USS New Jersey Battleship: July Fourth celebration By MURIEL J. SMITH Posted:07/08/10
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The late CAPT. Joseph Azzolina was recognized and honored at the 8th annual USS New Jersey Blast celebrating the Fourth of July and enabling guests to view the Philadelphia fireworks from the ship berthed in Camden.
Capt. Azzolina, also a former State Senator and Assemblyman, headed the New Jersey Battleship Commission and led the drive to bring the nation's most decorated ship back to the Garden State after she was decommissioned for the last time. The Fourth of July Blast is an annual event whose proceeds help maintain the battleship and its museum. FoodCircus Foodtown supermarkets, the ten-store grocery market chain founded by Azzolina and his family, is consistently a major sponsor of the event.
Camden County Surrogate Patricia Jones addressed the several hundred in attendance at the gourmet dinner on the foc'sicle and recalled CAPT Azzolina's role in preserving the New Jersey, reminding guests of the legacy he left both through his philanthropy and his energies in preserving the battleship. Mrs Jones reminded guests CAPT Azzolina had also served on the New Jersey when she was off the coast of Lebanon. In his honor, guests gave an ovation to the Azzolina members and their guests present at the dinner.
During a private tour of the ship by one of the docents who regularly bring tourists aboard, the Azzolina family saw photos of CAPT Azzolina and commemoratives recollecting his active duty service as well as his work on the Battleship Commission.
