Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Thank You To The 'Angel from Summit '

Danielle Olesnyckyj wants to thank the Summit resident who made it possible for her to receive a Christmas gift from her husband in Afghanistan.

To the Editor: The following happened to me and my husband this Christmas and I'd like my sincerest thanks to reach this person. My husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan.  Since he wasn't going to be here for Christmas, he wanted to be able to purchase a gift for me with a call from Afghanistan so I would have something to open.  I know how difficult calls are from there, but I told him, anyway, about a bag I'd see in Lord Ivy in downtown Summit.  I told him not to worry about it, but he was adamant that he'd like to call.  I forgot about with the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  When I received the bag, you can imagine my surprise at his pulling it off and being able to get through to the store.  That alone left me appreciative, …

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Local Navy SEAL Killed in Action

Funeral arrangements have been made for Matthew Kantor, a Gillette serviceman, who was killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 1, 2012.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Kantor, 22, was killed in Afghanistan Nov. 1. Kantor, a Navy SEAL, died from a gunshot wound, according to the Department of Defence. Kantor was from Gillette, NJ. His parents, Ken and Mary Jane Kantor, are the owners of Kidding Around Childrenswear in New Providence. He was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit in Virginia Beach, VA. Capt. Robert Smith, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group Two, told the Navy Times: "[Kantor] has paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and shipmates during this very difficult time." Visitation will be held at the Valley Memorial Funeral Home, Thursday, Nov. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. …

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Video: Procession for Union County Marine Killed in Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan

Residents and schoolchildren waving flags spanned Wood Avenue to St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia.

In an awesome display of patriotism, hundreds of residents lined the 1.5 mile final stretch in Marine Corporal Kevin Reinhard's funeral procession from St. Agnes Church in Clark to St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia. Despite the bitter 30 degree weather, schoolchildren came out from their classrooms and residents from their homes to line Inman Ave and pay respect to the fallen soldier. As the long line of cars drove past, the crowds stood still and silent, most with right hands over their hearts or in a firm salute and flags in their left. Reinhard, 25, was among six who died last week in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. He was a lifelong Colonia resident and had almost completed his second tour of duty when he was killed. "I want to say…

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