<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><html  lang="en-US">
<head id="Head"><meta id="MetaDescription" name="DESCRIPTION" /><meta id="MetaKeywords" name="KEYWORDS" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" /><title>
	Active-duty Military, Veterans and Students Pay Tribute to Gold Star Families during Somerset Community Event
</title><link id="css3605" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/module.css" /><link id="css5184" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/desktopmodules/ArticleCS/styles/NavyUnit/style.css" /></head>
<body>
    <main>
    <div>
    <div class="adetail print" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/NewsArticle">
    <img alt="U.S. Navy Logo" class="print-logo" src="/Portals/_default/Skins/NavyTheme2/Resources/img/OfficialNavyLogoInverted.svg">
    <div class="container">
        <div class="body-section">
            <h1>Active-duty Military, Veterans and Students Pay Tribute to Gold Star Families during Somerset Community Event</h1>

            <div class="body-text">
                
                    <img alt="Active-duty Military, Veterans and Students Pay Tribute to Gold Star Families during Somerset Community Event" class="featured-image-print" src="https://media.defense.gov/2024/May/29/2003474104/600/400/0/240523-N-PN306-1001.JPG" />
                
                


<!--image-->



<div class="media-inline media-inline-medium media-inline-left  " style="max-width:600px">
    
    
    
    <a href="#pop8169186" class="popup" data-width="1460" data-height="974">
        <div class="image-wrapper">
            <div class="overlay"></div>
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2024/May/29/2003474104/600/400/0/240523-N-PN306-1001.JPG" alt="Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, commander, Task Group 80, and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces served as one of the military guest speakers who honored the sacrifices of Gold Star families." class="img-responsive" />
        </div>
    </a>
    
    
    
        
        
        
        <div class="minfo">
            
            
            <span class="caption">
                SOMERSET, New Jersey (May 23, 2024) More than 200 veterans, active-duty service members supporting Fleet Week New York, civilians, and Gold Star families attended a patriotic “Proud to be an American Day” event in Somerset. Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, commander, Task Group 80, and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces served as one of the military guest speakers who honored the sacrifices of Gold Star families. Fleet Week New York is a time-honored sea service celebration that allows citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state region to witness today’s maritime capabilities first-hand. The 2024 celebration will host nearly 3,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. (U.S. Navy photo by Jennifer Cragg)
            </span>
            
        </div>
        
        
    
    
</div>


<!--popup-->

<div style="display:none">
    
    <div class="media-inline-popup" id="pop8169186">
        <div class="media-inline-img-container"><img src="https://media.defense.gov/2024/May/29/2003474104/1460/1280/0/240523-N-PN306-1001.JPG" alt="Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, commander, Task Group 80, and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces served as one of the military guest speakers who honored the sacrifices of Gold Star families." class="img-responsive" /></div>
        <div class="info">
            <span class="title">
                240523-N-PN306-1001
            </span>
            <div class="caption" style="max-width:1460px">
                SOMERSET, New Jersey (May 23, 2024) More than 200 veterans, active-duty service members supporting Fleet Week New York, civilians, and Gold Star families attended a patriotic “Proud to be an American Day” event in Somerset. Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, commander, Task Group 80, and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces served as one of the military guest speakers who honored the sacrifices of Gold Star families. Fleet Week New York is a time-honored sea service celebration that allows citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state region to witness today’s maritime capabilities first-hand. The 2024 celebration will host nearly 3,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. (U.S. Navy photo by Jennifer Cragg)
            </div>

            <div class="bottom">

                <div class="social">
                    <span class="subhead">SHARE IMAGE:</span>
                    <div class="a2a_kit a2a_default_style social-inner" data-a2a-url="https://www.usff.navy.mil/Press-Room/Photo-Gallery/igphoto/2003474104/" data-a2a-title="240523-N-PN306-1001" data-a2a-media="https://media.defense.gov/2024/May/29/2003474104/1460/1280/0/240523-N-PN306-1001.JPG" data-page-url="https://www.usff.navy.mil/Press-Room/News-Stories/Article/3789565/active-duty-military-veterans-and-students-pay-tribute-to-gold-star-families-du/">
                        <a class="a2a_button_facebook social-link" aria-label="Share on Facebook">
                            <span class="fa fa-facebook"></span>
                        </a>
                        <a class="a2a_button_x social-link" aria-label="Share on X">
                            <span class="fa-brands fa-x-twitter"></span>
                        </a>
                        <a class="a2a_button_email social-link" aria-label="Share by emailing content">
                            <span class="fa fa-envelope"></span>
                        </a>
                    </div>
                    <script type="text/javascript" defer src="https://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js"></script>
                </div>

