Wunder Nurse Thanked For Helping Crash Victim Five Years Ago Hundreds Give Final Salute To Fallen Fire ghter

Gerry

By Chris Lundy BERKELEY

– Ger- ald LaCrosse and Patricia Kunkle met once before, five years ago, under much worse circumstances. They met again just after the anniversary of the crash that almost took his life. And he’s sure her intervention is what saved him.

Gerry was working inside his hot dog cart der

Wunder Wiener on June 11, 2018. It was before 8 a.m. He wasn’t open, just doing some routine work when an SUV left the roadway and plowed into the stand.

The events of that day were fuzzy, and so much of it had to be told to him later. One thing that he was informed was that there was a nurse who had pulled over to help him. He had a head injury, and was on blood thinners. He’s sure that she saved his life and he never knew who she was.

After telling The Berkeley Times that he’d love to meet her and thank her personally, the article went online. Her proud husband tagged her in the story. Their reunion was sweet, and they couldn’t say enough nice things about each other. First, they walked along Route 9, by the original umbrella that has been waiting there for five years. Then, they made their way back to the trailer. Patricia was happy to move back; she got nervous with him close to the road. Everyone

By Stephanie Faughnan

BERKELEY –

A somber atmosphere engulfed Central Regional High School as family, friends, and fellow fi refighters gathered to honor and remember Brian Joseph Letrent, who dedicated his life to serving others.

According to the US Fire Administration, Letrent, a 34-year-old Bayville fi refighter, died of a heart attack on June 21, 2023.

A 2007 Central Regional High School graduate, it’s unlikely that Letrent ever anticipated his photograph displayed on the school’s outdoor marquee – or snippets of his life flashed on the big screen in his high school auditorium.

During the wake and funeral, an unwavering honor guard maintained a solemn vigil over Letrent’s casket. Bayville Volunteer Fire Department members

(Nurse - See Page 4) (Firefighter - See Page 4)

e Of Jersey Devil Statue

Leads Down A Road rough History

By Stephanie Faughnan PINE BARRENS –

The recent theft of a prized Jersey Devil statue from an Ocean County restaurant has reignited a wave of interest in the history of the legendary creature. Accounts of sightings of the “real” Jersey Devil have persisted for well over two centuries. The allure of capturing the elusive creature has even led to rewards being offered, and at one point, claims that it was caught and on public display.

According to popular folklore regarding the

Jersey Devil, the story begins with Mother Leeds, a woman who lived in a part of Galloway outside Smithville. She became quite upset after she learned she was pregnant for the thirteenth time. On a stormy night in 1735, Mother Leeds was sur- rounded by her concerned friends as she entered labor.

During a 2014 presentation given to the Colonel Richard Somers Chapter, New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Kean University professor Dr. (Devil - See Page 5)

Firefighter: Continued From Page 1 took turns standing watch, with one firefighter stationed at the head of the coffin and another at the foot. Their dedicated presence symbolized the fi refighting community’s respect and gratitude for his service.

Amidst the gathering, approximately 30 fire companies, including 250 firefighters and other first responders, paid their respects to Letrent. Uniformed personnel, adorned with black tape over their badges as a symbol of mourning, lined up in a ceremonial salute.

“Brian has offered a lesson in his life to all of us in the lesson of service,” said Father Anthony Lipari, a Franciscan Friar. “I imagine Brian being welcomed first by his patron saint. Saint Florian was the man who saved Rome and became the patron saint of fire service.”

Two officers highlighted Letrent’s contributions to the Bayville Volunteer Fire Department and proudly spoke of their fallen comrade’s selflessness and dedication.

“Brian gave freely of his time and strength,” said one of the officers. “Risking at many times his own life and limb, without any thoughts of personal gain or glory to help others.”

“He labored very hard to make our community a safer place to live and make others proud of it,” the officer continued. “During his journey here, Brian helped reduce fires to a minimum. He has searched for little ones lost from home. He has battled the elements

Nurse:

Continued From Page 1 was happy to see that there are now barriers in front of the cart.

“They’re going to have to aim for me,” Gerry joked.

The two compared notes, going through what happened that fateful day, filling in holes in what each other knew.

Gerry said he doesn’t remember if he saw the SUV hit.

