Morris County Honors 100-Year-Old WWII Veteran
As Veteran’s Day approaches, it’s always great when you hear of stories where our vets are honored. They served our country to protect our freedom and help others and I personally think they are such an inspiration to all.
How can you not be moved when you hear about Geral “Gerry” Gemian, a World War II vet who turned 100 years old this past summer? Just the other week he was honored by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners at a celebration organized by friends and fellow veterans at the Montville Memorial VFW Post 5481. Gerry was presented with a special Morris County “Resolution of Honor” that recognized both his 100th birthday this past August, but also his military service to the people of this great country.
Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo presented the recognition to Mr. Gemain and said “We need to thank you, Gerry. We need to thank you and your entire generation for the sacrifices you made in defense of our nation.” “On behalf of the County Board of Commissioners, I present you with this resolution.”
Mr. Gemian enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served in WWII as a combat radio operator, and Staff Sergeant Technician in 3rd Grade in the Central Pacific theater from 1942 to 1945 with the Joint Assault Signal Company. He was attached to the 7th, 27th, and 81st U.S. Army Divisions, as well as to the 1st, 2nd, and 4th U.S. Marine Divisions during his tours against Japanese forces, which included the Marshall Islands Campaign and the invasions of both the Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atoll Groups.
It was some of the bloodiest and deadliest episodes of the entire war, and Mr. Gemian’s service included landings in the Mariana Islands and Palau Islands during the “Island Hopping” campaign of Admiral Chester William Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Ocean Areas. But Mr. Gemian managed to survive without being wounded.
What’s interesting is that when a CBS News reporter asked Mr. Gemain this summer about his longevity and never being wounded, despite multiple battles, Mr. Gemian said: “One thing that always sustained me is: keep going, keep going. No matter what happens, or what the hell happened, I always managed to move somehow or another.”
Mr. Gemian’s words about “keep going” should serve as an inspiration to us all. Sometimes that’s all you can do is just keep going!
No matter your occupation or situation in life, I for one am inspired by Gerry’s words and feel compelled to adhere to his advice and just keep going no matter how hard things get!
We here at WDHA thank him for his service and wish him many more years of happiness and enjoyable life!