Three Gloucester Catholic Rams headed to West Point |courierpostonline.com
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
English: The "Mural Wing" of Washington Hall, the Cadet Mess Hall at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY during lunchtime. All 4000+ cadets dine together family style at the exact same time every day for breakfast and lunch. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
GLOUCESTER CITY — The funeral procession last month of James McNamee, a decorated World War II veteran, drove by the VFW Hall and then purposely passed Gloucester Catholic High School where “Big Jim” served as a janitor for the last 32 years.
About 700 students lined the street along the old red brick school building, standing still in reverent silence in honor of the 89-year-old Purple Heart recipient and infantry rifleman at the Normandy Invasion.
This touching tribute to the 5-foot-3 giant of a man, who spoke over the years in history classes, particularly warmed the spirit of three Gloucester
Catholic senior athletes. Brandon Wethman, Nick Marks, and Devin McCall all were recently accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Big Jim, right, in front of the War Memorial Monument in Gloucester City NJ
“It showed he was appreciated,” Wethman said.
“It was a moment,” Marks added. “My class was the first one out and I didn’t think the whole school would come out. To see everyone was a feeling of pride. I felt really proud.”
All three students said their decision to serve our country was reinforced seeing the support for “Big Jim” from their classmates.
by Kevin Callahan:
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