Firearms History And Collecting
Atlantic Cape College Honors Three Vietnam-Era Veteran Alumni
Mobile Vietnam Wall visit highlights alumni service and educational legacy
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Mays Landing, NJ
Atlantic Cape Community College is commemorating its connection to the Vietnam generation with a weeklong tribute featuring the Vietnam War Memorial Mobile Wall and a special recognition ceremony for three of its alumni. Paul Hornig Jr., David Abbamondi, and Ray Williams were honored for their service during the Vietnam era, their educational achievements under the GI Bill, and their continued contributions to veterans causes and the wider community. Hornig, a Somers Point resident and third-generation veteran, served from 1970 to 1982 and was called to active duty for 18 months in Hanza, Okinawa. He represents a family legacy of military servicehis grandfathers served in the Navy during World War I, and his father fought at Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. After returning home, Hornig used the GI Bill to earn his associate degree in 1975 at Atlantic Cape and later a bachelors degree in history from Stockton University. His post-military career included working as Atlantic Capes veterans coordinator, where he guided thousands of fellow veterans through the often-complicated process of securing educational benefits, a contribution he considers part of his lifes work. Hornig remains active in multiple veterans organizations, including the American Legion Post 352, the VFW, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 228, where he continues to advocate for veteran support and engagement. Abbamondi, a longtime Mays Landing resident, served as a U.S. Air Force firefighter between 1965 and 1969, stationed at Castle Air Force Base in California. His duties included structural fire protection and crash rescue trainingcritical skills during an era when military aviation was rapidly evolving. After an honorable discharge with the rank of sergeant, Abbamondi returned home and, with GI Bill assistance, enrolled at Atlantic Cape while working part-time at Lenox China. He earned his associate degree in Business Studies in 1972, leveraging his education to support his career and remain an active participant in his local community. While details about Ray Williams service were not as extensively highlighted, he, too, is recognized for his Vietnam-era contributions and his efforts to stay engaged in veterans advocacy. Together, these three men represent a broader narrative about the Vietnam generationmen who answered their countrys call, returned to a divided nation, and nevertheless invested in their education and their communities. Their experiences underscore how the GI Bill served as a bridge between service and civilian life, enabling veterans to build careers and, in many cases, mentor the next generation. The timing of the honors is significant, coinciding with the arrival of the Vietnam War Memorial Mobile Wall at Atlantic Cape. The traveling replica offers students, faculty, and the surrounding community a chance to experience a solemn, tactile connection to the 58,000 Americans who lost their lives during the conflict. Visitors can search for names, make rubbings, and reflect on the cost of war in a more intimate setting than a textbook or lecture could provide. College officials say the wall and alumni recognition work in tandem to educate younger generations about sacrifice, history, and civic responsibility.