please see HISTORY, page 17

HOLIDAY

HISTORY continued from page 16 viduals of importance.

Stanley Dancer, a prominent horse racer, who won over 3,000 races and secured nearly $30 million in prize money, was highlighted for his career accomplishments. He was inducted into the Harness Racing Living Hall of Fame in 1970 and was a three-time Triple Crown winner.

Another individual highlighted was Walter Denise. Coyne stated that he wrote a book about WWII veterans from Freehold. Coyne recalled a war story that was shared with him by Denise and fellow solider, Stanley Benezette.

“Walter was a Christian scientist. He was a very deeply religious man. The main thing to remember of Walter Denise is that one of his comrades (Benezette) was wounded on the battlefield. Walter crawled out to get him, dragged him back, saying the Lord’s prayer over and over again.

“Stanley Benezette was Catholic, so he didn’t say ‘the kingdom, the power and the glory’ and Walter kept finishing the prayer for him. That’s why he [essentially] lived, because Walter finished the prayer,” Coyne said.

Ultimately, the tour showcased why documentation is necessary for generational connectivity. Through the recording of history and the preservation of vital information, people can better understand and appreciate the generations that existed before them.

Higgins explained that as the time periods changed, so did the gravesite monuments.

“You’ll see that monuments have evolved over time and become more of what we know today as a traditional monument. Some tell stories. There are epitaphs, they give warnings to people about what the future could bring, how they should live their lives.

“As we come into more modern times, you’ll see pictures and different messages. You’ll see markers from fire companies, the Elks Lodge, the Masonic Lodge, those kinds of markers. You’ll see markers from the Grand Army of the Public and also the American Legion,”

Similarly, as modern life gradually changes, it’s still important to capture the timeline of today’s generation with shared conversations, personal stories, photographs, and local history from the residents who served as veterans, politicians, businesses owners, leaders, and everyone in-between,” Higgins said. 