                <div class="action">
                    <div class="action-item download-link">
                        <div style="background-image: url(/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Images/media_download.png)" class="icon"></div>
                        <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2024/May/29/2003474104/-1/-1/0/240523-N-PN306-1001.JPG" title="240523-N-PN306-1001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="action-frame article-link">
                            <span>Download Image</span>
                        </a>
                    </div>
                    <div class="action-item detail-link">
                        <div style="background-image: url(/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Images/media_link.png)" class="icon"></div>
                        <a href="https://www.usff.navy.mil/Press-Room/Photo-Gallery/igphoto/2003474104/" title="240523-N-PN306-1001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="action-frame article-link">
                            <span>Image Details</span>
                        </a>
                    </div>
                    
                    <div class="action-item photographer">
                        <div style="background-image: url(/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Images/media_photographer.png)" class="icon"></div>
                        <div class="action-item action-frame">
                            <span>Photo By: Jennifer Cragg</span>
                        </div>
                    </div>
                    
                    <div class="action-item virin">
                        <div style="background-image: url(/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Images/media_info.png)" class="icon"></div>
                        <div class="action-item action-frame">
                            <span>VIRIN: 240523-N-PN306-1001</span>
                        </div>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
    
    
</div>













<style>
    #cboxClose {
        position: absolute;
        top: 5px;
        right: 5px;
        display: block;
        background: url(/desktopmodules/articlecs/images/media_popup_close.png) no-repeat top center;
        width: 40px;
        height: 40px;
        text-indent: -9999px;
    }

        #cboxClose:hover {
            background-position: bottom center;
        }

    .me-plugin {
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
    }
</style>
<script type="text/javascript">

    var gih = 0;
    var giw = 0;
    var pup;
    var g_isDynamic = false;

    function popupResize(ibox, w, h, doResize) {
        if ($(ibox).hasClass('dgov2popup-info')) {
            // This block is included once, so is shared by all media tokens.
            // this block is how we execute the special resize for dgov2's slideshow popup
            dgov2slideshowPopupResize(ibox, w, h, doResize);
            return;
        }

        if (!g_isDynamic)
            return;

        var isMobile = window.matchMedia('(max-width: 1200px)').matches;

        if (isMobile) {
            $.colorbox.resize({ width: "100%", height: "100%" });
            $(ibox).find(".img-responsive").width('100%');
            $(ibox).find(".img-responsive").height('auto');

            $(ibox).find(".info").css('height', 'auto');
            return;
        }

        var iw = w;
        var ih = h;
        var ww = $(window).width();
        var wh = $(window).height();
        var hextra = 40;
        var wextra = 360;
        var hborder = 120;
        var wborder = 120;
        var maxw = ww - wextra - wborder;
        var maxh = wh - hextra - hborder;
        var ratio = Math.min(maxw / iw, maxh / ih);

        iw = Math.floor(iw * ratio); // use floor to avoid overflow scrollbar
        ih = Math.floor(ih * ratio);

        //        console.log(iw + " " + ih + " --- " + (iw + wextra) + " " + (ih + hextra))

        $(ibox).find(".img-responsive").width(iw);
        $(ibox).find(".img-responsive").height(ih);

        $(ibox).find(".info").height(ih);

        if (doResize)
            $.colorbox.resize({ width: iw + wextra, height: ih + hextra });
    }

    $(window).resize(function () {
        if (g_isDynamic && pup !== undefined)
            popupResize(pup, giw, gih, true);
    });

    $(window).load(function () {
            $(".popup").click(function () {
                giw = $(this).data('width');
                gih = $(this).data('height');
                pup = $($(this).attr('href'));
                g_isDynamic = $(this).data('dynamic') === 1 ? true : false;

                popupResize(pup, giw, gih, false);

                var w = "768px";
                var isMobile = $(window).width() < 768 ? true : false;
                w = "auto";
                if (isMobile)
                    w = "100%";

