said.

Eager to serve Sherman joined the Marines on July 23, 1968, and finished boot camp in Parris Island on Sept. 21. After Christmas, he was posted at Okinawa prior to arriving in Danang, Vietnam, and dispatched “to Hill 10, seven miles southwest of Danang,” he said.

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Above, Roy and his wife Maria Celeste Sherman. At right, after presenting Sherman with his motorized chair, Knights from left: Tony Latona, John Hughes, unidentified, Ray Lill, David Cordero.

That’s where Sherman met Weber. “He didn’t have much time left in the Corp after two tours in Vietnam,” he said. Weber was “an easy-going guy, but cared so much about the 15 men he commanded,” and died trying to protect.

Seeking help stateside Sherman was wounded but recovered after an eight-day hospital stay. In mid-March, he was wounded again by fire, as a Vietnamese mortar attack destroyed a lower bunker, generating flames that lashed at Sherman’s own bunker and “caught me full on my face. That was number two,” he said in a phone interview.

At the end of the month, Sherman was shot in the arm, possibly by a sniper, as enemy troops swept past his position before US troops opened fire.

“The bullet passed clean through. There was no real damage,” laughed the three-time Purple Heart recipient.

“I was a big target—six-three and a machine gunner.”

Agent Orange did the damage bullets did not. “That’s what disabled me,” Sherman said. “They (US officials) never admitted to it; all they said was it was ‘more than likely’ the diabetes was caused by Agent Orange.

“I had a hard time trying to prove that diabetes could be caused by Agent Orange; [it took] 33 years and a class-action suit,” Sherman recalled. For all the frustra30 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

tion, the protracted delay wasn’t totally malevolent.

“Remember, back then the hospitals were flooded with Vietnam vets seeking treatment for a number of issues.”

“Since moving to Clifton I was told of a center in Hackensack and, believe me, the treatment was outstanding. You’re addressed by name. The doctors are top-notch — courteous, caring, and knowledgeable. I tip my hat to them, for our veterans deserve quality service.”

To top it all off, Sherman has an 85% loss of hearing in one year, which he also attributes to combat. “But I you’re not getting credit for that,” he quipped, adding, “I didn’t want the money; I wanted the hearing aid.”

Ailments aside, Sherman found that upon his return to the US, it was “very easy to find a job, and when we came out, we came out in droves.” Sherman worked at St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City for two years, then “picked up a couple of jobs on the side as an exterminator, and also as a Hertz Rent-A-Car dispatcher, then worked at the Post Office for 32 years.

His Track Chair can reach speeds of “about eight miles an hour,” making it easier for him to visit “all the doctors on Clifton Avenue.”

Expect to see Sherman at the next June Tank Pull Challenge, especially since he accepted a seat on the Tank Pull Competition Board of Directors, which oversees the annual event at 1100 Clifton Ave.

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How does that 1980s recruiting slogan go – “It’s more than a job. It’s an adventure!” Oscar Buonafina pauses. “Uh, … sure, there can be some adventure. But more than anything, defending America is a job. A really important one. And hard work.”

That slogan, thinks Buonafina, a husband and father, business owner, staff sergeant, and Army reservist, reflects some of the romanticism that surrounds modern perceptions of veterans and life in the military.

He believes that many Americans do not really understand that it is no longer like the movies, or memories of World War II or Vietnam, where you fought with your buddies in the trenches, when infantry was the main fighting experience. Back then, you came home to tell stories about your experiences, including many tales of sorrow.

“I deploy with an engineering unit. On one of my recent tours, it was my job to supervise military contractors working on US installations.”

What?!

Well, that sure does not sound like adventure.

32 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

The Back Story The youngest of the Baby Boomers still remember the modern draft, involuntary conscription, which officially ended on January 27, 1973. Even if you were not old enough to be drafted, or were a girl, Baby Boomers remember a brother, a cousin, or the kid next door who had to “sign up” at age 17.

Then everyone waited for the dreaded birthday lottery to see if their “number” was called to report for active duty.

Some hailed the draft as the great social equalizer.

Military experts say that was not true. The system was filled with middle-class parents convincing doctors to find something wrong with their boy to get a medical deferment. Or wrangled with politicians to get their son a job as a warehouse clerk on a military base. Postpone service by enrolling in college, hoping the war would end. Draft dodgers. Conscientious objectors. Anything to stay out of combat.

Plus, say military experts, during World War II and Vietnam, training was difficult.

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Boys off the farm who could barely read or write, high school dropouts, personality disorders, unprepared and immature – there were no filters, no minimum standards to be met. Since the draft was involuntary, the public perception was that it was a duty, an obligation, but not a job. You had to serve. But that has changed.

Ask Buonafina.

“I’m honored to serve,” the US Army Staff Sgt. stated. “It is no longer a duty, but it is a privilege. However, more than an honor, more than a privilege, it’s important for people to understand that we are doing a vital job—and definitely not just an adventure.”

The Look of the New Military Vietnam was the last American large-scale ground war. The job of a soldier was to fight man-to-man on the ground. Like World War I and World War II, the casualty numbers were brutal. The resistance was fierce. The military re-tooled.

With voluntary enlistment, the logic was that men, and now women, who chose the military life were aware of the risk and therefore more capable of managing it, of surviving under stress. Standards were raised and the

Ana, Oscar, Landon, Isaiah.

unqualified were rejected. Emphasis was placed on developing equipment and technology for offense and defense – not use people. The reserves, once viewed as a Plan B group of guys, became a central tool in managing and fulfilling US military strategy.

98 YEARS OF SERVICE TO VETERANS, OUR COMMUNITY & PRESENT-DAY MILITARY

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Encouraged by his father, he joined the United States Army Air Service where he became a fighter pilot during World War I. Extremely popular with his fellow pilots and known for his daring, he was killed in aerial combat over France.

34 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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35

The folks who enlist full time, notes Buonafina, are younger, join right out of high school or college. Some go on to military careers, but those numbers are small.

They are supplemented by the reserves.

The people who sign up for the reserves are not in the military full time. They have jobs, families, are older, more mature, and more experienced.

“And that’s today’s military,” said Buonafina. “It relies more on engineers, technicians, intelligence, computers — less on the ground combat. There is still plenty of risk. After all, bombs, airstrikes kill.”

However, the military focus is on surveillance, deter-

rence, and destruction of infrastructure, less on destruction of people.

The numbers reflect this. In World War II, more than a million US soldiers died in combat, died of infection or illness, or were wounded. The number for Vietnam was 211,000. So far, since 2001 for Iraq and Afghanistan, total casualties have been around 38,000.

While some had doubts that anyone would voluntarily sign up for a high-risk job, Buonafina does not understand why. Police officers and fire fighters risk life and limb every day and have no problem finding those who are willing. Some people are built for risk.

So, while the re-tooling of the military has been a success, this also could be a problem, thinks Buonafina. Everything is going so well that it is being taken for granted.

“Unless you have someone serving, you don’t really understand the stress and strain. Only about one percent of the US population works in the military,” he observed.

Currently there are about 1.5 million enlisted personnel, 800,000 reservists, and 800,000 civil service employees working with Department of Defense. Even including defense contractors who do construction on military bases or provide auxiliary services, the number does not increase significantly. In comparison, almost 10 million Americans work in the restaurant business.

Challenges to Face We have become so comfortable with this voluntary, high-tech military, that we do not pay attention to the challenges. A reservist, Buonafina has a regular life – a job, a spouse and children, community. At age 37, he and his wife Ana have a 16-month son, Landon. His eldest son Isaiah, from a previous marriage, is a Mustang, on the football team at CHS, where Buonafina is a Mustang booster.

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Clifton, I was told I was off Reservists, he said, this list. That’s ridiculous.” sign up to for many rea“We’re one of the richest countries The spouse and/or chilsons. Some are emotional in the world.

Yet there are tens of dren of reservists who – desire to serve, comfort thousands of veterans who are homedeploy often move in with with risk, family tradition friends or family for the of being in the military, less, who suffer from PTSD, who don’t deployment period, said respect from peers and have access to good medical treatment.

Buonafina. He believes society. Some are practical It’s truly an embarrassment. veterans must be exempted – extra pay, better health from local residency rules. insurance for the family, Buying a flag pin for your lapel isn’t “They shouldn’t be puntraining, continuing eduhow you support a veteran.” ished,” he asserted. cation. Reservists are obliAnother solution would gated to train constantly be to increase differential pay for times and terms of throughout the year, learning the latest about military deployment. “If you’re being deployed for the third time security, strategy, practices, and discipline, and pretty in seven years, that’s more than three times as stressful much must drop everything when they receive orders to as the first deployment. If I’m that good or I’m needed deploy. that much, the pay should reflect that.”

Buonafina, who runs a plumbing business, has been Zero-interest bridge loans to keep a small business deployed twice since 2009, once to Afghanistan and going during a deployment period would also help. “I’m once to Iraq, He has received orders to go next year, but self-employed. I run a plumbing business. When I’m has not been told where. deployed, I still have to pay for my equipment, trucks, Each deployment puts a huge strain on his business rent.” More people would sign up to be reservists if they and personal life. “I wanted to enlist after 9/11, but I was believed the financial backing was more solid. a single father with a young son. Instead I joined the He also thinks the government needs to come up with reserves in my late twenties. The Army trained me, gave better incentives and programs for employers to hire and me experience, and I also began to see how hard it was keep vets. Many employers will never say it aloud, he to be taken away from your life for nine, 10 months thinks, because they would feel ashamed, but silently every few years. are reluctant to hire, keep, or promote reservists who Now I’m older, wiser, well-experienced, well-trained, may be pulled out with short notice. but thinking I will not continue when my contract is up.

Another challenge is more societal.

