VFW recognizes township public-safety personnel; student from Egg Harbor Township to attend Harvard honored

VFW Post representatives presented certificates of recognition and a monetary award to Egg Harbor Township public-safety personnel during Tuesday’s Egg Harbor Township Committee meeting, and the committee acknowledged a graduating local student who will attend Harvard University in the fall.

Robert William Duffy of VFW Post 8098 (presenting) introduced the recognitions and read a certificate honoring “those who adhere to the highest ideals of law enforcement” and an associated monetary award intended for an individual officer. VFW representatives named Officer Sydney Zorzi as the police “HCP of the year” (the committee and presenters used both spellings in the record; the police chief later referred to “Officer Zorzi” when explaining the officer was unable to attend). The chief said he would arrange for Officer Zorzi to receive the certificate in public at a later date; the chief apologised for the officer’s absence and accepted responsibility for the scheduling mix-up.

The VFW also recognized the township’s emergency medical services and commended their life‑saving support to the township and neighboring towns. Presenters and committee members thanked police, fire, EMT and public‑works personnel for public-safety work and their roles at recent community events.

In a separate recognition the committee invited high-school graduate Ostera Menonoit Bey to speak; she told the committee she graduated in June from Egg Harbor Township High School and will attend Harvard University in the fall. Members praised her academic achievements and asked her to return and report on her progress.

Committee members framed the recognitions as part of the township’s broader gratitude for first responders and local students, and the meeting proceeded to regular business after the presentations.