Author: Mackensie Alvarez

North Bergen Remembers CPL Robert Samuel Allen

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

CPL Robert Samuel Allen

Second Indochina War, Vietnam

Robert Samuel Allen was born on August 14, 1947. His home of record is North Bergen, NJ. He had one sister, Linda and two brothers, George and David (both Army veterans).

He graduated from high school in 1966 and played right field for the baseball team. He was known as quite a good athlete. Allen entered the United States Army and attained the rank of Corporal (CPL). He served with the 1st Battalion (Mechanized) 50th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. There is a Little League Field on 76th Street, West of JFK Boulevard in North Bergen named in his honor.

North Bergen Remembers CPL Michael J. Brellenthin

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

CPL Michael J. Brellenthin

Second Indochina War, Vietnam

Michael J. Brellenthin was born on December 21, 1947. His home of record is North Bergen, NJ. His parents, Clara and Ed, had five children, three daughters and two sons. Michael graduated from North Bergen High School in 1965. Some of his hobbies included fishing, hunting and baseball. He was a talented artist and planned on becoming an architect. He entered the US Marine Corps in May 1967, attaining the rank of Corporal (CPL) and was sent to Vietnam.

On February 25, 1968, after his patrol was ambushed, Brellenthin was reported missing in action while following a patrol near Khe Sahn. he left behind a wife, Ruth, whom he had married two weeks prior to leaving for Vietnam.

Six months later, Michael was one of nine men reclassified as “killed in action” but only four caskets were sent home for interment. Five remain unaccounted for.

There is some controversy regarding his status. The government declared him killed in action, but his family and others believe he is still missing in action.

Brellenthin was buried on September 10, 1968 in the Jefferson Barracks Memorial Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. Besides his wife Ruth, he left behind his parents and four siblings, Edward, Ellen, Diane and Barbara Milazzo.

Five years later, one of the “buried” men was released by the Vietnamese as a prisoner of war. In August 1978, ten years after incident, the Department of Navy wrote, “there was a chance that Michael did survive.” From then until now, the government has added nothing.

North Bergen Remembers PFC John "Jackie" Hayden West

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

PFC John “Jackie” Hayden West

Second Indochina War, Vietnam

John Hayden West was born on November 29, 1948, in Jersey City, NJ, to Elizabeth and James West. His home of record is North Bergen, NJ. He had two brothers and one sister. To his friends and family, he was known as “Jackie”. Jackie graduated from North Bergen High School in 1965. He loved all sports, played football for 4 years, and was the victory game ball winner against St. Joseph’s High School. In addition to football, he wrestled for two years, played basketball for one year and belonged to the Key Club. Each year, Scholarship Awards are given to students in memory of Jackie. The Pop Warner football league gives out two trophies in his memory, the Most Valuable Player Trophy and Outstanding Back.

Following is a quote from The Pop Warner Awards Dinner Program:

Jackie West, who played on the first Pop Warner team, who gave us quite a few thrills at Capsaw Lake in one of our first games, went on to North Bergen High School to play football, baseball and basketball and made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefield in Vietnam.

Jackie’s ambition was to be an IBM programmer when he was discharged.

West served in the US Army and attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).

Jackie believed that if Americans were to remain free then all Americans had to do their share and he was doing his. His wife said that Jackie’s morale was high until his last letter. She received it the day before he was killed. He wrote, “We are busy, things are hectic and we were out on a long mission in the jungle. We climbed up and down mountains.” The letter continued, “Our mission captured 82 Vietcong and next to their camp, we found a camp of South Vietnamese who said they were shooting at us accidentally. Who the hell are we fighting here anyway?” In another letter, the young soldier said the South Vietnamese treated the Americans well and gave them bananas and other fruits.

West was killed in action on March 7, 1969, while under hostile fire in Kontum Province Republic of Vietnam.

West was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. In addition, he had previously received qualification badges for the Expert-Machine Gun Medal, the Expert-Automatic Rifle Medal, the Expert-Rifle and the Expert-Pistol Medals.