Which is a shame. The military should be thinking of “We’re one of the richest countries in the world. Yet how to keep people like me. They have a lot invested in there are tens of thousands of veterans who are homeme. You can’t send a 19-year old enlisted kid to manage less, who suffer from PTSD, who don’t have access to or negotiate with a defense contractor.” good medical treatment. It’s truly an embarrassment.

Buonafina has solid ideas of what can be done to help Buying a flag pin for your lapel isn’t how you support a the soldier. Jobs such as public school teachers, municiveteran,” he said. “Go demand that they receive better pal employees, police, and fire often require local resitreatment. We bail out the rich corporations for billions dency. He feels that there should be a federal law that of dollars supposedly to save our country. We could use suspends this requirement for veterans. some of that money to save our soldiers.

“I grew up and lived in Passaic; however, during one “I understand that a lot of these wars and conflicts are of my deployments my son went to live with my mother not about democracy, but about resources, and who conin Clifton,” he said. When I returned, I applied for a firefighter position in Passaic, where I got an apartment. I trols them. I get that it’s more about money, and less was on the shortlist to be hired. Then it turned out that about ideals,” he acknowledged. “But at some point, as my son had adapted to Clifton. It was better for him to a country, to keep our self-respect, we need to better stay there. When it was learned that I planned to live in appreciate our soldiers.”

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Enea Gjoka remembers little of that day.

On April 14, 2007, he was on his way to work, riding his new motorcycle. A few years ago, he had thought about going out for the Mustangs football team but wanted that motorcycle more, pumping gas on Broad St. to earn it. He’d quickly learned how to ride it, and life was good. That July 24, he’d be headed to boot camp at Parris Island to become a U.S. Marine, his most cherished dream.

That was until a car on Tristan Rd. made a left through the stop sign onto Valley Rd. and changed everything.

Gjoka slammed into the car and landed in front of it. The driver, newspapers reported, said her view “may have been obstructed by a moving truck parked on the shoulder.” What was certain was that Gjoka lay broken, his right leg a mess and his chance of becoming a Marine fading fast.

When he woke up in St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, his Marine recruiter, Staff Sergeant David Delgado, was at his bedside. The recruiters 40 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

loved Gjoka – he’d been pestering them to join since he was a high school freshman. He even wanted to drop out of Clifton High to join until the Marines talked him out of it. Gjoka remembers thinking of the Marines as soon as he woke up.

He asked Delgado if he could he still join. “I don’t know, man,” he remembered Delgado saying.

“You’ve got rods in your leg.”

In that instant, Gjoka’s dream of fighting for his country, one he’d nurtured since coming to the United States from Albania, was in serious jeopardy. The path to again function normally would be grueling.

Gjoka would spend the next 18 months learning to walk and run.

Depression and uncertainty hung on him like a cloak. Become a Marine? He needed strength in his legs. And those rods… would they consider him with those rods in his leg? Another Marine recruiter told him that was unlikely. His depression worsened.

Until he met up with Delgado again.

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From Albania to Clifton When Enea Gjoka arrived at New York’s JFK airport as a third grader, it was like visiting an alien world, especially when he saw people descending down an escalator. “What was that? That’s pretty dope.” he recalled thinking. The flight felt like it had taken days.

The Gjoka family – Enea, younger sister Viola, and parents Romeo and Elsa – was now home, heading to live in Clifton.

His parents told him their new country was the pinnacle, the place everyone wanted to live. “And it was true,” Gjoka said. “Whenever I’m away, I cannot wait to get back. This country is home and far better than anyplace else.”

Like most immigrants arriving in America, the Gjokas struggled. The family moved in with Uncles Rocky and Walter, who had apartments near Shook Funeral Home on Van Houten Ave. Romeo, a

truck driver by trade, worked construction jobs, while Elsa got factory employment. Enea remembered his father studying his Albanian to English dictionary at night, trying to learn the language so he could drive again.

“It was hard for him,” Gjoka said. “He had to get his CDL (commercial driver’s license), learn had to read a map, didn’t know where he was going at first. He delivered furniture, then he finally got a job for Crystal Motors. My mom later went to school, and now works in the medical field at St. Joseph’s Hospital.” The family would ultimately move into their own apartment and later buy a home in Clifton.

Enea headed to School 13 in Clifton without knowing English, a language he would pick up quickly, aided by TV, especially Bugs Bunny cartoons. He also remembered being annoyed that

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his class was studying multiplication tables, something he had already learned in Albania.

After school, Enea was never in his house, always riding bikes or playing basketball or soccer.

“The kids were all right,” Gjoka says, “but some messed with me, telling me to say this to another kid because I didn’t know what the words meant. I got picked on a little. But then I went to Quality Martial Arts on Van Houten Ave. when I got to middle school. It bought out my confidence, something that gets suppressed when you’re younger. Learning how to fight was good for me. Martial arts still helps me today.”

While martial arts would impact his life, 9/11 change it.

Back in CHS, these Jr. ROTC kids would eventually join various service. From left, they are: Malvin Frias (Army; Combat Engineer), Enea Gjoka (Marines; Infantry), Scott Crawford (Marines; Infantry), and Mark Scarpa (Army; Military Police)

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Path to the Marines In 2001, Gjoka was 13, a student at Woodrow Wilson Middle School. He described himself as “not a great student,” but one with a love of history, fueled by books, the History Channel, and his teacher Mr. Myers, who made the subject come alive for him. Later at CHS, Mr. Henry and Mr. Lester would do the same.

Originally, Gjoka wanted to join the U.S. Army.

“But then I heard about this thing called the Marine Corps. It was a little bit more badass. Not to take anything away from the Army, but Marines have a cocky attitude. I still joke around with my Army buddies about it.”

At the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Gjoka was in the hallway after finishing music class.

Another student told him “they had just taken down the towers.”

“I didn’t know what ‘the towers’ were,” Gjoka said.

“Then he said they also took down the Pentagon. I knew what the Pentagon was. At first, I thought, ‘Why would they do that?’ The way he made it sound was like they didn’t need these buildings anymore.

“Then I found out what really happened.”

The news was a gut punch to Gjoka. Outside, he could see the smoke from Clifton, rising from the buildings.

“I wanted to go down to the towers and help, but my parents said no,” he remembered. “I was angry, pissed – 44 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

so mad. To this day, can’t watch (news videos) because it hurts. Americans should not be jumping out of (expletive) buildings because they got hit by a plane. It was a failure of every agency – CIA, FBI, military – everybody, across the board. It angers me now to talk about it.

“After 9/11, there was no way I was not going to get into the fight; that was not an option. I would buy a gun and fly there by myself if I had to. I wanted to be a part of this, wanted to be part of history.”

At CHS, Gjoka joined the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps as a freshman (he would graduate as a cadet sergeant major, the highest enlisted rank) and began haunting the recruiting station on Colfax Ave. “I was so impatient,” he said. “I wanted to get into the war before it was over, as selfish as it sounds – and it was selfish because you want it to be over quick.”

In the JROTC program, he met his best friend Malvin Frias – though the two didn’t like each other at first.

“Finally,” Frias said, “I asked him if he wanted to go on a bike ride, and we ended up behind the Pathmark on Paulison Ave., getting chased by wild dogs. From then on, we saw each other every day. We were both immigrants, and our parents were working hard for everything, so we had a lot in common.”

Including a love of country, as Frias would later serve in the U.S. Army. Their friendship would also be tested during Gjoka’s motorcycle accident when Frias visited every day for a month.

“That’s not something you forget,” Gjoka said. “He was there for me.”

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Eagle, Globe & Anchor at Last After his accident and recovery, Gjoka met up with Delgado in 2009. Remembering the young man’s passion about the Marine Corps, Delgado asked, “Why aren’t you in?”

When Gjoka told him what another recruiter said about not being medically able to join, Delgado promised to help. Gjoka reported to the United States Military Entrance Processing Command in Brooklyn for evaluation. “I told the doctor,” he said, “I never wanted anything in my life more than I wanted to do this. Please give me a chance.”

The doctor agreed to do just that, and Gjoka was soon on his way to Parris Island, S.C., for Marine basic training. He believes he slept only about four-to-five hours during the next three days, fueled by adrenaline.

“My drill instructor looked like Xerxes from (the movie) 300 – bald head, loud, yelling, ‘Agggghhh!’” he remembered. “They put the fear of God in you! My goal in boot camp was not be noticed and glide through, but I did well. I graduated as squad leader.”

Gjoka also graduated as squad leader from the school of infantry that followed boot camp. Through all the training, he would not give in to the pain in his leg from the accident. “My knee would hurt, but no way would I’d say anything. If it breaks, then I say something. ’Til then, good to go.”

Gjoka embraced the structure and understood the reasoning behind the discipline. Cleaning floors immediately and to the best of your ability meant your weapons would be cleaned and gear intact. The hardships also made him closer to his fellow Marines.

“When I got my got my EGA (Eagle, Globe & Anchor), I cried. I was a Marine,” he said.

Afghanistan Bound Gjoka was assigned to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. After flying through Berlin, Kazakhstan, and Kabul, Afghanistan, he arrived at Camp Dwyer, located within the Helmand River Valley in Garmsir District of Afghanistan in January 2010.

Arriving at his company outpost, the Taliban welcomed Gjoka and his fellow Marines with small arms fire. But his first test would come a few weeks later during a firefight. “I heard a pop-pop-pop and leaves started falling all over us,” Gjoka said. “They had fired just above us and hit the trees. I’m thinking, ‘Is this really 46 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

happening?’ My squad leader said, ‘Gjoka, get down!’ I racked my gun back and we lit it up.”

Firefights like his first one were frequent, and his mindset during combat was constant. “Your adrenaline is through the roof,” he said. “Everything you do has an immediate impact, whether you will live or die. You worry about your friends, but are focused on what you should be doing.

“In combat, you don’t think too much. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true – your training kicks in. It’s euphoric.

The Marine Corps is awesome at fighting wars.”

