Zallie ShopRite stores honored veterans during a special luncheon on Armed Forces Day (May 18), a holiday that encourages people to thank military members for their service. Luncheons simultaneously took place across the seven different Zallie ShopRite stores in Camden and Gloucester Counties.
“These veterans are our friends and neighbors and we look forward to thanking them in person for their service and bravery. Our luncheons provide an opportunity to gather six veterans per store to recognize the sacrifices they’ve made for our freedom. My late grandfather was in the service and I know he would be so proud our family continues this tradition each year,” said Giuliana Zallie, director of marketing for her family’s seven ShopRite stores.
Veterans honored at the luncheon were chosen with the help of local VFW locations, which make sure different veterans are selected each year. Each veteran is welcome to bring up to four family members to enjoy a hot buffet lunch and attend the recognition ceremony.
Zallie store directors acted as emcees and presented each honoree with a certificate of appreciation along with gifts. Each veteran received a $200 bank gift card and other items all created in store by Zallie’s own various departments. Gifts include a patriotic floral arrangement, gourmet fruit and cheese basket, and a Swarovski ornament bearing the inscription, “Home of the Free, Because of the Brave.”
Honored veterans were:
ShopRite of Williamstown:
- Thomas Dixon, US Marine Corps, Lance Corporal, Hammonton
- Walter Janton, US Army (WWII), Sergeant, Williamstown
- Charles Edward Hoffner, US National Guard and Army Reserve, Staff Sergeant, North Wildwood
- Walter Schaeffer, US Air Force, Sergeant, Williamstown
- Ken Jaegge, US Army, Specialist E-4, Williamstown
- William Morrison, US Coast Guard, Third Class, Williamstown
ShopRite of Chews Landing in Laurel Springs:
- William Simpson, US Navy, E-5, Laurel Springs
- Steven C. Harlow Jr., US Air Force Reserve, Master Sergeant E-7, Deptford
- Roy Briggs, US Army, Sergeant E-5, Bellmawr
- Anthony Santanello, US Air Force, Staff Sergeant, Blackwood
- Jerry McAllister, US Coast Guard, E-4 and BM3, Glendora
- Albert O’Neil, US Navy, Aviation Electronic Tech, (AT1), Clementon
ShopRite of Sicklerville:
- Nicholas Gellert Jr., US Air Force, E-5, Williamstown
- David Costin, US Marine Corps, Master Sergeant, Williamstown
- Louis Lamberto, US Army, SP3, Williamstown
- Robert Hoell, US Marine Corps, PFC, Franklinville
- Leonard Hansford, US Air Force, E-2, Sicklerville
- Gilbert Henderson, US Army, E-4, Sicklerville
ShopRite of West Berlin:
- Frank Newman, US Marine Corps, Sergeant, Waterford
- Howard Secrest, US Army, E-4, Berlin, NJ
- John Foxhill, US Army, E-5, Gibbsboro
- Matt Cushing, US Navy, Lieutenant, Atco
- George Mitchell, US Air Force, E-7 Master Sergeant, Sicklerville
- Thomas MacPherson, US Army National Guard, Specialist, Pine Hill
ShopRite of Laurel Hill in Clementon:
- Robert McCord, US Army, Staff Sergeant, Runnemede
- Steven Head, US Navy, E-5 Petty Officer, Gibbsboro
- Michael Cremean, US Navy, Electrician Mate 3rd Class, Barrington
- Allen Vickers, US Army E-4, Lawnside
- Carl Costello, US Air Force, Airman Third Class, Runnemede
- Walter Juliano, US Air Force, Airman First Class E-4, Voorhees
ShopRite of Glassboro:
- David Genovese Sr., US Navy, E-5 Petty Officer Second Class, Franklinville
- Kelly Hinton, US Army, E-4 Specialist, Glassboro
- Joseph Warren, US Navy, E-4 Machinist, Glassboro
- Thomas Keeley, US Navy, E-4, Sewell
- Glenn Gappo, US Air Force, E-4, Sewell
- Louis Wilson, Sr., US Air Force, Sewell
ShopRite of West Deptford:
- James Heise, US Army E-4 Specialist, Mantua
- Bill Clay, US Marine Corps, E-5 Sergeant, Mantua
- Michael Damminger Sr., US Air Force, E-5 Staff Sergeant, Westville
- Frank Coppolino, US Marine Corps, Sergeant, Oaklyn
- Judy Stanish, US Air Force, Senior Master Sergeant, Wenonah
- Jim McHugh, US Marine Corps, Sergeant, Wenonah
