The BERKELEY Times Vol. 29 - No. 23
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
November 25, 2023
Questions Linger Long After Vet’s Disappearance
Volunteers: No Veteran Walks Alone
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News
Photo by Chris Lundy
Pages 8-13
Walkers and some dogs gathered for a ruck to raise money for veterans.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 16
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Soldiers f ight together, but after the battle go their separate ways. That leads to loneliness as the veteran doesn’t have anyone around them who truly understands what they went through.
That’s why volunteer groups are trying to br idge t hat gap, and stop the reported 22 veteran suicides a day. And it’s why several veteran support nonprofits gathered for the Redondo Foundation’s ruck and fundraiser at Veterans
Park. Don Redondo, who star ted the 501(c)3, said he helps local vets who have PTSD or traumatic brain injury get away from their struggles for a little bit and bond with others who might be going through the same
Henry Verdon remains missing. By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – It’s been 10 years since a loved one saw Henry Edward Verdon, and his family still has a number of questions. He was last seen on July 3, 2014. A friend dropped him off at the (Redondo- See Page 4) Toms River bus station, said Suzanne Wold, his niece. She lives in Minnesota but contacted this newspaper to see if anyone has a hint as to his whereabouts. Verdon, known by the Grosse brought up the nickname “Bootsie,” is issue at a recent Town- an Army veteran who ship Council meeting. frequented veteran adHe noted how one ministration hospitals. example of how the He suffers from bipolar tow n cou ld help is disorder and left home with events like an without his medication. Easter egg hunt. Reg- He had no cell phone. ular education chilHe was last seen dren swarm the field wearing a black and (Committee - See Page 5) silver Harley Davidson thing. A g r o u p r e c e ntly came back f rom Moab, Utah. In national parks like this, a veteran can unplug and de-stress. “There’s no noise. They can really focus on themselves. They
Disabilities Advisory Committee Could Form
Photo courtesy Shanna Cermak Kids of all ages enjoyed the prom designed just for them earlier this year.
VETERAN &
FIRST RESPONDER
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By Chris Lundy BER K ELEY – I n an effort to make the township more inclusive, a volunteer group might be created made up of residents who are well versed on the challenges of people with disabilities. This Mayor’s Advi-
sor y Committee On Developmental Disabilit ies – if that’s the name that sticks – wou ld ser ve to help t he gover n i ng body make decisions on matters that they might not ordinarily be aware of. Councilman Thomas
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Photo courtesy Henry Verdon’s family jacket and blue jeans, she said. He is described as white with gray hair, blue eyes, about 5’8”, and roughly 180 lbs. “The VA hospitals have all been notified should he show up,” she said. “We will be going into his 10th year that he is missing and still nothing. We have been in contact with the detectives at the Berkeley Township Police Department and Henry’s brother has submitted DNA. My dad is 93 and would l i ke t o h ave s o m e kind of closure on his whereabouts.” The family is still wonder i ng if t here were cameras at the Toms River bus station that could have recorded him.
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