However, Gjoka’s thoughts leading up to battle varied. There was always the threat of IEDs, and he witnessed two Marines injured right in front of him when the blasting caps went off without exploding the device.

Others were not as fortunate.

“In a firefight,” he said, “you have a chance, at least you know. IEDs are silent – you don’t know.”

While Gjoka was known as a motivator in his unit, he admits his internal thoughts varied throughout his two tours. “Sometimes you’re scared. In my second deployment, I kept imagining and waiting for the mine roller to get blown up and roll back over me. Other times you feel invincible, (saying to the enemy) ‘Make it rain – you can’t touch me!’

He felt close to death many times, including once on a rooftop when he saw rounds landing around him. “I figured this might be my time,” he said. “I got right behind my gun and let it rip, up and down the tree line. I used half my ammo. I made it rain. Then reinforcements came up and I was all right.”

Gjoka felt compassion for the Afghan people, seeing them as “between a rock and a hard place,” he said.

“They just want to provide for their family. Sometimes we’d go in to search their house – we could go in anywhere – and they’d give us tea. Another time, we saw one older Afghan guy pretty beat up because the Taliban wanted to put IEDs on his property and he refused. ‘I like Marines,’ he told them. “They beat him for that.”

The Clifton Marine also had a soft spot for children.

“I always made it a point,” Gjoka said, “to bring something for kids when I was on patrol – toys, snacks, Clif Bars. When I was a kid in Albania, the Italian army would come by, and I was the guy getting stuff. I remembered that. I tried to give to the little girls because their life is difficult. I’d think, ‘I can’t change anything for you, but this will help you right now.’”

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Aftermath Though he wanted to return to Afghanistan for a third tour, back problems prevented him from going back. He describes being out of the Marine Corp as “the worst period of my life.” He sat home for a summer, unable to walk three feet without crutches. While he said the Veteran’s Administration gave him good treatment, it was extremely slow in coming, and Gjoka had to plead repeatedly for surgery to repair a herniated disc.

He also had to cope with the emotions of being home.

“Over there,” he said, “I felt living at a ‘10.’ Back home, I was a ‘4.’ How can I be normal here when I was doing such cool stuff there? Everything here is mundane – nothing has the meaning it did when I was over there. I felt more alive and at home over there, as weird as that sounds.”

Again, it was his best friend and fellow Marines who came to his aid. “Malvin (who is pursuing an MBA at Keller Graduate School of Management) convinced me to go to college,” Gjoka said. “He annoyed me into taking the placement test and I went to Berkeley College, and ended up with a 3.9 GPA. Another Clifton High

48 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

graduate and Marine, A.J. (Aaron) Ginsburg, encouraged me to go to NYU like he was. I’m an International Relations major there now, hoping to work supporting an ambassador some day.”

Another Marine helped Gjoka get a job as a parttime stage hand where he works often at Radio City Music Hall, a job he loves. But the best therapy for his return has been his service dog, Rrodi.

“Rrodi’s been a lifesaver through everything,” Gjoka said, “just a good dog. I would have been a lot worse off. When I yell or get excited, he’ll jump on top of me to calm me down. He has been the best medication for me, better than taking pills which I hate. He keeps me happy, and I’m his daddy.”

Gjoka is also feeling more comfortable in his hometown. With a new apartment, trips planned to go rock climbing in Colorado, and a busy schedule, he’s trying to adjust. Still, the Marine Corps remain part of his soul.

“The Marine Corps profoundly changed me as a person, and I’m grateful for that. I would go back in a heartbeat. I’ll give you all the money I have to go back for just a week. “That’s who I am, and that’s who I want to be… but I can’t be that anymore,” he lamented.

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She designed a quality kitchen that utilized every inch of our space. Daisy is very pleasant and easy to work with. We highly recommend her.”

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“I visited her showroom with a basic idea and Daisy designed a kitchen that was so much more functional and attractive than I ever imagined,” said Abdellatif of Broad St. “She came to our house, measured the area and suggested practical things like that we use a lazy Susan and reconfigured the entire space. Then she showed us everything on the computer in 3-D so we could select countertops, the colors and handles as well as the accents–every part of the entire package.”

Jane and Jerry Declet of Surrey Lane in Allwood had their kitchen done about two years ago and had equally kind words to say about their finished product and working with Daisy.

50 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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“We had a small kitchen but needed a renovation,” offered Jane Declet. “We visited her showroom based on the ads that promised a certain sized kitchen for a certain price. Daisy delivered that and we couldn’t be more pleased with our kitchen.”

Both Abdellatif and the Declets said they shopped other kitchen cabinets stores for estimates but Daisy Kitchens came in at the right price with a high quality finished project.

“I give high props for Daisy and her team. She is 100% professional and by all means she knows here stuff,” said Doug Abdellatif.

“I sound like a broken record but I cannot say enough about her service and the professionals she works with. If you are looking to install a new kitchen, take a few minutes to meet with her. It will cost you nothing to sit down. And ask her to show you my kitchen’s before and after photos. She did a great job.”

The Declets added that Daisy is professional, friendly and easy to work with. Additionally, said Jerry Declet, a retired Clifton Police Officer, he felt that she is extremely honest and creative.

“We offer low-cost do-it-yourself kitchen packages that will transform your kitchen into the dream kitchen that you’ve always wanted,” said Daisy. “We have established our reputation on the quality of our workmanship, business practices and our dedication to our clients’ satisfaction.”

Since we opened, she continued, “we have respected the opinions and tastes of our clients and we welcome their input while offering our guidance to insure a cost effective and successful project. We carefully guide you through the design and remodeling process offering our suggestions for the best design and choice of materials.”

They provide clients with functional and innovative design.

“About 80% of our jobs are handled by Daisy Kitchen Cabinets completely. That is design, construction, and project management. Approximately 20% of our projects involve design and sales of kitchen cabinets or major appliances only, to be delivered for installation.”

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On Dec 7, 1941, the USS West Virgina burns in Pearl Harbor after the Japanese bombing of the US Navy Base. Below, the Daily News from the same day.

By Adeline DeVries Siblings Joe DeLiberto and Adeline.

I was on Summer Str. in Dutch Hill when I heard of the surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor and the beginning of World War II. That Sunday afternoon, my Uncle Frank and his friend came to the house. Their faces were grave. When we heard the shocking news, I began to cry.

Being a young child, my mother couldn’t comprehend why I was so upset. I told her, “The Japanese will go to the North Pole, kill Santa Claus, and there won’t be any Christmas.”

After that day, World War II would impact our lives in real ways. We experienced air raid drills and blackouts. My dad was ineligible for military service so instead became an air raid warden. When sirens would sound and announce an air raid drill, we would extinguish all lights and Daddy would put on his white helmet, grab his nightstick, and run out the door. He’d bang on any door in his assigned area that had a light burning and tell the occupants to put it out.

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Look Back at Pearl Harbor We waited through the air raid drill in the walk-in closet beneath the stairs.

This space had no windows and an electric light so we could continue to do our homework in spite of the blackout. After the “all-clear” siren sounded, we’d come out and Daddy would soon be home.

I still have his nightstick.

The radio broadcasted news of faraway places: Bataan, Warsaw, and the blitz of London. We collected newspapers and brought them to school (no school buses for us), walking 10 blocks From left in a circa 1941 photo: Vincenza DeLiberto, Adeline DeVries, carrying the papers. We also saved scrap Emmanuelle Sperlazzi, Frank Sperlazzi, Sal Sperlazzi, Adeline Sperlazzi, metal and aluminum foil, all for the war Joe DeLiberto, Ruth Sperlazzi, and Sarah Lombardo. effort. pen. We played “war” with pistols made of clothespins Rationing became a way of life; gasoline was limitand rifles made of broom handles, and shot at imagied and so was meat, sugar, and butter. Our parents nary Germans and Japanese soldiers. Hitler, Tojo, and urged us to clean our plates and not to waste food Hirohito became the bad guys. Of course, we always because “the children are starving in Europe.” won.

War bonds and war stamps claimed our meager savRed, white, and blue banners with stars appeared in ings and allowances. Everything was for “our boys” windows. A blue star indicated a loved one was in servwho were fighting for us. ice; a gold star meant killed in action.

My mom did her part too. She got a job at Western My grandmother hung her banner with two blue Electric on Market Street in Passaic, a defense plant. stars, as two of my uncles became servicemen: Frank During the summer months, I’d walk mom to the bus Sperlazzi was in the Coast Guard, while Sal Sperlazzi stop, wave good-bye, and off she would go to work. served in the Navy.

Her shift was from 3 pm to 11 pm. I missed her terribly.

In fact, Uncle Sal saw action in the Pacific aboard But always, there was a hot meal on the stove for our the USS Neosho and USS Tallulah and braved supper. kamikaze pilot attacks. Thankfully, both uncles came My family moved to Barkley Ave. in Clifton during home safely. the war years. It was the time when children went out Without television, we flocked to the movies. in the morning, came in for lunch, and then went out Between feature films, we watched the war again until suppertime. Today, that would never hap-

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Look Back at Pearl Harbor through Movietone News and The March of Time.

Hollywood supported the war effort with its films, featuring heroic, fighting Americans. My brother Joe and I sat through Wake Island twice and emerged with renewed patriotism.

On D-Day, I was deathly ill with the measles.

Suddenly, my mother was happily cheering the news of the Allied invasion of France… the end was drawing near. My brother and I made a dummy of Tojo and hung it from our porch, our way to demonstrate the nearing end of the evil.

Home alone on April 12, 1945, the radio proclaimed President Roosevelt’s death. I cried again, but with more understanding this time.

However, V-J Day, August 14 of that year, was wonderful, and the spirit of victory and happiness made us ecstatic – a feeling I remember well from more than seven decades ago.