                const isDgov2Slideshow = $(this).attr("data-isdgov2slideshow") != undefined;
                const isDGOV2 = false;
                const slideNumber = parseInt($(this).attr('data-slide-number'));
                const slideIndex = slideNumber - 1;
                //console.log("slideNumber for popup", slideNumber)
                const popupThis = this;
                $(this).colorbox({
                    className: 'inline-popup', fixed: true, transition: "none", opacity: .9, inline: true, width: w, height: 'auto', maxWidth:"80%", maxHeight:"100%", close: isDgov2Slideshow || isDGOV2 ? "<i class='fas fa-times' />" : "X", onClosed: function () {
                    },
                    onComplete: function () {
                        var popupHeight = jQuery(this.href.substring(this.href.lastIndexOf("#"))).outerHeight(true);
                        if (jQuery("#colorbox").height() < popupHeight) {
                            jQuery("#colorbox").height(popupHeight);
                        }
                        if (g_isDynamic) {
                            if (!isMobile) {
                                bodyScrollLock.disableBodyScroll(this);
                            }
                        }
                   
                        // for popup having data-isdgov2slideshow attr (see above)
                        if (isDgov2Slideshow) {
                            const popSelector = '#dgov2popup-target-3789565';
                            const ssSelector = '#dgov2slideshowId-3789565';
                            dgov2slideshowPopupInit({
                                numSlides: 0,
                            startingSlideIndex: slideIndex,
                                popupSelector: popSelector,
                                slideshowSelector: ssSelector,
                                slideshowMediaId: 3789565,
                        });
                giw = $(popupThis).data('width');
                gih = $(popupThis).data('height');
                pup = $($(popupThis).attr('href'));
                popupResize(pup, giw, gih, true);
            }
            $(window).resize();
        },
        onClosed: function () {
        pup = undefined;
        if (g_isDynamic)
            bodyScrollLock.enableBodyScroll(this);

        if (isDgov2Slideshow) {
            const popSelector = '#dgov2popup-target-3789565';
            const ssSelector = '#dgov2slideshowId-3789565';
            dgov2slideshowPopupDestroy({
                popupSelector: popSelector,
                slideshowSelector: ssSelector,
            });
        }
    }
    });

    });

    
    $(".popup-slideshow").colorbox({
        inline: true,
        onComplete: function () {
            SlideshowInit();
            $.colorbox.resize();
            // stop scrollbar from flashing
            $("#cboxLoadedContent").css("overflow", "");
            $("#cboxLoadedContent").css("overflow-y", "hidden");
        },
        onClosed: function () {
            $('.slideshow-gallery').trigger('slideTo', 0);
        }
    });
    
    });
</script>






SOMERSET, N.J. - More than 200 veterans, active-duty service members, civilians and Gold Star families attended a patriotic “Proud to be an American Day” event hosted by the Thomas J. Kavanaugh Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 and Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, May 23.<br />
<br />
Navy and Marine Corps Sailors participating in Fleet Week New York (FWNY) attended the event. Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, commander, Task Force 80, and deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, served as one of the guest speakers to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Gold Star families. During his remarks, Gumbleton honored the Gold Star families in attendance, as well as recognized the service of veterans. He took time to inspire the next generation in a call to service.<br />
<br />
“We should all reflect that service is not an obligation, it’s a choice, so, it is important to think that of all of the choices that you have in this modern life, are you going to do something that is bigger than yourself,” Gumbleton said, as he encouraged the youth in attendance to find pathways to contribute to society.<br />
<br />
During the event, two Gold Star family members shared stories of their loved ones who died in service to our nation to include U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Ronald Kubik and U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Dalton Beals.<br />
<br />
U.S. Army Veteran Ed Graf, history teacher and coordinator of the annual “Proud to be an American Day” appreciated the dedication from civilian, military and education stakeholders who came together to support and honor Gold Star families.<br />
<br />
“The presence of Vice Adm. Gumbleton certainly added so much to our ‘Proud to be an American Day’ ceremony,” Graf said. “He was not only a great speaker, but an inspiration to the students and comforter to the Gold Star families.”<br />
<br />
Graf added that the yearly event is a day set aside to teach students about how to honor the Gold Star families and the importance of service to one’s country.<br />
<br />
Static displays were available for touring at the event in Somerset to include the Nimitz Virtual Reality Trailer and a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y helicopter.<br />
<br />
Now in its 36th year, FWNY is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and witness the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. Nearly 2,300 U.S. service members will participate in the festivities this year.
            </div>
            
        </div>
    </div>
</div>
<script>
    window.print();
</script>
    </div>
    </main>
</body>
</html>