“I couldn’t hear anything. The sound of the crash was so great,” he said. Kunkle got off from work at around 7:30 a.m. at the hospital in Lakewood.

“I saw the white truck crash,” she said. She immediately pulled over to see if she could help. The driver was fine. There were two men sifting through the debris and they said to her “He’s still in there!” She couldn’t believe that anyone could be in that wreckage.

She had a bit of gauze in her pocket still from work, but that wasn’t enough. One of the men had a first aid kit in his truck and she went to work using that.

Gerry remembers being trapped but he wasn’t panicked. Rather, he was strangely calm. He knew his defibrillator wasn’t working, so he thought “This is it. this is how it ends.” When darkness gave way to light, he thought he was seeing the light but it was the debris being lifted off him.

He saw a hand coming up, grabbing debris, and he recognized the sleeve of the work shirt as belonging to Frank, who he knew was already nearby before the crash. His hearing started to come back because he could hear a hiss. He said “Frank, Frank that’s propane!” during fierce storms and seen his community grow and prosper from the advanced technologies and equipment of the present time.”

In addition to his role as a volunteer firefighter, Letrent also served in the US Army. His time in the military further exemplified Letrent’s commitment to protecting others and making a difference in the world.

As part of the memorial service, the haunting notes of Taps reverberated through the air. Two uniformed Army representatives carefully unfolded the American flag that draped Letrent’s casket, honoring his service to his country. With precision and care, they folded the flag before presenting it to the young veteran’s grieving family as a token of appreciation.

One of the most chilling moments during the funeral was the “Last Alarm Service” dispatch, which evoked a deep sense of reverence in the room. The tolling of three bells, followed by alert tones and radio sounds, marked the beginning of the dispatch.

“Fire Station 17, this is the final alarm for fellow firefighter and Hazmat technician Brian Joseph Letrent,” said the dispatcher. “You have faithfully served your fellow men and left an indelible mark…”

“Your work on Earth has come to an end, and our Creator has called you home,” continued the voice. “You will be sorely missed but not forgotten.”

The dispatch concluded with the sound of sirens, serving as a poignant farewell to a dedicated firefighter who had made a lasting impact on his community.

After that, Gerry’s memories fade out. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the hospital. Patricia was able to fill in the blanks.

“When we got the debris off, you said ‘Hi. I’m Gerry!’”

Gerry was amused that he apparently introduced himself five years ago. He didn’t realize he had the presence of mind to hold a conversation.

“You talked the whole time,” Patricia said. “I kept you talking because I didn’t want you to stop talking.”

“Thank God you were there,” Gerry said. “I’m so glad you didn’t work overtime.”

Gerry wanted Patricia to meet his family. They were on their way to der Wunder Wiener to meet her.

“You’ve got to meet my granddaughter,” he told her. “You have given me so much pleasure just the last five years with her.”

His wife, Beverly and daughter, Michelle Schiel, gave her hugs of thanks.

“Words can’t...” Schiel said, unable to continue.

“It’s a miracle,” Beverly said.

Both of them were humble about their contributions.

“I was just a small piece of the puzzle,” Patricia said. “You’re such an icon for the community.”

“I don’t want to be a celebrity,” Gerry said. “I just want to sell hot dogs.”

Five years went by quickly, and yet customers are watching the days drag on. Seeing the new building go up have made mouths water with anticipation, like Pavlov ringing a bell. Even when the families were outside the cart, someone drove up, asking if they were open.

Gerry said there’s still no set date on the re-opening, as it’s tied up in bureaucracy.

Their conversation was punctuated by people driving by, honking in support.

“It’s a wonderful sound,” he said.

Jersey Devil: Continued From Page 1

Brian Regal provided more of the details associated with the legend.

“It was a difficult birth, and she screamed out, ‘Let this one be the devil,’” said Regal. “Rather than a normal baby coming out, a kind of horse-like thing with wings came out. It yelps at the astonished family, flies up the chimney, and disappears off into the Pine Barrens.”

“It then spends the next several centuries accosting anyone unfortunate enough to encounter it,” Regal continued.

A visit to Leeds Point confi rms that a Leeds family were prominent members of the local area. However, the road leading to their home is now private property. Others have reported that the Leeds house itself burned to the ground in 1952, and only its foundation still exists.

