he said, was anything but honest in the run-up to Nov Things got so bad between the one-time allies Fife said even if his opponent had called him to congratulate him on his victory — he didn’t, by the way — he wouldn’t have accepted his phone call. “By not stooping to the other campaign’s level with all the charges and counter- charges (we won big),” Fife said. “And all the nasty names they called us, all that stuff, we stuck to the facts, talked about his suspension from his job, which he denied a few times, all over the place, and that’s how we did it — we just told the truth.” The aforementioned suspension revolves around Millan’s job in Hudson County. A memo from his superiors in 2018 indicated he was suspended form work

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Opinion

Ceremony honors Kearny’s veterans

Machado named Vet of the Year

By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

kc@theobserver.com

Nearly 100 residents, dignitaries and, most importantly, those who serve or who have served, were on hand for Kearny’s annual Veterans Day ceremony at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

Also on hand was Michael Machado, who was named Kearny’s Veteran of the Year. Machado served in the U.S. Navy from 1988 to 1992, stationed mostly in Newport, Rhode Island.

Machado was on board the USS Trippe in 1989, when he was just 19, when it collided with an oil tanker nearly 150 miles off the North Carolina coast. Tragedy was averted that day, but were it not for quick thinking, many lives could have lost.

“There were a lot of 19-year-olds who became men immediately that day and who grew up very fast,” Machado said reflecting on the fateful day.

Machado estimates his ship and the one it collided with were traveling at around 15 knots.

“You don’t just turn a ship on a dime, either,” Machado said. “By the time the captain realized what was happening, it was too late, the collision alarms sounded.”

This all happened the same day a massive explosion killed 47 at sea, the largest single military casualty in peacetime to that point.

The ceremony included readings, speeches and re-enactments. Despite menacing skies, the weather cooperated.

PBA, FMBA, CS-11 & THE OBSERVER’S THANKSGIVING FOOD & TURKEY DRIVE

Kearny PBA No. 21, FMBA 18/218, CS-11 and The Observer are teaming up in 2022 to collect turkeys and all the trimmings for Thanksgiving to donate to a local food pantry. Collection is underway for thanksgiving. (excess food collected will be distributed at christmas). Items most needed include: Stovetop stuFFING, Cranberry sauce, Canned sweet potatoes, Gravy (canned), Potatoes - instant, Dessert mixes (cake, brownies, cookie mix, icing). Tuna, Mac & cheese boxes, Pasta, Peanut butter, Cereal (kid-friendLY) cereal. WE ALREADY HAVE A SUPLUS OF CANNED SOUPS & VEGGIES. Dropoff locations and times are listed below. And we thank each and every donor sincerely and gratefully for your generosity. Happy thanksgiving, one and all!

DROPOFF LOCATIONS:

n KFD HQ - 109 Midland Ave. n KPD HQ - 237 Laurel Ave. n DPW Garage - 357 Bergen Ave. n The Observer - 39 Seeley Ave.

Photos by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.

From the top, Kearny’s Veteran of the Year, Michael Machado, second from right, with his in-laws, Denise & Jerry FIceto and wife, Alyssa. Len Twist annually dresses as a World War I Doughboy. Here he is seen shooting off his rifle as part of the ceremony. Then, Mayor Alberto G. Santos speaks of the importance of caring for all veterans, especially in light of the care they often give by serving in the United States Armed Forces. Lastly, the ceremony begins each year with a patriotic reading.