BY CHRISTINE VARNO

Staff Writer

OCEANPORT — With the ongoing conflict in Iraq, thousands of men and women continue to risk their lives in service to their country. For all but a handful, that service is largely anonymous, but for military personnel with a connection to the borough, at least one person in a position to do something about it wants to change that.

"We talk about the numbers of people who fight for our country," Mayor Maria Gatta said. "But [the people] are our neighbors and they have names."

Gatta said that on Memorial Day, she came up with a way for the borough to honor those who have fallen in service to the country, those who risked their lives in that service, and those who are serving now. The mayor is seeking to establish a Wall of Honor in the borough to "put names with faces to make a reality of the situation."

The memorial is meant to recognize the members of the armed forces of both the past and the present who are from the borough, or have family or friends here.

"This will acknowledge and thank those individuals who have roots in Oceanport, who have given their service," Gatta said.

She said that three borough residents have been sent to Iraq to fight this war, and this wall will allow the borough to see who is over there defending us.

Oceanport residents are asked to submit a photograph of the individual, in military uniform, whom they would like to remember, honor or support.

The photograph, along with the person’s name, where and when the person served or is serving, and the service person’s relationship with Oceanport, will be posted on the wall.

"Showing photos brings us to a personal level where we can understand their sacrifices," Gatta said.

The wall will stand on the borough hall grounds at 222 Monmouth Blvd., where everyone can see it, according to Gatta. She said she has not determined an exact location yet because she is unsure of how big the memorial will turn out to be.

"We want to highlight [those soldiers related to Oceanport] who have served our country," Gatta said. "These are our parents, children, siblings and friends."

Gatta said her goal is to have the wall completed by Veterans Day in November.