Belmar in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Breslin War Memorial

1941 - 1945

Photographed By R. C., November 13, 2010

1. Breslin War Memorial Marker Returned to Belmar, NJ Original Location

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

To the glory of god and to those who served fought and died that our flag may ever fly in honor and in peace. This shrine is reverently dedicated by Pat and Sandy Aug. 15, 1949

Erected 1949 by Pat and Sandy Breslin.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 40° 10.88′ N, 74° 1.778′ W. Marker is in Belmar, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Memorial is on Highway 35 near 9th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located on the Belmar 9th Avenue Pier. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belmar NJ 07715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Spirit of the American Doughboy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Korean - Vietnam - Persian Gulf Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); World War II Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Malta Shipwreck (approx. 0.9 miles away); Shark River Salt Works (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bradley Beach World War I Monument (approx. 1.7 miles away); Marconi American Wireless Company Tower

Breslin War Memorial Marker at New Location: 9th Ave Pier, Belmar, NJ image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C., November 13, 2010

2. Breslin War Memorial Marker at New Location: 9th Ave Pier, Belmar, NJ

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(approx. 1.7 miles away); Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belmar.

More about this memorial. Due to the upcoming closure of Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, this memorial was removed from its Ft. Monmouth location and returned to the Borough of Belmar, New Jersey. It has been relocated on the same pier area that was once occupied by Pat and Sandy.

Regarding Breslin War Memorial. Dedicated at Fort Monmouth on April 25, 1961, the stone monument memorializes those service members "who did not return" from war. The story of how the monument came to Fort Monmouth is below.

The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, two private citizens, Pat and Sandy Breslin, wrote Congress that they desired to volunteer their services and the facilities of their boating and fishing pier for use by members of the Armed Forces. There were no strings attached to the offer and men and women were welcome to enjoy the Breslin hospitality without charge.

For 16 years Pat and Sandy played host to countless members of the service. They provided food, fishing tackle, bait, and boats. This generous couple, by absorbing the expense of telephone calls, often encouraged these soldiers to call their families. Many of these young people were undergoing military training at Fort Monmouth.

In April 1957, the Breslins' lease was not renewed. This was a crushing blow to these two kind people, but they were most concerned with the War Memorial they had erected in honor of those who

Breslin War Memorial Marker image. Click for full size.

October 5, 2007

3. Breslin War Memorial Marker

In Fort Monmouth, New Jersey before being returned to it original location.

served but did not return. With so many problems confronting them at the time, they accepted a local offer to store the monument without charge. In Sept 1960, Pat and Sandy wrote to President Eisenhower about their soldiers' memorial. The President notified the Department of Defense, who brought the matter to the attention of the Army.

It was at this point that Major General William D. Hamlin, Commanding General, Fort Monmouth, NJ, was asked if he would agree to have the memorial placed at Fort Monmouth. General Hamlin promptly agreed to do so, providing Pat and Sandy approved. They did.

These individuals recieved thousands of letters and souvenirs from service men and women from all over the world. They visited with the President in 1953, and recieved personal medals from Cardinal Spellman in 1954. They also were inserted in the Congressional Record in recognition of their efforts to better the morale of servicemen.

View of Recreation Facility from Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C.

4. View of Recreation Facility from Marker

The marker was in the "backyard" of this building at Ft. Monmouth. Many thousands of soldiers came here to dance or have a good time while they were assigned to Ft. Monmouth.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2008, by Chrissie Tate Reilly of Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,539 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on November 15, 2010, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2010, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. 3. submitted on April 8, 2008, by Chrissie Tate Reilly of Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. 4. submitted on April 8, 2008, by R. C. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.