By Joe Bayona

Rocky DeNardo on the corner of Fayette and Convery
*Photo by Joe Bayona

PERTH AMBOY – Every year for the last 12 years, on September 11th, there are memorial services all over the country commemorating the events of that black day in the fall of 2001. Some are well known such as the services in New York, The Pentagon, and Shanks Ville PA. However there is one Memorial that is not so well known.

Since 2002, on Sept. 11th, Rocky DeNardo has stood on the corner of Fayette St. and Convery Blvd. in Perth Amboy between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:30 am, holding an American flag in his own private memorial to 911. In twelve years he has only missed one year, in 2005, due to inclement weather.

Rocky moved to Perth Amboy from Laurence Harbor in 1953. He spent eight years in the Marine Corps and is by all respects a “Patriot”. When I asked him why he was doing this, he replied, “I support all things American”

Mr. DeNardo married his wife of 53 years, Louise, (who works for the City in the Legal Dept.), in 1960, while he was in the Marine Corps. Together they raised two children, Marylou and John Mick.

While in the Marines Rocky was, and still is, a boxer. He spent two years on the Marine boxing team. Although he doesn’t compete any longer at 74 years old, he still stays in shape by riding his bike 10 miles a day and working out on the “heavy bag”.

Helping the community by teaching the kids in his neighbor to box and the importance of physical fitness is another thing that Rocky does. He’s been doing it for years and is very proud of it. “It keeps them off the street and out of trouble”, he said.

As we were standing on the corner a number of people blew their horns in support as they drove by. Rocky would wave back in acknowledgement. At one point, a fire truck even stopped by to give him a cold bottle of water.

Mr. DeNardo expressed his surprise that someone from The Amboy Guardian, or anyone else for that fact, came to talk to him, “I’ve been here twelve years an it seemed like no one took an interest in what I’m doing”. He would like to see other people take an interest and maybe keep the memorial going. “I’d be here from 8 to 9:30 and have someone take over from 9:30 to 10:30 and so on, and keep it going till two o’clock or more”.

Well, Mr. DeNardo, we at The Amboy Guardian will put out the word. And to you sir, God Bless America. Semper Fi