Community Corner
Retired General Matz to Deliver Keynote Speech During County's Memorial Day Celebration
William M. Matz Jr. served in Korea and Vietnam.
A highly decorated U.S. Army veteran and former Executive Secretary to the U.S. Secretary of Defense is scheduled to give the keynote address during Atlantic County's Memorial Day celebration, the county announced Tuesday afternoon, May 22.
William M. Matz Jr. served in the army for 12 years, and spent time in Korea and Vietnam, as well as on the Pacific Fleet in Panama. He will deliver the keynote speech during the county's 28th annual celebration this Friday, May 25 at the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery located in the county park, Route 50, Estell Manor, 2 p.m.
“Our Veterans Memorial program is a tradition in Atlantic County that we are proud to honor," County Executive Dennis Levinson said in a release. "It is a heartfelt tribute to our military heroes, so many of whom sacrificed their lives for freedom and to protect our country. It is also our honor to welcome Major General William Matz who has had an illustrious military career that has taken him around the globe.”
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During his service, Matz earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge, the county said.
Matz graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Course, the Airborne and Ranger Courses, the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College, and has a Bachelor's Degree from Gettysburg College. He earned his Master's Degree at the University of San Diego.
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On Wednesday, May 23, ahead of Friday's ceremony, several local boy and girl scouts will place American flags at approximately 3,000 gravesites in the Veterans Cemetery.
Scouts who participate in this act for two of three events this year earn the Atlantic County Patriotism patch in recognition of their service to veterans. Those events include Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans Day. On Friday, the first 28 patches will be presented to scouts who have performed this service during the past year.
According to the county, there are approximately 14,200 veterans residing in Atlantic County. More than 3,700 veterans and their spouses are interred at the Veterans Cemetery, and nearly 3,000 have applied for internment, the county said.
