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Oct. 19, 2005

Charles Kenny recognized for efforts on behalf of military families

At the Woodbridge Township Council meeting last night, Councilman Charles Kenny received a special citation for his years of actively supporting the families of Woodbridge military members deployed overseas.

It came from the Cancialosi Family, grateful for the Councilman’s long-standing efforts on the families’ behalf – in particular their own family member, Captain Christopher Cancialosi , an Army pilot serving in Iraq with the 42 nd DISCOM, 642 nd Divisional Aviation Support Battalion.

“My brother was deployed to Iraq last November,” says Laurie Cancialosi.  “My family and I went to his deployment ceremony last year, and as I climbed into the stands I was surprised to see Charlie Kenny.  Charlie told me that he tries to go to as many of these ceremonies as he possibly can.  I had known Charlie to organize events for troops and their families, but I never knew that his dedication to the men and women that serve our country ran as deep as I learned that day.  

“I told Chris about Charlie and the many things he had done for the troops. Chris emailed me back that he wanted to fly an American Flag with him on his next mission to give to Charlie in gratitude for his steadfast support of the many men and women fighting overseas.”

Captain Cancialosi made good his intention. On May 25, 2005, he piloted a UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter over Tikrit. The flag from that mission was presented to Councilman Kenny before the Township Council meeting.

“Serving overseas is a tremendous emotional burden on our soldiers and their families,” says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “And it is their families who deserve additional recognition for their support through a very trying time. Councilman Kenny has worked diligently to make sure they are not forgotten.”

Kenny sponsored a Township Council resolution of support for the troops and has organized three annual Support Our Troops rallies that raise funds for military families and promote special campaigns such as Operation Uplink , a Veterans of Foreign Wars fundraising effort that buys long-distance phone cards for military families. He was also instrumental in gathering community support and funds for the recent restoration of the World War II monument in downtown Woodbridge.

“Our troops are still facing severe combat conditions,” says Councilman Kenny. “We try to help them realize they have not been abandoned on the home front and are still in our minds and prayers.”