Veterans Parade Nov. 6 Clifton Veteran Parade is at 2 pm, Nov. 6 on Van Houten Ave. and will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Japan’s Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and six other military bases on the Hawaiian island of Oahu precipitated America’s entry into World War II. Pearl Harbor endures as a symbol of American resilience and resolve, and the commemoration of the attack fosters reflection, remembrance, and understanding. “To me it is such an important date in our country’s history that is vital to mark the occasion and honor those not only killed there but also all of the WWII vets,” said parade chair Keith Oakley. To participate or donate, call Oakley at 201-774-6666.

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On Nov. 9, Richard Fischer will grab his guitar, his gear, and some clothes, and pile into the back of a van with four other members of Midnight Eternal for a cross country road trip to Seattle, Wash.

There, the group will begin of a 22-stop tour with heavy metal legends Queensryche, starting on Nov. 15 and snaking across the country to the East Coast before heading back out West, all in just a little more than one month.

Since the Clifton native first picked up an electric guitar at the age of 12, this has always been the dream, to go on the road and make it in rock and roll. Now 31, he’s in a band with a record label, a successful debut album, and an upcoming tour.

There’s one catch: Midnight Eternal will not be paid for its performances on the tour. The band will generate revenue through sales of its debut album, along with T-shirts and other merchandise, while on the road.

Album sales are also available through the band’s, website (www.midnighteternal.com/shop).

“I started playing guitar around 12, which is when I started taking lessons at home,” recalled Fischer. “It really started in high school, around the end of my 58 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

sophomore year. I just really fell in love with music and playing. I was 15 and going to Clifton High School when I formed my first band, Infamous Plague.”

In addition to Fischer on lead guitar and vocals, Infamous Plague also included fellow CHS 2003 alumni Chris Wiersma (rhythm guitar), James O’Connor (bass), and Steve Kolakowski (drums).

What started out as a metal cover band fronted by Fischer as a James Hetfield look-alike ended up being a successful band in its own right. Infamous Plague ended up doing gigs across New Jersey, played with veterans of the local scene like The Flying Mueller Brothers, and even rocked out on stage at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park in the final round of the Battle of the Bands competition in 2003 and 2004.

“For two years in a row, Infamous Plague participated in this Battle of the Bands, which was big at the time,” recalled Fischer. “It started in January, and every month there would be different rounds. By the time August came around, the finals were at Stone Pony. You had to make first or second each round. The local rounds were always at the Montclair Cafe. We ended up making it to the finals in 2003 and 2004.”

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-- The West Coast Tour -Delving into diverse musical styles “I knew I had to take it as far as I could, and study as much as I could. I decided that I wanted to pursue a music career, and went that route in college,” recalled Fischer. He studied music management at William Paterson University, and made it a goal to learn everything he could about guitar.

“I not only took classical guitar lessons, I took classical guitar ensemble, university choir, and business courses,” he explained. At Richie in 2008 with his dad Martin and his late mom Holly.

WPU, Fischer studied under Seth Himmelhoch. “Metal is what really got me lege, but I was always able to carry a tune, and I have a started into guitar. [But] my high school guitar teacher, good ear for singing on pitch. Besides doing backup Rick Ketay, would come to my house and play all kinds vocals for Midnight Eternal, I also sing some lead of different styles. He introduced me to classical guitar, songs for Swingman, and also do some background and I really enjoyed the sounds, so I pursued that as harmonies.” well. I felt it would be an interesting way to diversify Fischer and the rest of the Mutts play local gigs in my style; at the time, I wasn’t much into jazz. But I the area, and recently completed their second annual wanted to try different things to become a more wellshow at the Athenia Vets Post on Huron Ave. They also rounded musician and guitar player. play at the Grande Saloon on Van Houten Ave. every Fischer continued playing with Infamous Plague third Friday of the month. through college. But eventually the practice sessions and shows became more sporadic.

Chance jam sessions lead to band’s birth “We were still together during college until 2007 or Around the time that Fischer started playing regular2008,” recalled Fischer. “We never really broke up, but ly with Swingman in 2011, he started jamming with band members were leaving, or coming to the point Boris Zaks, a keyboard player who would go on to where they wanted to pursue other projects. Around found Midnight Eternal with Fischer. that time, I started teaching guitar and picking up gigs “We just hit it off right away, and there was definite here and there. Then in 2010, I joined Swingman and chemistry between the two of us. His band at the time, the Misfit Mutts, a band that Councilman Ray Ash and Vail, was having problems with their guitarist, Grabowski started.” At the time, Fischer was teaching so I got the gig, and then started playing with them regat a local music school, and met the councilman, who ularly. We started putting together an EP in 2012, and was taking lessons for baritone sax. then filmed a video,” he recalled. Fischer and Zaks “He was looking for a guitarist, and wanted a young ended up parting ways with the band, and joining a new guy to play. But he told me it would be a jazz group, so group, Operatika Element, in 2012. “Things were lookI suggested another guy there who was a jazz guitarist,” ing good, playing shows and writing a demo, but by the said Fischer. “But he couldn’t make it. And then time 2014 hit, things stagnated,” he said. “Then in Councilman Grabowski explained that it was more than March 2014, Boris asked me if I wanted to start a just jazz; there would be blues, swing, and old rock and recording project, and that two-song demo project was roll. So I gave it a shot. the start of Midnight Eternal.”

“I ended up really liking it. We play a lot of cover The five-person group began work on a demo album material, but it got me into different genres, and they’re while sharing the stage with genre heavy hitters like real fun to play with. There are a lot of real great musiKamelot, Dragonforce, and other groups. cians in that group,” he continued. “I did vocals in “One of the big bands we get compared to is Infamous Plague, and I never had any kind of singing Nightwish, a group out of Finland,” said Fischer. training at the time. Choir was a required class in colMidnight Eternal is considered a symphonic 60 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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-- The West Coast Tour -power metal band, which is a genre that combines elements of metal and opera, often behind a female singer with a dynamic voice. “I love hearing a metal group with a good female singer.”

The well-received demos and work on the road attracted record companies. In June of 2015, Midnight Eternal signed with Inner Wound Recordings, and began work on a full-length album. The self-titled debut album was released on April 29, 2016, and received good reviews. The album can be found on Amazon, Spotify, or other streaming music services.

“With Ash and Veil, we recorded in the studio, but this was the first time I was With his mates in Midnight Eternal: Dan Prestup, Greg Manning, signed to a record label,” explained Fischer.

Raine Hilai, Boris Zaks, Richard Fischer.

“We recorded the bass and guitar for the parts of the country I have never been to, so it’s just album at my house. The way things are, you don’t get a awesome.” lot of money right away, and over the last four to five The tour begins in Seattle —Queensryche’s homeyears, I have gotten pretty good at recording because of coming show — on Nov. 15. The tour’s 22 shows will that. “ take the two bands from Seattle to New York, then back “It was a really cool thing. We sent out our demo to out West to Nevada by December 16. Fischer is particquite a few labels, some big and some small, but a lot ularly looking forward to Midnight Eternal’s homeyou just never hear back from,” he continues. “But the coming show on Dec. 6 at Irving Plaza in New York, a guy who runs this label is really nice. It’s a small label, 1,025-person ballroom-style music venue. so we get a lot of attention, and have a really good relationship with them. It’s been a good experience.”

A one-month leave of absence To make sure he can be a part of the national tour, Getting ready for the road Fischer set up Swingman and the Misfit Mutts with a After the release of the self-titled debut album in replacement guitarist, and he is taking a temporary April, Fischer and Midnight Eternal immediately set leave from his full-time job as a music instructor. their sights on promoting the album on the road.

“I’m lucky that I am able to take leave to on the tour.

“We were trying to take it a step further, and after I’ve been teaching at Omnismart Tutoring since 2014. our record, we told management to look out for any We focus on disabled kids and young adults. Some of touring possibilities,” recalled Fischer. Eventually, these people have autism or other disorders, and the management landed Midnight Eternal on a tour with creative outlet helps them with that,” explained Fischer.

Queensryche, an iconic metal band that had several hits “For one student I have, it is basically music therapy. during the 80s and 90s.

Parents want their kids to have this outlet.”

“They’re one of my favorite bands,” explained “After I got out of school, I thought I would get a job Fischer. “We had to do this, and luckily, everyone in music management. I had interned for Roadrunner agreed. Not many bands can say their first tour was Records for no money,” he continued. “I never thought with such a high-profile band. This is the goal I have about teaching since I figured I would not have the been working toward since I started playing guitar and patience for it, or that i wasn’t that good. But students joined a band. It’s something I am really looking forlike me and so do parents. It’s not something I thought ward to — a dream come true. I just love playing I would fall into.” music, and now I will get to see different states and 62 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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Great weather greeted parade goers on Van Houten Ave. in the Oct. 30 Halloween Parade as it made its way through Athenia and into the City Hall complex.

There, the annual HarvestFest continued with games, rides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing, a petting zoo and hayride trips—even an Apple Pie contest— before the clouds blew in the rain. Photos from the day are shown here and on the following seven pages. The annual oustanding family many event is among the run

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October’s cover story and many photos brought out hundreds to the International Cultural and Food Festival at CHS on Oct. 15. People from churches and mosques, community centers and cultural groups participated. They showcased their origins through music, dance, arts, crafts, performances and, yes, plenty of delicious food. The photos on these pages show some of the Many Faces that indeed made Clifton One Family on that day.

Kudos to the volunteers, pictured on the facing page top, who pulled it all together. The event, which we hope will return next year, perhaps as part of another event—such as one of the Downtown Clifton Street Fairs—is part of the 100th anniversary celebration of our city, which will culminate in 2017. For more events and info, go to cliftonnj.org.

72 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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Around Town The United Reformed Church at the corner of First and Clifton Aves. is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2017 with a goal of raising $1,125. The funds are for the Reformed Church World Service, which helps those impacted by hunger, poverty, or natural disasters. Above from left: Helen Berkenbush, Evelyn Williams, Jane Declet, Nancy Tanis, Marilyn Short. To help out or for info, write to urc352@verizon.net or call 973-365-1666.

