Grand Marshal
Rudolph L. Verdi
B
orn in Boonton in 1922, the son of James and Angelina Verdi and
the youngest of 8 siblings, Rudy remembers listening to the family
radio on December 7, 1941 and learning that his country was at war. A
year later, he began a long, erratic journey that would land him in the
South Pacific.
In the spring of 1943 he joined the 674th Bombardment Squadron
(the “Wolf Pack”); 417th Bombardment Group (part of the Army’s
Fifth Air Force). After receiving combat training with the Douglas A-20
“Havoc” light attack bombers, he arrived in New Guinea in late January
1944. Combat operations there were flown in support of ground forces,
striking airfields, shipping, enemy troop concentrations, oil and other
installations. Rudy recalls that the heat and humidity were so oppressive that things never dried out.
You’d put on wet clothes that had been hung to dry the night before.
Rudy served with the S-2 (Intelligence) Section, briefing the A-20 pilots for the
day’s missions. Upon their return, they would debrief the pilots for information
about the day’s action, enemy positions, troop movement, etc. Aerial photos were
analyzed. It was a continuing process, repeated for each mission, with intelligence
interpreted and employed to enhance future mission effectiveness.
The squadron moved to the Philippines in December 1944; enroute, the convoy
survived two harrowing Japanese air attacks. The 674th’s A-20’s (manned by a pilot
and 1 or 2 gunners) employed the devastating tactic of “skip bombing” in actions
that severely damaged Japanese shipping and supply strength and helped to clear
the way for the American invasion of Luzon and liberation of the Philippines. After
victory there, the squadron turned its attention to
enemy targets on Formosa and by August 1945 moved to Okinawa
and finally to Itami (Osaka), Japan. The 674th was inactivated and
Rudy’s military career ended on December 27, 1945.
Soon after returning home, former Wolf Pack Corporal, Rudy
Verdi, began a 40+ year career with the Veterans Administration. At
Seton Hall night school he earned a BA in Business Administration.
During his career with the VA, Rudy advocated on behalf of countless Veterans and their families
throughout the area counseling them on VA benefits eligibility and helping to process their claims.
Rudy was an active member of Boonton VFW Post 242, serving as an interim Post Commander
for a term. He was active in Mt. Carmel Parish both as usher and choir member. A former member
of barber shop quartets and choruses, he still loves to sing. If encouraged, Rudy might give you a
sample of the voice he was often told in his youth could rival Sinatra. He recently left his 92 year, lifelong Mechanic St. residence but still lives locally. He and his wonderful smile, sharp mind and quick
wit can be found wheeling through the halls of his new home where he has earned the unofficial but
undisputed title of the “Mayor of Merry Heart”.
We salute and thank you, Rudy, for your service to your Country and for all you are and all you
have meant to your fellow service men and women. ✪
2015 Mountain Lakes
MEMORIAL DAY
CEREMONIES
Our Speaker: Michael Pasquale is the founder Officers of the Courts Corp., which provides wounded service
members with free legal representation. While a partner at McCarter & English, Michael provided pro bono legal assistance
to hundreds of disabled veterans. He joins us today to speak about the sacrifices of these military people.
Monday, May 25th • Mountain Lakes, NJ
IN MEMORIAM
CEREMONY
Mountain Lakers who served and gave their lives for our Country
Presentation of Colors and “National Anthem”
Mountain Lakes Police Department and Erin Bender, MLHS Class of 2017
Welcome and Opening of Ceremony
Mayor Douglas McWilliams
Invocation
Father Daniel O’Mullane
“Amazing Grace”
Police Pipes & Drums of Morris County, NJ
Welcome and Opening of Ceremony
Introduction of Veterans
Mayor Douglas McWilliams
Introduction of Grand Marshal - Rudolph “Rudy” L. Verdi
Mayor Douglas McWilliams
“The Thunderer”
John Philip Sousa
Introduction of Speaker - Michael Pasquale
Introduction by Mark DiIonno
Joseph P. Bowden
Charlie E. Butts, Jr.
Frederick Castle
Gilbert Cole
William R. Fleming, Jr.
Gilbert H. Higgins, Jr.
Gilbert Jones
John V. Thiem
Thank you: Joao Goncalves and the Wildwood Band and Paul Campbell and the Briarcliff band for the musical
contributions. Marge Jackson for help with the wreaths and flowers, and to our Interpreter. Mountain Lakes Girl
Scout Troops and Boy Scout Troop 41 for your assistance. Those who donated their cars for the parade. Thanks to
Mark Prusina and the DPW. Parade route flags donated by Coldwell Banker Mountain Lakes Office.
Gilbert Cole
Class of ’39
Bill Hanes
Class of ’47
Quin Turkington
Class of ’41
Gilbert Higgins
Class of ’40
Quin Turkington
William T. Haines, Jr.
Robert L. Asmuth, Jr.
David Nash
Edward J. Smith, Jr.
Peter B. Hass
Closing Remarks
Mayor Douglas McWilliams
Placement of Flowers
Mountain Lakes Children and Families
Pete Haas
Class of ’74
Robeson Sherrerd
William M. Thompson
Benediction
Father Daniel O’Mullane
Bob Asmuth
Class of ’66
Edwin T. Sanders
Placing of the Memorial Wreaths & “TAPS”
Wreath Bearers: Mountain Lakes Girl Scouts • Bugler: Kyle Whittemore, Wildwood School
Flag Attendants: Chris Stitt and Aleksander Aasmaa, Boy Scout Troop 41
Janice D. Hunts Lifelong Community Service Award
John Grossmann
Jeff Smith
Class of ’62
David T. Powell
Thomas B. Stickney, Jr.
Community Awards Presentations
Citizen of the Year Award
Marnie Vyff
Dave Nash
Class of ’64
Howard B. Larlee
Lakers Currently Serving
Mayor Douglas McWilliams
“Patriotic Bits and Pieces”
Arr. Michael Story
Dick Fleming
Class of ’38
Boonton Township Vets who served and gave their lives for our Country
Walter Babbit
Walter P. Jackman, Jr.
Richard Paul Kelly
Archie J. Piscitello
Robie Soltes