Jackie was very proud when his nephew, Patrick, was born in 1964. When Jackie married Linda Barsumian on October 6, 1968, Patrick acted as the ring bearer. Jackie was married only six short months before he was killed in action. However, by a stroke of good fortune and a chance meeting at Jackie’s gravesite, Jackie’s widow, Linda, was reunited with the West family in 2003, after 29 years. She has become close with the family again. Jackie’s medals and awards are now proudly displayed in his nephew Patrick’s house.

North Bergen Remembers PFC John “Jackie” Hayden West

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

PFC John “Jackie” Hayden West

Second Indochina War, Vietnam

John Hayden West was born on November 29, 1948, in Jersey City, NJ, to Elizabeth and James West. His home of record is North Bergen, NJ. He had two brothers and one sister. To his friends and family, he was known as “Jackie”. Jackie graduated from North Bergen High School in 1965. He loved all sports, played football for 4 years, and was the victory game ball winner against St. Joseph’s High School. In addition to football, he wrestled for two years, played basketball for one year and belonged to the Key Club. Each year, Scholarship Awards are given to students in memory of Jackie. The Pop Warner football league gives out two trophies in his memory, the Most Valuable Player Trophy and Outstanding Back.

Following is a quote from The Pop Warner Awards Dinner Program:

Jackie West, who played on the first Pop Warner team, who gave us quite a few thrills at Capsaw Lake in one of our first games, went on to North Bergen High School to play football, baseball and basketball and made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefield in Vietnam.

Jackie’s ambition was to be an IBM programmer when he was discharged.

West served in the US Army and attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).

Jackie believed that if Americans were to remain free then all Americans had to do their share and he was doing his. His wife said that Jackie’s morale was high until his last letter. She received it the day before he was killed. He wrote, “We are busy, things are hectic and we were out on a long mission in the jungle. We climbed up and down mountains.” The letter continued, “Our mission captured 82 Vietcong and next to their camp, we found a camp of South Vietnamese who said they were shooting at us accidentally. Who the hell are we fighting here anyway?” In another letter, the young soldier said the South Vietnamese treated the Americans well and gave them bananas and other fruits.

West was killed in action on March 7, 1969, while under hostile fire in Kontum Province Republic of Vietnam.

West was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. In addition, he had previously received qualification badges for the Expert-Machine Gun Medal, the Expert-Automatic Rifle Medal, the Expert-Rifle and the Expert-Pistol Medals.

Jackie was very proud when his nephew, Patrick, was born in 1964. When Jackie married Linda Barsumian on October 6, 1968, Patrick acted as the ring bearer. Jackie was married only six short months before he was killed in action. However, by a stroke of good fortune and a chance meeting at Jackie’s gravesite, Jackie’s widow, Linda, was reunited with the West family in 2003, after 29 years. She has become close with the family again. Jackie’s medals and awards are now proudly displayed in his nephew Patrick’s house.

North Bergen Remembers Sgt. Marcos Gorra

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Sgt. Marcos Gorra

Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan

Army Sgt Gorra was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a paratrooper. He died of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations.

At the age of 7, Marcos family immigrated to the United States from Cuba. His family ended up settling in North Bergen, New Jersey where he graduated in 2006 from North Bergen High School. While in high school, Marcos played football and baseball during his freshman and sophomore years but it was as a junior that he began giving serious consideration about joining the Army.

In August 2006, he fulfilled that dream. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan and was due to leave the military in approximately eight months. Marcos had a great sense of humor and love for his family. He wore his feelings on his skin – across his chest was a tattoo entitled “Follow Your Bliss” and tattoos of an American flag and eagle on his arm proclaimed his patriotism to this country. He had dual citizenship and also had a tattoo of a Cuban flag. Marcos had made plans to become a New Jersey State Trooper when he left the military.

North Bergen Youth Football Registration to Begin

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Starting June 1st through June 10th boys ages 7 to 14 years old are invited to football early registration.

Registration is available from Monday to Friday, 2 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at 6300 Meadowview Avenue.

Residents are required to bring a passport picture, proof of residency, a birth certificate/passport, and $35 in cash, check, or money order.

North Bergen Giants went undefeated last year.