The Kids Helping Kids Club at St. Brendan Catholic School packed Halloween bags for children at St. Joseph and Clara Maas Hospitals.

They also collected supplies and welcome home letters for returning soldiers and their families in Blums Landing in Michigan where military families reunite before returning home. Eighth grade teacher Maryanne Gorman developed the program as a volunteer after school club for students in grades 4 to 8 to help them understand the need in our communities and give them an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

Pictured from left: Jane Van Wie, Larry Mantilla, Emily Ponce, Brooke Taylor, and Isabella Gomez in the front.

Those old Mustangs who have moved south to the Toms River area still stay connected, reports George Kulik, by meeting every few weeks. Recently about 40 Mustangs planned a 90th surprise birthday party for George DiFalco, who is pictured here with his wife Belle, also a former CHS teacher. Not sure when the next event is, but chances are it is coming up—organizer George Kulik is turning 74 on Nov. 8 and he and his wife Holly will be celebrating their fifth anniversary on Nov. 12.

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Corrado’s 18th Amateur Wine Making Competition is at 6 pm on Jan. 21 at The Venetian in Garfield. Jimmy Corrado, pictured, has made this such a festive and wonderful evening of food, wine and friendship. Tickets are $115 or tables of 12 are $105 each. Call 973-340-0628.

The Barrow House at 1296 Van Houten Ave. opened on Oct. 26 at 1296 Van Houten Ave., on the site of the old Charlie Browns and previously Yakety Yak Cafe. Owners Dean and Thomas Maroulakos, with partner Patrick LePore, restored the structure into “a series of rooms, each of which tells its own unique story inspired by early life in Clifton and the surrounding area.” The results (the bar is below) are stunning, the menu is elegantly simple and the selection of beers, spirits and wine is delightful.

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To mark the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, a spontaneous revolt against the government of the former Hungarian People’s Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies, the Hungarian flag was raised on Oct. 23 at City Hall. Photo by László Kerkay.

Clifton Cares helps to make Christmas special for our troops in Afghanistan. Through Nov. 28, volunteers are collecting items such as homemade cookies (vacuum sealed) as well as any cookies, candy, chocolate, gum, beef jerky, canned chips, CDs, and DVDs. Visine, deodorant, foot powder, travel sizes of shampoo, mouthwash and toothpaste, and white socks are also in need. Scouts and school children are encouraged to write personal greeting cards which can also be packed and shipped.

The site for collection is the lobby of City Hall.

Mailing a package costs $16.85, so consider making a postage donation made to cash or Lizz Gagnon. Mail it to her at Clifton City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013. Email gags2120@aol.com or call Lizz Gagnon on her cell at 973-818-8141 with questions.

A Salute to Veterans Concert is at the Boys & Girls Club Bingo Hall on Nov. 28 at 6:30 pm featuring The Silver Starlite Orchestra and their Salute to America program. It begins with a veteran’s processional bringing in the colors with food, beverages, desserts and dancing in a USO canteen-type setting. Bring non-perishable food items to be donated to St. Peter’s Haven as admission. Call Clifton Rec 973-470-5956.

The 19th Clifton 5K Stampede & Health Walk is Nov. 20 at 9 am. Pre-registration fee is $20 for adults and $15 for youth before Nov. 11. This event is a fundraiser for the Clifton Rec’s youth programs and to purchase uniforms for Clifton’s 2017 Special Olympic athletes and coaches. Call 973-470-5956.

76 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Scout Troop 21’s Spaghetti Dinner is on Nov. 13 from noon to 5 pm in the St. Philip Preparatory School Auditorium on Valley Rd. Scouts and their parents prepare and serve salad, homemade sauce, spaghetti, garlic bread, dessert and refreshments. Tickets for this fundraiser are adults $10, seniors $8, kids 4-11 $5, and those under 4 are free. Purchase at the door or write to troop21cliftonnj@gmail.com.

St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 81 Washington Ave., hosts a Petrykivka Workshop on Dec. 8 at 6:30 pm at the church hall. This folk art form originated in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine in the 17th century, and has been officially recognized by UNESCO. The class will be led by artist Nataliya Lyubytcka, and will focus on traditional flower patterns and designs, on paper. Those 14 years of age or older should pre-register on the church answering machine 973-546-2473 by Dec. 1. The fee is $20 and includes materials.

The CHS Class of 1967 50th reunion is April 22 from 7 to 11 pm at the Bethwood. The cost is $100, which will include a four-hour buffet and open bar as well as a DJ. Most important, there will be four hours of catching up with old Mustangs, some of whom are pictured here in a recent planning meeting. Checks payable to Patricia M. Gibson must be received by Jan. 31, 2017. Contact Gibson (aka Patricia Stagnitto back in ’67) at pattymarie25@gmail.com.

The CHS Class of 1986 is holding a 30th reunion at the Bethwood on Nov. 26. The cost is $75; write chsmustangs86@optonline.net.

The CHS Class of 1996 20th reunion is Nov. 26 at 7 pm at the Barnyard and Carriage House in Totowa. Tickets are $60 and include dinner, beer, wine, door prizes and a DJ. Make checks to the CHS class of 1996 and mail to P.O. Box 4109, Clifton, NJ 07012.

Palestinian American Community Center Presents

El-Funoun Dance Troupe Nov. 11, 7 pm Felician University Auditorium 262 S. Main St. Lodi

Tickets from $25 to $100 Purchase tickets at PACC 388 Lakeview Ave. Clifton 973-253-6145 www.paccusa.org

PACC wishes you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2016

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John Samra was a Clifton motorcycle officer who was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 21, 2003. To keep his memory eternal, Clifton PBA 36 established a scholarship fund in his name and proceeds from the Oct. 9 run help fund it. Photos from the race, which began and ended at City Hall and wound its way into Downtown Clifton, are shown here on these two pages. Overall winner was Melavides Luizhga with a time of 17:35. Top female Cathy Martino came in at 21:19.

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Mustangs @ PCCC

When their classmates are attending their first class of the day on Colfax Ave., some 19 Mustangs from the CHS Class of 2017 are on their way to knocking out some college freshman classes. They are part of the Passaic County Community College (PCCC) Dual Enrollment Program, enabling students to take a variety of first-year college classes on the Paterson campus.

The program is bolstered by a $20,000 grant award to PCCC from The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCC). The grant is one of five awarded by NJCC through its Center for Student Success, in partnership with The Prudential Foundation to support highquality dual enrollment programs throughout the state of New Jersey.

“The big win for the District is that it costs them nothing,” said John Lopez, Coordinator of Dual Enrollment at PCCC and a former adminstrator in Clifton. The program enables the students to complete their senior year of high school at the college itself, earning credits toward both their high school diploma and college degree.

Available classes offered by the program include Drawing 1&2, Intro to Business, Website Design and Tools, Intro to Criminal Justice, Criminology, Composition 1 & 2, EMT studies, Music Theory 1&2, 80 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

Functional Class Piano 1&2, and Spanish 1&2. Students will finish the year with 29 college credits.

Participating students will be encouraged to stay and finish their AA degree with PCCC, though the college acknowledges that some students are applying to transfer after this year. “Transitioning to the demands of college, while still enrolled in high school, provides students with support from both institutions, ensuring their success this year and beyond,” said Lopez.

Dual enrollment is also cost-effective, allowing students and their families a significant savings on the total tuition cost of a four-year college education.

The 19 Mustangs in the program are: Ghaith Abdallah, Halemah Allan, Laura Berisha, Brittany Calderon, Izabella Domian, Samantha Feliz, Andrea Furia, Addely Gonzalez, Mitul Jariwala, Cristina Lezcano, Emily O’Neill, Nazim Ozden, Pooja Patel, Andrea Paz, Henna Rana, Heta Rana, Dilan Samo, Marek Skubisz, and Xhovana Veli.

Clifton Magazine talked to four of the 19 CHS students to get their take on the opportunities and challenges the PCCC initiative presents.

Andrea Furia Andrea Furia traces her presence in the dual enrollment program all the way back to her stint in Woodrow Wilson Middle School, and credits her “amazing teachers who made me strive to be the best and put effort into your work. I was always told that hard work pays off and this couldn’t be a better example.”

By keeping focused on academics during her years at CHS, “I was given this amazing opportunity to be a freshmen in college while still managing to be a senior in high school,” she said.

“So far, with it already being two months into school, I enjoy it very much,” Furia said. “I know for a fact that this will be getting be farther than a year of school I didn’t necessarily need. I love the hope it has given me to see a brighter future for myself and the amazing outlook on living the college life. I do plan to move onto a university, but just knowing that 30 college credits will be transferring with me is outstanding.

“I can’t complain about taking classes that’ll benefit me rather than waste my time. But there is a downside,” she acknowledged.

“There is a chance that feeling left out of your senior class will become an issue. Maybe not on an every-

day basis, but when there is a senior activity during your ‘college life,’ it gets kind of difficult.

“The main challenge is to handle it and get by in this program knowing you’ve bettered your future and also never missed out on being a senior during your last year ever in high school,” Furia concluded.

Mitul Jariwala For Mitul Jariwala, personal academic excellence is anything but automatic. “High school can be challenging for many teenagers, but with hard work and dedication anything is achievable. I have managed to overcome my difficulties,” which lasted through tenures at School 8 and Christopher Columbus Middle School.

And the proof of such triumph is in the results.

“It is an honor to be one of the first students to participate in the Dual Enrollment (DE) program, which Clifton High School has to offer,” Jariwala said.

“I was a part of the Bridge to College Success program in Passaic County Community College, during the summer of 2016, which allowed me to take College Success before most of my DE colleagues. The DE program has given me a head start to my college career. It has transformed me completely in multiple ways.

