Nam Knights Motorcycle Club - Tri-Base Chapter

News and Community Outreach

Barnegat Teen on a Mission to Honor Veterans

By Eric Englund

January 15, 2025

When Vincent Lorenzo of Barnegat Township went trick or treating this past Halloween, he didn't pick one of the more popular costumes on the market. Rather, he was proud to wear military fatigues. It was a tribute to his grandfather, the late James Beninato, who was awarded three Purple Hearts during his four-year tour of Vietnam.

"Unfortunately, I never got to meet him because he passed away before I was born," said Vincent, 13. "But he is one of the reasons I have a strong appreciation for our military."

His mother, Marissa Lorenzo, said her son's keen interest in veterans came about when he was 4.

"At the time, we took a trip to Washington," she said. "He wanted to see the White House, but there were no tours available, so he was a little sad. But we drove around to see the Washington Monument, the Capitol, the memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. After that trip, he wanted to know about our history, and that's when he learned more about the people in the military service."

She said when her son was 7, he emptied his piggy bank to buy a floral arrangement to honor a local veteran, Laurie Roberts, who had done 11 tours of duty with the Army.

"And since then he has done much more to honor veterans."

She said that for the past three years, Vincent has been giving veterans handmade Christmas cards and gift cards to a local restaurant, to show his thanks and appreciation for all they have done.

"He started raising money by playing a saxophone on the corner of his street. There he met a group of local men called the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club, Tri-Base Chapter, which honor American veterans and police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty," she said. "They were so touched by him that they have donated money to him the past three years so that he can reach more veterans.

"He also made handmade bracelets and sold them at a local salon in Manahawkin and used a portion of his profits to buy restaurant gift cards. When he went to purchase the gift cards at the Olive Garden, they also gave him $50 extra to put towards his giving. Vincent saves his money all year long so that he can bring a smile to veterans' faces during the Christmas season."

This year, she said Vincent got the help of three special friends to make more than 200 Christmas cards.

"They were so happy to help him make the cards that they wanted to help him hand them out as well. Vincent spent countless hours walking through stores and parking lots, looking for veterans. He had the honor to thank and shake the hands of so many. He also had the pleasure of a few hugs, heard hundreds of stories and saw many tears. Vincent is very passionate about his mission."

Vincent targeted large businesses such as Costco, BJ's, Walmart, ShopRite and Target in his mission.

"You can usually spot the veteran wearing a special cap or jacket indicating what branch of the military they served," said his mother.

Vincent received a special honor when he was 10 and Thy Cavagnaro, co-founder of Thanking Vietnam Veterans, had him serve as keynote speaker for the 2022 Vietnam Veterans Day tribute in Barnegat.

"Vietnam vets like my grandfather and you are my heroes," Lorenzo told the crowd at the Frederick Watts Gazebo Park. "Some people think heroes fly in the sky to save the day, but I believe a hero is someone special who risks their lives for others. They help to keep our country safe and protect others from harm. A hero is someone that is brave and willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. A hero is you!"

The teen received a standing ovation, and following the ceremony, several veterans gave him commemorative coins from similar events.

"Meeting someone like Vincent comes once in a lifetime," said Cavagnaro. "He's truly an inspirational soul, with his devotion to veterans shining right from the core. When children older than he are more focused on what may be troubling them right before their eyes, Vincent doesn't forget history and how invaluable our veterans' contributions to our free world have been. This is why I just had to make him our keynote speaker. And he rocked the house, to boot!"

Congratulations to New Chief, Peter Sundack

87FSS Donation for Christmas

Night to Shine

000 MA22 Ruck Sponsorship

Thank You From Vincent's Mother

A Donation for Vincent

Thank You from JB MDL EFMP One Stop

Axes for Vets Fundraiser

Quilts of Valor Foundation Donation

A Thank You from Charlie

Visit to Southern Ocean Center

Ma Deuce Deuce 2024 OperationRuckIt Sponsor

MICA Paws for Heroes Fundraiser Sponsor

American Legion Post 294 Golf Outing Hole Sponsor

Mansfield Township Recreation Girls and Bous Soccer Sponsorship

Thank You From Jackson PBA 163

Sponsorship for the Faces of Valor USA

Cigar Night Sponsor for Jackson PBA 163

Baggers and Brews Sponsor

Pemberton, NJ offers World War II veteran James O'Brien, 99, a hero's welcome after Normandy visit

June 8, 2024

by Kevin Riordan

He was hoping for a parade upon his return from D-Day observances. And that's what he got.

