Police Officers from the Wall Township Police Department along with Wall PBA Local 234 accomplished an unprecedented mission on November 11, 2018, dedicating a 9 foot Bronze Memorial of local WWII Hero Harry J. “Rocky” Rockafeller. Please visit www.rockafellermemorial.com to learn about how this once in a life time story began.
As a result of the overwhelming success of the Wall PBA fundraising campaign to complete this memorial, they were able to support Veterans locally and around the country. Wall Township Police Officer Mike Malone made a promise to a dying American Hero in the summer of 2017 that he would not be forgotten, and now through this story, Rocky’s legacy of heroism, service and leadership will live on to help other Warriors like him.
The Wall PBA is donating $50,000 to support Veterans both locally and nationally. Each Charity is unique in their mission and the Wall PBA is proud to help touch the lives of our heroes from across the country. The donations and charities are as follows:
- $10,000 donation made this week to the Gary Sinise Soaring Valor Program in which WWII Veterans from around the Nation are flown to New Orleans to visit the National WWII Museum. These Veterans will be escorted through the museum by local High School students. A very important tribute to these members of the Greatest Generation and for our future Generations to learn about the sacrifice made during WWII. https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/soaring-valor/
- $10,000 donation made this week to Patton Veterans Project founded by Benjamin Patton, the Grandson of General George S. Patton. Our friend Rocky served under General Patton in the famed 4thArmored Division. Patton Veterans Project assists our Veterans suffering from PTSD. https://pattonveteransproject.org/
- $10,000 donation made to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation made on Wednesday, January 9th 2019 at Wall Twp Police Headquarters. This donation will be used for a Smart Home being built in Howell Township, N.J. for double amputee Marine Corporal Scott Nokes. Mr. Nokes and representative, Kathy Cunningham of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, were present for the donation check presentation. https://tunnel2towers.org/
- $10,000 donation made this week to the Best Defense Foundation. This charity brings WWII Veterans back to Europe and the Pacific in what is known as a “Battle Field Return”. Places like Normandy – the DDAY landings, Belgium- the Battle of the Bulge, and Iwo Jima. The Wall PBA will help send DDAY Veterans to the 75th Anniversary of DDAY this June 6th 2019. https://www.bestdefensefoundation.org/battlefield-return/
- $10,000 donation to the Paws4Vets Organization at the annual Paws4Vets Gala – Crystal Point Yacht Club Saturday March 9th 2019 at 6:30 p.m. With this donation the Wall PBA will be naming 4 Service Dogs- “Rocky” in honor of our friend. These individual dogs will then by placed with 4 different Veterans suffering from both visible and non-visible wounds. https://paws4people.org/our-programs/paws4vets-placement-program/
The Wall Township Police Department is very proud of the efforts and accomplishments of the Wall Township Police Officers and the Wall PBA in their fundraising campaign to support and honor veterans both locally and nationally. This story is a fine example of how they go above and beyond to make a positive impact on our community and now our entire Country.