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Mustangs @ PCCC For instance, I have learned how to manage my college work, along with community service and extracurricular activities,” he said.

“In addition, this program emboldens me to achieve my goals without any trepidation. This program would be highly beneficial and will lead me to attain greater heights in my future. I’ve made one of the finest decisions in my life,” he said.

Pooja Patel Describing her on-campus PCCC experience as “wonderful,” Pooja Patel noted, “After joining this program, my time management skills have improved. I have started setting up my priorities, goals, and timelines in an effective manner.”

On-campus exposure will make next year in college “easier for me compared to the other high school students.”

At the same time, she said, “I can also participate in all the high school and especially all the senior year activities along with this program. I play Junior Varsity Tennis at CHS and also serving as a Vice President of Clifton High School Key Club.”

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All told, “There are many advantages of taking advance level classes during the high school year, such as increasing mental stimulation and college efficiency and getting familiar with new academic environment in advance,” Patel said.

Halemah Allan Halemah Allan considers the dual enrollment program to be a “jump start” on her way to becoming a pediatrician, training for which “takes about eight years to complete.”

But Allen is practical and considers the more immediate level.

“I am also getting the full college experience at 17,” Allan said with a bit of wonderment. “The environment is very different from Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Clifton High School; the work is fast paced and it is teaching me how to manage my time and take school more seriously.”

“I am grateful for this wonderful experience that Clifton High School has provided for us,” Allan said.

For more information about Dual Enrollment at PCCC, visit www.pccc.edu or call 973-684-5212.

2016 @ Passaic on Thanksgiving Day

Passaic vs. Clifton 1923 1923 . . .Clifton 12 ......Passaic 7 1924 . . .Passaic 23 ......Clifton 0 1925 . . .Passaic 21 ......Clifton 6 1926 . . .Passaic 21 ......Clifton 6 1927 . . .Passaic 13 ......Clifton 0 1928 . . .Passaic 24 ......Clifton 0 1929 . . .Passaic 24 ......Clifton 0 1930 . . .Passaic 26 ......Clifton 0 1931 . . .Passaic 7 ........Clifton 0 1932 . . .Passaic 26 ......Clifton 7 1933 . . .Clifton 7 ........Passaic 6 1934 . . .Passaic 26 ......Clifton 0 1935 . . .Passaic 6 ........Clifton 0 1936 . . .Passaic 34 ....Clifton 14 1937 . . .Passaic 6 ........Clifton 0 1938 . . .Passaic 19 ......Clifton 6 1939 . . .Passaic 31 ......Clifton 6 1940 . . .Passaic 13 ......Clifton 6 1941 . . .Passaic 0 ........Clifton 0 1942 . . .Passaic 19 ......Clifton 0 1943 . . .Clifton 12 ......Passaic 6 1944 . . .Clifton 26 ......Passaic 6 1945 . . .Clifton 6 ........Passaic 0 1946 . . .Clifton 26 ....Passaic 14 1947 . . .Clifton 32 ......Passaic 0 1948 . . .Clifton 7 ........Passaic 7 1949 . . .Clifton 12 ......Passaic 0 1950 . . .Passaic 20 ......Clifton 7 1951 . . .Clifton 26 ......Passaic 6 1952 . . .Clifton 33 ....Passaic 12 1953 . . .Clifton 21 ....Passaic 20 1954 . . .Passaic 7 ........Clifton 6

2015

INDIANS MUSTANGS 36 Wins 46 Loses 5 Ties

46 Wins 36 Loses 5 Ties

1955 . . .Passaic 7 ........Clifton 0 1956 . . .Clifton 48 ......Passaic 0 1958 . . .Clifton 40 ......Passaic 7 1959 . . .Clifton 41 ....Passaic 21 1960 . . .Clifton 28 ......Passaic 6 1961 . . .Clifton 35 ......Passaic 7 1962 . . .Clifton 31 ......Passaic 6 1963 . . .Clifton 50 ......Passaic 0 1964 . . .Passaic 27 ......Clifton 0 1965 . . .Clifton 15 ....Passaic 13 1966 . . .Clifton 7 ........Passaic 0 1967 . . .Passaic 7 ........Clifton 7 1968 . . .Clifton 27 ....Passaic 10 1969 . . .Clifton 40 ......Passaic 0 1970 . . .Clifton 49 ......Passaic 0 1971 . . .Clifton 20 ....Passaic 12 1972 . . .Clifton 35 ......Passaic 6 1973 . . .Clifton 75 ....Passaic 12 1974 . . .Clifton 47 ......Passaic 6 1976 . . .Clifton 28 ......Passaic 6 1981 . . .Passaic 20 ......Clifton 3 1982 . . .Passaic 33 ......Clifton 0 1983 . . .Passaic 20 ......Clifton 7

1984 . .Clifton 16 ......Passaic 0 1985 . .Passaic 28 ......Clifton 7 1986 . .Passaic 21 ......Clifton 8 1987 . . .Clifton 24 ....Passaic 13 1988 . . .Clifton 22 ....Passaic 22 1989 . . .Passaic 22 ......Clifton 0 1990 . . .Passaic 14 ......Clifton 7 1991 . . .Passaic 33 ....Clifton 16 1992 . . .Passaic 13 ....Clifton 10 1993 . . .Passaic 0 ........Clifton 0 1994 . . .Passaic 12 ......Clifton 7 1995 . . .Passaic 21 ......Clifton 7 1996 . . .Clifton 23 ......Passaic 6 1997 . . .Passaic 22 ....Clifton 20 1998 . . .Passaic 25 ......Clifton 0 1999 . . .Passaic 20 ......Clifton 7 2000 . . .Clifton 21 ....Passaic 14 2001 . . .Clifton 20 ....Passaic 19 2002 . . .Clifton 19 ....Passaic 14 2003 . . .Clifton 17 ......Passaic 0 2004 . . .Clifton 48 ......Passaic 0 2005 . . .Clifton 7 ........Passaic 6 2006 . . .Clifton 14 ....Passaic 12 2007 . . .Clifton 18.....Passaic 13 2008 . . .Clifton 28 ......Passaic 0 2009 . . .Clifton 7.........Passaic 0 2010 . . .Clifton 42.......Passaic 0 2011 . . .Clifton 55.......Passaic 29 2012 . . .Clifton 0.........Passaic 29 2013 . . .Clifton 21.......Passaic 6 2014 . . .Clifton 20.......Passaic 14 2015. . .Passaic 12.......Clifton 35

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Back in 1993, the Club’s Keystone Karacters, from top left: Jennifer Paci, Lori Slater, Jaclyn Mateja, unknown, Daisy Torres, Danielle Ratjaczak, Wendy Mai, unknown, Michael Josselyn, Darrin Kirley, Darrell Guerreiri, Frank Pajuelo, Omar Tinajero. Below, Wendy Mai today, who will be among those inducted in B&G Hall of Fame on Nov. 18.

From Camp Clifton to Wall Street’s Canyons She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State University. She has an M.A. from Columbia University. She’s worked for Deutsche Bank, MetLife, and Standard Chartered Bank, and at present is Vice President, Humans Resources Business Partner, at Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., in downtown Manhattan.

But Boys & Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame nominee Wendy J. Mai got her first job — what she still considers her “best job” — at Camp Clifton.

“The first paycheck I ever earned was as a camp counselor at Camp Clifton, and to this day I still consider it to be the most enjoyable job I have ever had,” Mai wrote. “In high school, I worked as an after school counselor at The Club and found it rewarding to work

with and get to know all of the kids. I also taught dance during the after school program. The Club recognized me as Young Woman of the Year in 1995 and presented me with a scholarship that helped with expenses for my first year of college.”

In short, The Club helped send her on her way to higher things.

Mai hasn’t forgotten that, and hopes her nomination will “honor the important role the Club played in my youth. I participated in many activities at the club including the basketball cheerleading squad, bowling trips, and social events such as teen dances.

“As a member of the Keystone Club, I learned how to work as a team on various fundraising events and activities, had the opportunity to travel to conferCliftonmagazine.com • November 2016

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Hall of Fame

From left, Dawn Finer, Joe Barrie, Lou Weigele, Mike Will.

ences (St. Thomas!) that were not only fun but also educational, and built several friendships at that time that still endure today. The stories and the laughs from the Keystone trips have not yet been erased from my memory,” she said.

Mai’s other charitable activities include various volunteer activities through The Moody’s Foundation, such as providing interviewing skills training for recovering drug addicts, clothing consultation, interviewing skills training, and coaching for New York City women transitioning from unemployment to work.

“I would like to recognize and thank the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton for being such an important influence in my life and many others,” she said. “The Club provided a safe and accepting place to be myself and to build friendships, to discover and practice many interests, and to grow into a successful adult.”

The 2000s Siblings Mary, Adam, and David Najem, along with Alyssa Robinson, are the nominees for the Alumni Hall of Fame representing the most recent decade.

None of the nominees could be reached for comment before press time.

The 1990s Dawn Finer, Wendy J. Mai, Vincent Malba, and Randy Natoli are this decade’s nominees. Finer, Mai and Natoli are residents of Clifton, while Malba today resides in Lincoln Park.

Dawn Finer, a registered nurse, served in the US Air Force from 1999 to 2003, then obtained a B.S. in Nursing from Arizona State University. Finer does 86 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

charitable work for the MS Society and American Diabetes Association. When taking a break from the medical world, she enjoys golfing, yoga, and travel.

“The Boys Club and the Swim Team rally was/is a ‘Top 3’ life changer for me,” she wrote. Without it, I am confident I would not be where I am or who I am.”

Vincent Malba received his Chiropractic doctorate from New York Chiropractic College after obtaining a B.A. from the College of New Jersey. Active in Lion’s Club activities, Malba also is Vice President of the Boys & Girls Club Alumni. He called his Hall of Fame nomination “an honor,” and hopes it will assist his efforts “to give back to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton.”

