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Tinton Falls, NJ, April 27, 2010 – The Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross will host our 27th annual Charity Gala on May 22, 2010 at majestic Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ at 7:00 p.m. Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, a World War II hero, will be one of the three recipients of the Clara Barton Humanitarian Award. It is so fitting that we are honoring Bud, because we are calling this year’s Gala, “A Sentimental Journey,” in going back to the military roots of when the Red Cross first began.
Bud Lomell is a retired Toms River attorney, and a highly decorated former United States Army Ranger who served in World War II. Lomell is best known for his actions in the first hours of D-Day at Pointe du Hoc on the coast of Normandy, France. Pointe du Hoc was the site of the German Army’s largest coastal weapons, five 155-millimeter German guns with a 25-kilometer range that engendered the tens of thousands of troops landing on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, and thousands of watercrafts in the English Channel supporting the Normandy invasion. Unbeknownst to the Allied intelligence, the Germans concealed the guns in an orchard and left them operational and ready to fire. Through skill, courage and luck, Lomell found and quickly disabled all five guns. Bud was distinguished by historian Steven Ambrose as the single individual-other than Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower-most responsible for the success of D-Day. The American Red Cross is proud to honor Bud Lomell at our Gala celebration. He is a true humanitarian within our own community and is a mirror image as to what this year’s theme represents.
The Charity Gala promises to be a wonderful evening, enjoyed by all. Tickets for the Gala are still available. For more information regarding this year’s Charity Gala, please contact Carrie at (732)493-9100 ext. 1227 or e-mail carried@jerseycoast-redcross.org.