Before flying to America from Normandy after attending the 80th commemoration of D-Day last week, World War II veteran James O'Brien told his son Vincent that he'd like to come home to a parade.

Little did he know what was already being planned back in Burlington County.

"I was joking, but they took me seriously," said O'Brien, 99, as a flag-waving crowd of 150 family members, friends, neighbors, first responders, and fellow vets cheered his return to Pemberton Township on Saturday.

"The last week [I spent] touring Normandy and seeing so many crowds coming out and cheering and wishing us well, some with tears in their eyes," said the father of five, grandfather of 14, and great-grandfather of 24.

"And then I come home to this. This beats it all!

Organized in just a few days by a handful of volunteers, the welcome included a police escort, representatives of American Legion Eden-Stanley Post 294, an honor guard of American Legion Riders, members of the Pemberton High School JROTC, and remarks by Army Command Sgt. Major Travis L. Autry.

"I appreciate you for all you've done when you put that uniform on, because freedom is not free," Autry said.

"This is a gift from the kids ... and I want to say thank you so much for your service," she said.

O'Brien, who was born in Philadelphia, moved with his family when he was 4 years old to then-rural Pemberton Township. After graduating as senior class president of Pemberton Township High School, he was drafted into the Army in September 1943 and served in A company, 65th Armored Infantry Batallion, 20th Armored Division as a rifleman and ammunition handler.

He served in Europe, although not in Normandy.

He returned to the United States in August of 1945 and got married two weeks later. He and his wife, Sophia, raised five children: sons Michael, James, and Vincent, and daughters Joan Craft and Anne Poole.

"He's my number one favorite person in the world," said Missy Harner, O'Brien's granddaughter.

James established O'Brien & Sons Hardware in 1953, and the business is still going strong in the Browns Mills section of the township.

"It kind of makes you emotional because he has lived here all his life, and he loves Browns Mills," Michael O'Brien said during an interview last week. "The trip to Normandy has been amazing for him."

Customers at the store feel like part of the family, as well, said Denise Lang, a retired corrections officer, and her daughter Atisha, who were among the first people from the community to set up chairs on Four Mill Road across from the O'Brien homestead. Others nearby held handmade signs ("Welcome home n thank u," "You are a true hero") and gathered around the car that carried O'Brien home from Philadelphia International Airport.

His daughter-in-law Marlene O'Brien, who is married to Michael, did the driving. She said Vincent O'Brien suggested that his father apply for an American Airlines program that offered free round-trips for World War II veterans wanting to attend the 80th anniversary commemoration.

James O'Brien was one of about 70 who took the trip on American.

"We have to thank those who paved the way for us, and honor them," said Kevin James, commander of Post 294. "We need to keep that tradition going."

According to Marlene O'Brien, when we pulled up he said, "I really did get a parade."

"When we heard about it, we ran with it, and it became a big community event," said Hillary Vargas, one of he organizers.

"I'm just really happy that the community really pulled together to honor him, said Michelle Walker, another of the organizers.

A Thank You From Baggers and Brews

Sponsoring a Baggers and Brews Event

Thank You, Vincent!

Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Donation

Donating to the Exceptional Family Members and Hearts Apart Programs

Donating to the Lakewood Police Department

Santa Came Early for Our Veterans at Crystal Lake Healthcare

Donating to the 87th Force Support Squadron

Mansfield Township Recreation Girls Soccer Sponsorship

Thank You From American Legion Post 294

Shop Rite (Oakland, NJ) Donation to the Nam Knights MC

Operation Albatross - Memorial Day Fundraiser

Emotional Support Run for Vietnam Veteran

Educating The Youth

Supporting Arms 2 Artisans

Thank You From Rolling Thunder Chapter IV NJ

Operation Albatross - Clover Fundraiser

Coining WWII Veteran, Stephen 'Wally' Jamison on His 100th Birthday

Helping Hands

Nat "Suicide" Faronea Flag Memorial Dedication

Vets Helping Vets

Vietnam Veterans Gather at Barnegat Ceremony

From By Eric Englund
March 31, 2022

Nearly 300 people, most of them Vietnam veterans, braved very frigid conditions Tuesday afternoon for the Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration in Barnegat Township at the Fred Watts Gazebo Park.