Randy Natoli is Operations Warehouse Manager for New York-based Assouline Publishing. Natoli also is former head coach of the Clifton Hawks 7th and 8th grade boys basketball team. “It is an honor to me to become ‘immoralized’ to the Club I took great pride in representing,” he said.

“I feel I developed people skills through The Club because it was so diverse and I got to meet people from all walks of life,” Natoli said. The Club “started a snowball of confidence that has led me to redemption, followed by success, and today I’m doing things I never thought I’d be able to do if you asked me when I was 19 after high school ended.”

Natoli pointed out that his life could have been quite different —and a lot shorter —absent The Club.

“Without the Boys & Girls Club, I might never have found the skills to be something more than a kid ona bike getting into trouble, and could easily be dead like a few people I grew up with,” he observed.

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We found a letter to the editor Joe Barrie wrote to us in Nov. 2010 and figured it was worth a reprise here.

The 1980s Tim Kennedy and Paul Kokora, both of whom remain residents of Clifton, are this decade’s honorees.

Tim Kennedy is a Compliance Officer-Professional Insurance for Axis Insurance Services, Inc., based in Franklin Lakes. He earned a B.S. in Accounting and Law from William Paterson University. He serves as treasurer of the Boys & Girls Club Alumni Association, otherwise spending leisure time with various sports, cars, and family vacations “down the shore.”

Noting that he “learned to swim as a child” at the Club between 1970 and 1972, and later served as a Teen Council Member, he said he hopes his induction will enable “others to see that many people from all walks of life can help out and volunteer” to keep the Club viable.

Paul Kokura is District Sales Manager for Interstate Battery and, like Kennedy, remains active in the Club.

“I enjoyed participating in activities such as soccer and spending time at Camp Clifton,” he said. “I am also very proud that my daughter has begun to experience all the good that comes from being a member of the Boys & Girls Club and now we can share those memories together.”

I spent some of the best years of my life at the Clifton Boys Club, first as a gym rat, then cleaning ashtrays at the bingo hall and finally two years as gym director. So many great memories... but the October story about Tom DiDonna brought to mind what was one of the top moments for the athletic year of 1972.

The Clifton basketball team, with about a .500 record, went cross town to top-ranked arch rival Paul VI, ranked number 1 with 15 or so wins. Both teams had kids who played together at the Boys Club and in the park summer leagues. It was a game Clifton had to win and nobody gave us a chance.

Bottom line: An air ball from Mike Will hit off the referee and bounced to an opportunistic Mustang who laid it in to put Clifton ahead in the last minute.

Two foul shots by Pete Cannizzo in the closing seconds secured the victory.

After the game, an underclassmen took the words to Don McLean’s American Pie and changed it to these words: And the three men I admired the most, Wash, Moran and Joe Bigos, they took the last train to the coast, the Day the Patriots died!

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Hall of Fame

From left, Michael F. Cetinich, Randy Natoli, Paul Kokora, Tim Kennedy.

The 1970s Joe Barrie and Mike Will represent honorees from the 1970s. Barrie, a graduate of Fairleigh Dickenson University, is Director of Sales for Advantage Solutions.

A resident of Randallstown, Md., Barrie’s charitable activities include work with the Childrens Cancer Foundation and Catch a Lift, which aids wounded veterans. Recalling his days with the Boys & Girls Club, Barrie said, “I learned to swim, (and got to experience) the first time I worked as a youngster at bingo.I learned to interact with kids of all ages. The Club was the place to go.”

Mike Will also graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University, and is a Furniture Sales Associate for Macy’s Department Stores, When not doing volunteer work for Bag Hunger, the March of Dimes, or United Way, Will, a “sports fanatic and golfer,” is also an “avid reader of history and philosophy.” Speaking philosophically, he wrote, “I loved The Club and the memories and experiences that I took from there went with me to places far and near. It was an is a special place.”

The 1960s Michael Cetinich and Louis Weigele are the 1960sdecade honorees.

Michael Cetinich has spent 42 years with Imperial International, a wholesale supplier of mancave products such as pool tables, ping pong tables, and foosball tables. He has completed four marathons and has met — and played with — some legendary pool players, including Minnesota Fats. Outside of competitive pursuits, Celinich sings and plays guitar with the classic rock band Brookwood since 2003; he, along with three other members of the five-member band, lived on the band’s namesake Clifton street at some point.

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“I honed my basketball skills playing basketball once a week at the Boys & Girls Club for 25 years. Thank you, Bob Foster,” Cetinich quipped.

Louis Weigele holds an M.S. in Social Administration and is a doctoral candidate in social welfare at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

As a Clinical Social Worker, Weigele’s work involves ‘care and treatment of severe and persistent mental illness, forensics, dual diagnosis (substance abuse and mental illness), problem gambling, drug dependency, and other addictions.”

Weigele’s numerous honors include, fittingly, the Clifton Boys Club 1969 Young Man of the Year, and he noted, “From the time the Boys Club opened on Clifton Avenue in 1958, it was an integral and important influence in my life. Throughout my entire youth, I attended the Boys Club on a virtually daily basis.”

He added, “I have maintained some balance in my life thanks to an appreciation of recreational activities developed at the Boys Club.”

The 1950s Francis J. Calise, still residing in Clifton, is the sole honoree representing the 1950s. Now retired, he received his B.S. in Business Administration and Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University. He also served in the US Army and was a Captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard from 1974 to 1986. He served as a Passaic County Freeholder and was active in numerous volunteer organizations, including Pershing Rifles Alumni Association, Clifton Ice Hockey Booster Club, and the Scholarship Committee (Clifton). He has served on the Board of Trustees for the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton since 1982. He was honored as Volunteer of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey.

In what’s left of his free time, Calise serves as an official for track and field, as well as for crosscountry. He also enjoys boating, fishing, and motorcycle riding. As an Alumni Hall of Fame member, he hopes to “continue to be involved in the growth of services to the youth of this community. I want to continue to support current programs and provide a vision for future programs.”

The 1976-77 Basketball Team Champions. That’s the title the 1976-77 Boys & Girls Club basketball team earned 40 years ago, shared by 12 players working toward a common goal. The team, coached by Tom DiDonna, will Brookwood, from left: Peter Cetinich, Danny Pugliese, also be honored. Players included: Tim O’Brien, John Giardina, Mike Cetinich and, seated, Tex O’Connor.

Ontray Dixon, Tom Zilinek, Randy Calligaro, Ed The annual event is a reminder of the role youth Nuber, Mark Ranges, Tod Kostisin, Berkley Cooper, development activities contribute to Clifton’s wellMike Poulis, Carl Heil, Nick Lordi, and Ray Cardillo. being — and the well-being of the myriad members that For all the individuals and groups recognized here, have been a part of the club for more than 60 years. and indeed for all those dedicated to the Boys & Girls As per usual, the event is part ceremony and a big Club, the 10th Alumni Beefsteak on Nov. 18 at 7 pm is part party! Serenading attendees this year is The a chance to celebrate and to stay in touch with friends Manhatten Brothers—who knows... there may be some old and new. special guests—so come ready to party.

Tickets are $40; call 973-773-0966, ext. 119.

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which means Tomahawk Jr. is trained and nationally certified in restorative water drying methods by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, also known as IICRC. Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2016

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Dec. 9 book launch:

NJ Folk Music History

by Michael Gabriele

Above, guitarist & banjo player Roger Deitz, a 1967 graduate of Clifton High School. Right: Clifton author Michael Gabriele; photo by Laura LaBadia.

New Jersey Folk Revival Music: History & Tradition, the new book by Clifton author and historian Michael Gabriele and published by The History Press, will be unveiled at a reception on Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church St., Nutley.

The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and free parking is available on neighborhood streets. Complementary refreshments, coffee, desserts and light snacks will be served.

Ron Olesko, the president of the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club in Fair Lawn, a long-time writer for Sing Out! magazine, and a radio DJ with WFDU FM at Fairleigh Dickinson University, will serve as the keynote speaker and master of ceremonies.

Roger Deitz, an accomplished, well-traveled musician on the Garden State folk revival music circuit, is the special guest artist for the reception.

A 1967 CHS grad, Deitz received the 2012 “lifetime achievement award” from the New Jersey Folk Festival. He has written books, essays, reviews, and commentary pieces, and was a program director for the June Days Folk Festival, an annual attraction in northern New Jersey during the 1970s and 1980s.

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Gabriele’s book, 192 pages with more than 80 photos, provides a narrative on the evolution, traditions and history of folk revival music in New Jersey, beginning with the bawdy tavern revelers and fiddle players of the 1700s.

The book underlines the notion that folk revival music is a “living history” that builds upon time-honored traditions—creating poetry that speaks to the quiet dignity of everyday life, while addressing important social and political issues.

This is Gabriele’s third book published by The History Press. He also has written The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey (2011) and The History of Diners in New Jersey (2013).

A lifelong New Jersey resident, Gabriele is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist and freelance writer for four decades.

He’s a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society and serves on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center.

Born in Passaic, Gabriele grew up in Nutley and has resided in Clifton since 1990. He is a frequent contributor to Clifton Merchant Magazine.

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Felix& Oscar

Cast of The Odd Couple (seated, from left) Frank Favata, Tarek Salib, Steve Adubato; (standing) Mike Purdy, Tara Moran, Rebecca Shuster, Vincent Bivona, Zach Abraham.

“On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. (Unger’s unseen wife slams door, only to reopen it and angrily hand Felix his saucepan.) That request came from his wife.

“Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that someday, he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison. Sometime earlier, Madison’s wife had thrown him out, requesting that he never return. Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?”

So begins the narration to the opening of The Odd Couple, the Neil Simon play which became a TV series in the 1970s and is now being staged by The Theater League of Clifton. Performances are on Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at the Theresa Aprea Theater, 199 Scoles Ave. Ticket range from $15 to $25.

