Pentagon Officials visit Camp Evans  July 23, 2002

     Congressman’s Smith office and Wall Township hosted a fact-finding visit for Army officials from the Pentagon.  The purpose of the visit was to show the officials the special preservation challenges presented by the removal without repair of the sewer system from the Camp Evans Historic District.
     A portion of Camp Evans has been designated as a National Historic District to honor the men and woman of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and the electronics industry who pioneered early communications at the site.  In Monmouth County, the U.S. Army Signal Corps perfected and improved radar used in every theater of battle in WWII.  Radar has been called the invention which saved democracy.  The Allies use of radar has been credited as a ‘major reason of Victory’ in WWII and the foundation of the modern electronics industry.   Camp Evans, a sub-post of Fort Monmouth, was the Signal Corps Radar Laboratory during WWII and beyond.
     Congressman’s Smith long experience in veterans affairs has given him the insight to understand  the importance to veterans of knowing their sacrifices will be remembered by a grateful nation.  Preserving Camp Evans is preserving and honoring of the unique contributions of Signal Corps veterans in the defense  of our Nation.  Many Signal Corps veterans of Camp Evans have been recognized by Britain for defending that nation and American forces station there from Nazi terror weapons and by France for the roll radar played in  the liberation of  France.
     Congressman Smith has assigned his District Director Ms. Loretta Charbonneau  to assist Wall Township in working with the Pentagon.   The goal is to determine and allocate the appropriate funds to enable Fort Monmouth to properly maintain the historic structures until the property is transferred to Wall Township.
     For over two years Wall Township, the New Jersey Historic Preservation office and the members of the Camp Evans Restoration Advisory Board, lead by Mr. Robert McAllen, have urged Fort Monmouth to repair the sewer system in the interest of  preserving the historic values of this unique historic site.
     Representing the Pentagon in the fact-finding visit was Mr. Bill Birney, Assistant for Real Estate Property for Community and Installation,  Major Douglas Hinnant of Major General Lust’s office and Mr. Robert Davenport of Army Material Command Legal Counsel.  Representing the New Jersey Historic Preservation office was Ms. Dorothy Guzzo, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and  Mr. Dan Saunders, Principal Historical Preservation Specialist.   Monmouth County was represented by Ms. Claire French, County Clerk and county history advocate second to none.   Wall Township was represented by the honorable Mayor Ned Thompson,  Township attorney Mr. Roger McLaughlin, Township Administrator Mr. Joseph Verruni and Township Historian Mr. Fred Carl.   Mr. Joseph Murphy, Historian for the Army Corps of Engineers, Mr. Chuck Appleby BRAC Environmental Coordinator and Ms. BK Swenson, Base Transition Coordinator represented Fort Monmouth.
     At the conclusion of the visit Mr. Birney stated his office will explore every avenue to provide Fort Monmouth the appropriate funds to improve the site conditions until the transfer to Wall Township is completed.  Wall Township and the Congressman can expect an answer prior to the 17th of August.
 
Page created August 2, 2002           Copyright©  Infoage 1998-2002   InfoAge. All rights reserved.