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A fitting farewell for an American patriot

| 07 Aug 2015 | 12:38
    The flag was flown at the legion, then taken down from the flagpole, ceremoniously folded and presented to the family.
    The flag was flown at the legion, then taken down from the flagpole, ceremoniously folded and presented to the family.
    Photos by Don Webb Kathy Brown with husband Darryl proudly hold flag that was given to them in memory of Kathy's dad, Eric John Vonderhorst at his memorial service last Sunday.
    Photos by Don Webb Kathy Brown with husband Darryl proudly hold flag that was given to them in memory of Kathy's dad, Eric John Vonderhorst at his memorial service last Sunday.
    After the flag was raised, it was then lowered and given to the family.
    After the flag was raised, it was then lowered and given to the family.
    The American Legion blew Taps for the veteran.
    The American Legion blew Taps for the veteran.
    Friends and neighbors looked at the photos of Vonderhorst's life after the service.
    Friends and neighbors looked at the photos of Vonderhorst's life after the service.
    Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard.
    Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard.
    A crowd gathered at the Frank M. Sell American Legion Hall to honor Eric John Vonderhorst, a World War II veteran who died earlier this year.
    A crowd gathered at the Frank M. Sell American Legion Hall to honor Eric John Vonderhorst, a World War II veteran who died earlier this year.

BY DON WEBB
WEST MILFORD — A memorial service was held at West Milford’s American Legion Post 289 on Sunday, Aug. 2, for World War II veteran Eric John Vonderhorst of Oak Ridge, who passed away on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 at the age of 89.

Vonderhorst's storyIn 1943, at the age of 17, Vonderhorst begged his parents, Elizabeth (Kohler) and William Vonderhorst of Hackensack, to sign the paperwork to allow him to join the US Army early to help the fight against Nazism in Europe.

Later, in August of 1944, Vonderhorst found himself behind enemy lines in Belgium while serving as a reconnaissance scout, during which time he was wounded by shrapnel from a German mortar shell and became unable to walk. He was captured by the German Army and held as a prisoner of war in Stalag 11B Fallingbostel, Prussia. As a POW, Vonderhorst and his fellow prisoners endured many hardships which included no heat in the winter months, very little food, and bad treatment. Vonderhorst walked with a limp and carried the shrapnel in his leg for the rest of his life.

Stalag 11B was later liberated by the British Royal Air Force and Vonderhorst was returned home along with the other prisoners. Vonderhorst was later given the Purple Heart.

Continued serviceAfter his military service, Vonderhorst went on to work as a civil engineer at Picatinny Arsenal for 30 years. His service to his country didn't end there. He moved to Chula Vista, California, and joined the Minute Man Civil Defense Corps patrolling the United States border, working with law enforcement, to help fight the war against drug trafficking into the country. When Vonderhorst could no longer physically patrol the boarder, he took on a supporting role in the Minute Man camp.

Vonderhorst returned home to Oak Ridge in his 80s to be with family and friends. At the age of 89, Vonderhorst passed away.

A fitting memorialBecause of the great love for him and the many people who wanted to honor his memory, Vonderhorst’s daughter, Kathy Brown, took the time to make the memorial service perfect for her dad, a patriot. About 70 people came to the American Legion to honor the memory of Vonderhorst, some from as far away as Washington State. The service included the raising of the flag by West Milford’s VFW and American Legion, which was later given to Brown; a prayer service; a gun salute by the Frank M. Sell American Legion Honor Guard; and the lowering of the flag. The flag was folded by to Marines and given to Brown, all this while Taps was being played.

For more photos from the ceremony, go to westmilfordmessenger.com.