Atlantic City Weekly

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Remembering ‘Memorial Day’


Like others rooted in reverence or religion, Memorial Day is a holiday that has become a bit detached from its intended purpose over the decades, and in the eyes of some has taken on an commercial element that could overshadow its true meaning. The federal holiday dates back to the Civil War, when “Decoration Day” was created on May 30, 1869, by a Union general to remember northern-forces soldiers killed in the war. Later a different day in May was established to recognize those from the Confederate or southern states who perished. It evolved to include all American Armed Forces members who died in any war the United States was ever involved in. Renamed “Memorial Day,” it is always recognized on the last Monday of the month of May. Two local organizations — the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10 of Atlantic City, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart #115 of Cape-Atlantic Counties — and their affiliated chapters continue to hold a tribute to the holiday every May 30 (11am at O’Donnell Memorial Park, Albany and Pacific avenues in Atlantic City), regardless of what day of the week that may fall. It’s been that way since World War II ended (1945) says 86-year-old John Palmentieri, a lifelong Atlantic City resident and the youngest of four brothers to serve in WW II. The others are now deceased. 


“It was changed to the last Monday to give people a three-day weekend, but we stick to May 30th because that’s the day Memorial Day was created to remember those who died at war,” says Palmentieri, who was drafted out of high school at age 18 and was the second brother to fight in Europe. The first was Pompeii (named after the famed Italian city), who fought in Gen. Patton’s army in Sicily. His eldest brother, Gus, was in Pearl Harbor the day it was bombed by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941, and spent the next four years in the Pacific theater. The fourth brother, Ralph, was a gunnery instructor in Florida and was never shipped overseas. All four brothers survived WW II and returned to Atlantic City. “My mother’s hair was black when Gus got drafted,” says John Palmentieri, who served from 1943-’45. “It was gray by the time I went in.” John Palmentieri came the closest to dying in WW II when he was shot in the leg by a sniper in Germany, weeks after he and his 79th Infantry Division landed in Normandy and marched up to the border of Germany. For that he received one of the highest military honors bestowed on a soldier — the Purple Heart. His wife, Louise Palmentieri, was the first woman ever to serve on the City Council of Atlantic City, and spearheaded the drive to have a WW II monument placed at O’Donnell Park. 


Each year John Palmentieri and members of his veterans groups give talks to schoolchildren, like the one the gave Saturday, May 19, at Belhaven Middle School in Linwood, to remind them of the sacrifices that were made, and continue to be made, to preserve America’s freedom. — Ray Schweibert


Revel’s Round-the-Clock Revelry


Sure, Beyoncé’s been the talk of the town regarding Revel’s Memorial Day weekend grand-opening festivities, but they hardly begin and end with the mere superstar, who has been rehearsing at the resort over the past week or so for her special four-night stand in A.C. The mega-resort is set for round-the-clock, property-wide partying from May 25-28. But since we’re on the subject, a “Beyoncé & Revel VIP Premiere Pass” is being offered that includes one mid-orchestra level ticket to Beyoncé’s Ovation Hall concert, access to VIP events at The Social and Ivan Kane’s Royal Jelly Burlesque nightclubs, access to the Resort Level including a cocktail reception, live entertainment and gratis cocktails from 5-6pm, free parking and a personalized commemorative credential. The package is $750 and available for any of Beyonce’s first three (of four) shows (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) by visiting any Ticketmaster location or going to ticketmaster.com. Additional highlights of Revel’s Premiere Weekend include “Hallucination” in the DigiPit, where each night (7pm-2am) a stage show combines music and digital art with live dancing every half hour; late-night gaiety at both The Social and Ivan Kane's Royal Jelly with surprise performances from 11pm-4am; the Revel Food Walk with small-plate tastings prepared by Revel chefs at The Row ($20, Friday 6pm-1am, Saturday and Sunday 11:30am-1am); and signature fitness programs by Bask spa, including Core Fusion, yoga-mind-body and SurfSET classes held throughout the resort. A commemorative T-shirt of Premiere Weekend will also be presented to qualified Revel Card members. For a full list of scheduled events, visit revelresorts.com/premiere. Read more about Revel here. — RS

Drew Toonz