Go to theaterleagueofclifton.com to purchase.

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History & Entertainment Clifton’s Walk through History Part IV is an exhibit by historian Don Lotz which provides a visual story and glance at the history of Clifton, from about 1975 through 2015, as the community of 85,000 begins to celebrate its centennial in 2017. The exhibit, at the Clifton Arts Center, 900 Clifton Ave., is displayed through Dec. 3. The gallery is open Wed. through Sat., 1 to 4 pm. Admission is $3.

More info at cliftonnj.org. Since opening in Jan. 2000, more than 40,000 visitors have enjoyed art exhibits and cultural events at the Clifton Arts Center.

The Passaic County Historical Society’s holiday boutique in Lambert Castle serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for the Society. Open Nov. 5 to 27, the boutique offers shoppers an assortment of holiday gifts, jewelry, decorations, crafts, collectibles and gourmet food in the historic atmosphere and ambience of Lambert Castle, at 3 Valley Rd., Paterson. Fees vary with options for return trips and events. Details at lambertcastle.org.

Highlander Band Drum Majors Megan Hogan and Madison McIntyre surround Marching Mustang Drum Major Michele Zerelik as a prelude to the 17th Annual Military Concert and Tattoo in West Milford. This indoor musical showcase of bagpiping bands, drum corps and the high-stepping Marching Mustangs is on Nov. 12, 6:30 pm at West Milford High School, 67 Highlander Drive, West Milford. Tickets are $20 for ages 13 and over, $15 for 60 and over. Kids 5 to 12 are $10 and those under 4 are free. Questions? Visit wmhighlanderband.com or write to julia.ligosh@gmail.com for more details.

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973-546-1105 92 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

CHS this month presents The Complete History of America (abridged). It’s a spoof — done in sketch comedy form (like Laugh-In or S.N.L.) — where different significant events in America’s history are lampooned by the cast below. Performance dates: Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, November 20 at 2 pm.

The cast, standing from left: Faith Popowich, Hailey Parikh, Nicole Aramboles, Wendy Olmos, Sylvia Dwornicki, Christopher Grullon. Kneeling from left: Gabriella Sotelo, Andrew Barbosa, Manuel Camacho.

The 13th Passaic County Film Festival is on April 22, 2017, at 10 am in Paterson’s Center City Mall.

Film entries are due on Jan. 29, 2017. Filmmakers must live, work, or attend school in Passaic County.

Categories include: general short film; public service announcement; documentary; music video and tourism, or eco-tourism; history short film. Awards will be given for best film, best short film that highlights the issue of mental health awareness. There is no cost to enter a film or to attend the festival. Hosted by the Passaic County Film Commission and the Office of Economic Development, contact film@passaiccountynj.org or visit passaiccountynj.org/film.

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A Quiet Hero & the Class President Now through June, one CHS student will be featured as the Mustang of the Month.

Meet September’s Senior Class President & October’s Quiet Junior Hero.

It’s a great day to be a Mustang are the words Principal Anthony Orlando has made the official slogan of CHS, helping to invoke school spirit and pride.

CHS Class President Hiral Shah has embraced that concept and made it the cornerstone of creating her Mustang Mob on Twitter (@THE_MUSTANG_MOB).

With hundreds of followers, she and others get the student section filled at Mustang home games.

Calling themselves “the fan section of Clifton,” the Mustang Mob has not only made its presence felt at every varsity football game so far, but also at other sports, including boys and girls soccer and volleyball.

Said Shah (at center with the American flag), “On opening night at Clifton Stadium, most of us wore white for a ‘White Out.’ The Mustang Mob, which sits on the right side under the press box, featured masks and wigs to show their team spirit. The Mustang Mob is only one of many school-related efforts for Shah, a product of School 16 94 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

and Woodrow Wilson Middle School prior to her arrival at CHS — and her role as CHS Class President.

“Not only have I grown as a leader, but also I have become a more patient and hard-working student” when overseeing class events, fundraisers, and of course the Mustang Mob. All of which qualifies Shah for a welldeserved Student of the Month (September) accolade.

Shah is quick to credit her family, including parents, older brother, and sister, for aiding her academic efforts.

“Throughout my 12 years in school, my family has been there to support me through it all. They are my biggest motivation,” she said.

Outside of school, Shah is serving an internship at a doctor’s office in nearby Nutley. “Working with the doctor and his staff has helped me see what my future may look like,” she said. “After graduating from high school, I plan on going to a university and majoring in Biology, and after receiving a BS degree I hope to continue my education in med school,” she said.

Being a Mustang has provided a foundation for those goals, Shah said.

“Clifton High School gives you a sense of freedom that you would not be able to get anywhere else. I love being able to walk in-between periods and see all the familiar faces! I have met some lifelong friends here that I am able to see every day. CHS has helped me become the person I am today and I will never be able to express how thankful I am to be a part of this Mustang family.”

A Quiet Mustang Hero CHS Junior Yazeed Saleh demonstrated his concern for the Mustang family in dramatic fashion. On his way to class one day, Saleh saw a female student collapse in the hallway — and sprang into action.

“Yazeed got everyone else out of the way, and scooped the girl up, carrying her to the Central Wing office,” said

Hiral Shah

Yazeed Saleh

Mike Doktor, Central Wing VP. “He just saw it happen and he reacted.” His selflessness didn’t end there, Doktor said, adding, “He kept coming back to the office; he was truly worried about a fellow student. He made a big difference that day in the life of a fellow student.

That’s why we’ve nominated him for Student of the Month in October. “ Saleh considers himself an “average student” but driven by success. His favorite subjects are “anything to do with science, mostly biology and chemistry.” Saleh has plans to attend medical school, though he noted “I also love to do real estate.”

Like Shah, Saleh cherishes his CHS experience. “The best part about CHS is the opportunity it gives you to socialize and learn new things every day.”

Including, it appears, the ability to come to another’s aid in time of great need.

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Birthdays & Celebrations

Nicole Mokray will be 16 on Nov. 7. Nicholas Glodova is 21 on Nov. 12. Van Houten Ave. jeweler Frank Lacki turned 90 on Nov. 2. Happy 31st birthday to niece Nancy Hawrylko on Nov. 19. Bev Lacsina is 27 on Nov. 8. Peter and Heather Fierro’s son Matthew will turn 5 on Nov. 25. That jovial friend of Santa, Alan Spoto, turns 62 on Nov. 3.

Send dates & names... tomhawrylko@optonline.net Jazzlyn Caba ................11/1 Robyn Jo Paci................11/2 Thomas Scancarella .......11/2 Kelly Tierney .................11/3 Lance Dearing ...............11/4 Olivia Nysk ..................11/4 Andrew Seitz ................11/4 Victoria Krzysztofczyk ....11/5 Tanya Ressetar...............11/5 Kristina Azevedo ...........11/6

Virginia Lukashefski celebrated her 90th birthday on Oct. 2 and the Gregg family feted her for being such an amazing, kind, and sweet influence.

Nicole Lorraine Bonin.....11/6 Martha Derendal ...........11/6 Danielle Osellame .........11/6 Kristen Soltis..................11/6 James Ball.....................11/7 Kevin Lord.....................11/7 Francine Anderson.........11/8 Ray Konopinski..............11/8 Beverly Lascina..............11/8 Marie Sanzo .................11/8 Donna Camp ................11/9 Tricia Montague ............11/9 Brandy Stiles ...............11/10 Tom Szieber ................11/10 Stacey Van Blarcom Takacs.....................11/10 Joseph Franek III ..........11/11 Laura Gasior ...............11/12 Geraldine Ball .............11/13 Patricia Franek ............11/13 Robert Paci .................11/13 Gregory Chase ...........11/15 Ken Peterson ...............11/15 Kathy Schmidt ............11/15 Matthew Phillips ..........11/16 Anthony Wrobel ..........11/16

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Michael Zangara.........11/16 Marilyn Velez ..............11/18 Joseph Tyler ................11/19 Joseph Guerra.............11/20 Jon Whiting ................11/21 Andreas Dimitratos ......11/22 Katerina Dimitratos ......11/22 Margaret Egner ...........11/22 Carol Peterson.............11/24 Brian Derendal ............11/25 Eileen Fierro................11/25 Peter Kedl ...................11/25 Crystal Lanham............11/25 Rachel Prehodka-Spindel ..11/25 Brian Derendal ............11/25 Kristen Bridda .............11/26 Jessi Cholewczynski .....11/26 Dillon Curtiss...............11/26 Bethany Havriliak ........11/26 Kelly Moran ................11/27 Sami Suaifan...............11/28 Amanda Grace Feiner..11/29 Anne Hetzel ................11/29 Christopher Seitz .........11/29 Kaitlyn Graham ...........11/30 Barbara Luzniak ..........11/30

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Johnny Manganiotis proposed to Amy Sabani on July 17 and in Sept. 2017 they will become Mr. & Mrs. Cupcakes.

Martha Derendal celebrates her 62nd birthday on Nov. 6, reports her husband Matthew.

On Nov. 16, wish a Happy 70th to this sweet cookie at Corrado’s... Rosario LaCorte Cliftonmagazine.com • November 2016

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Mustang History

These Fighting Mustangs began the 2006 campaign slowly and many assumed it was just another ho-hum year for the team, who had not won a playoff game in a quarter of a century. However, after playing to a 3-3 record in the middle of October, the Mustangs emerged victorious in their next two must-win games to get to the playoffs. After two more upsets, they landed in the North 1 Group 4 State Championship game against Eastside Paterson, a team which had beaten them earlier in the season. Over 8,000 fans showed up on Dec. 2, 2006 at Giants Stadium to cheer on the Mustangs as they romped over the Ghosts for a 26-0 shutout in the Battle of the Meadowlands.

98 November 2016 • Cliftonmagazine.com

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