Kenneth Sooy, Sr., who has worked as Galloway’s Town Historian, said his wife is a Leeds, which further prompted his interest in the story of the Jersey Devil. He opined that a child born with deformities may have started the captivating legend.

“The child maybe occasionally got loose and ran through the yards,” said Sooy. “There was no television and no radio. People would just be sitting in the yard at dusk because it would be a hot night…Something goes scurrying through the brush; they might think it’s anything.”

Sooy said he believed the folk tale was actually attributed to Japhet and Deborah Leeds, but only because they had twelve children. However, the dates don’t work out according to Sooy. The couple were also highly regarded in the community, involved in the church, and not participating in witchcraft.

A Historical Perspective

Regal suggested that the legend of Mother Leeds giving birth to the Jersey Devil may have little to do with the Galloway area. His feelings are the story’s roots come from religious-political clashes in colonial Burlington County. These disputes involved early New Jersey politicians, including Benjamin Franklin and Daniel Leeds, a prominent figure of the time who was ostracized by the Quaker community for publishing almanacs containing astrological symbols and writings.

Regal pointed out the picture in the opening pages of his second phase almanac displayed a dragon-like figure that may have led to the beginning of the Jersey Devil’s legendary creation.

Not only did the Quakers order the removal of Leeds’ almanac, but they also demanded that copies of his subsequent work, “The Temple of Wisdom,” be destroyed. Only one copy of the book exists in the United States and is a part of the Pennsylvania Historical Society’s collection.

“Leeds is on the receiving end of the fi rst major political censorship campaign in America,” said Regal. “This just devastates him because he joined the Society of Friends because he felt these people loved him and embraced him and felt the same way he did.”

The disputes between Leeds and the Quaker community intensified. Leeds decided to write anti-Quaker pamphlets, leading to his dismissal and public condemnation by the local South Jersey Quaker community. In retaliation, a Quaker named Caleb Pusey published a book called “Satan’s Harbinger Encountered,” suggesting Leeds penned his works on behalf of the devil.

Leeds’ son Titan ultimately inherited the almanac business, and Ben Franklin went up against Titan when he published his own almanac, calling it Poor Richard’s.

According to Regal’s research, Franklin decided to fight his competition by saying Poor Richard had consulted the stars and predicted Titan’s death.

Titan Leeds allegedly became very insulted and accused Franklin of being a fool and a liar. Franklin’s response may have also contributed to the origin of the Leeds Devil and, subsequently that of the Jersey Devil. The two may have been related but not necessarily the same.

In reply to the accusations, Franklin called Titan his friend, and said that he would never say horrible things about him. Regal called the ruse essentially a “smear campaign.”

“This must be the ghost of Titan Leeds,” Franklin reportedly said. “If you see Titan Leeds, that must mean that the ghost of Titan Leeds has come back to life as a sorcerer.”

In the winter of around 1905, Regal said peculiar footprints appeared in the snow scattered across the Pine Barrens, with an intriguing connection made by the locals.

These mysterious markings prompted memories of the notorious Leeds Devil and marked the inception of what would become the compelling tale of the Jersey Devil.

Regal explained that the proprietors of a Philadelphia “dime museum” recognized the public’s intrigue surrounding the elusive creature and sought to capitalize on it. Their ingenious plan involved painting a kangaroo green, affixing wings to it, and promoting it as a part of their freak show. In a bid to enhance the exhibit’s allure, they cleverly chose the name “Jersey Devil,” believing it would generate more interest than the moniker “Leeds Devil.”

Jersey Devil Sightings

Despite historical theories that challenge the existence of a supernatural being like the Jersey Devil, adamant believers persist in their claims of firsthand encounters. The legend of the Jersey Devil has become integral to New Jersey’s identity, with countless sightings and eerie encounters etching themselves into the fabric of local folklore. Many maintain that the elusive creature continues to wander through the vast expanse of the Pine Barrens.

Two years ago, Susan Wolf, a senior citizen from Whiting, fi rmly believed she came face-to-face with the Jersey Devil. The incident occurred as Wolf returned home after visiting her boyfriend at Deborah Hospital.

“It was ten o’clock in the evening, and I was on Lakehurst Road,” Wolf said. “There was a lot of mist in the air as I neared Whiting’s bogs.”

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