"It's good to back," said Thy (pronounced Tee) Cavagnaro, event coordinator and master of ceremonies, noting that the event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID 19. "This day is all about you."

The groundwork for the tribute was laid in 2017, when President Donald Trump signed an act proclaiming March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day. The date was chosen because March 29, 1973, was the last day American troops left South Vietnam.

Cavagnaro does not have to read about the Vietnam War in the history books – she experienced it first hand. Her family fled Saigon on April 30, 1975, hours before Communist forces captured the South Vietnamese capital, and took refuge in the U.S. She was a little over a year old at the time.

"This is a thank -you for all those people who sponsored us, who clothed us, who fed us and educated us," she said. "And it is also a big thank-you to the veterans who helped keep the Communists away from our home in Vietnam, and you made sure we had a safe passage to your own country after we lost ours."

She said many of the soldiers were "barely adults."

"Many of you went through unspeakable situations," said Cavagnaro. "And then when you came home, you were gaslighted because you answered the call of duty."

Cavagnaro has stressed that youth in the community should play a key role in the commemoration, and this year's keynote speaker was 10-year-old Vincent Lorenzo. His late grandfather James Beninato was awarded three Purple Hearts during his four-year tour of Vietnam, and the youngster brought one of them with him.

"I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart," he said. "It was you veterans who were keeping us safe from harm."

During the holidays, Lorenzo has made Christmas cards to spread some joy to service members. He also made floral arrangements to honor local veterans.

"During Halloween, I always like to dress up as a soldier," he said.

The event also saw an Operation Babylift Reunion. Steve Hartmann, who was rescued from that mass evacuation in Vietnam, sang an original song he had written and composed for Vietnam veterans titled "You Are."

But before he sang, he was joined by retired Air Force Master Sgt. Rene Fougeray. The two shared a heartfelt and emotional embrace.

In addition, the Barnegat High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets provided the color guard and various support. Charlie Rollman from Boy Scout Troop 26 led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Russell Brackman Middle School chorus sang the national anthem.

The Barnegat High School marching band played an armed forces medley, inviting members of each branch of service to stand during the theme song. Dan McGrath, Barnegat High School band director, played Taps on his bugle.

The American flag flying at the event was once flown over the U.S. Capitol, and was brought courtesy of Congressman Andy Kim.

At the conclusion, all Vietnam veterans received commemorative lapel pins from the U.S. Department of Defense. They were presented by South Vietnamese veterans and members of the Vietnamese community.

Vietnam Veterans Day - A Busy Day For the Tri-Base Chapter

Motorcycle Group Donates $2,700 To Toms River Vest-A-Cop

New Jersey Captivating Memorial Day Tradition

May 31, 2021

In between the barbecues, beach visits and retail sales that have become an anticipated part of Memorial Day Weekend, a number of New Jerseyans observe the federal holiday with a visit to the first state-run veteran's cemetery.

Each year on the Friday before Memorial Day, the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs traditionally invites area scouts, to place flags on the grave markers at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Burlington County.

In May 2020, some local veterans' organizations stepped in to ensure the flag placement would not fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to secure roughly 50,000 flags in tribute to fallen military members at the site.

This year, as the state continues to slowly emerge from COVID protocols, more than 300 scouts participated in the tradition.

Among those who have shared photos of this year's memorial flags with New Jersey 101.5 were some members of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club, Tri-Base Chapter based out of Pemberton, as well as New Jersey residents, Rodger Jany and Christine James, whose visits to the site are a way of remembering relatives laid to rest there.

Each year for Memorial Day, scouts help place thousands of American flags alongside grave markers at BG WC Doyle Memorial in Burlington County. The first state-run veteran's cemetery provides many a chance to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday, particularly those visiting the final resting place of loved ones.

A number of New Jerseyans observe Memorial Day weekend with a visit to the first state-run veteran's cemetery, BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Burlington County.

Each year on the Friday before Memorial Day, the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs traditionally invites area scouts, both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to place flags on the grave markers at the cemetery, which spans 225 acres in Wrightstown and North Hanover Township.

Among those sharing photos of this year's memorial flags were some members of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club, Tri-Base Chapter based out of Pemberton.

The club is named for the three military bases in-state; many of its members recently rode to Washington D.C. to pay tribute at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Law Enforcement Memorial.