South Brunswick To Honor Buddy Thomas With Street Sign Dedication

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - The Township will honor another local veteran with a street sign naming ceremony on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m..

Veteran Buddy Thomas will be honored for his service to the community on Veteran's Day with a ceremony to be held at the intersection of Hillside Avenue and New Road.

South Brunswick holds these dedications, recognizing local veterans for their military service, in the Spring and Fall.

Thomas was in the Marines from 1959 to 1965 in the 1/9 (1st Battalion, 9th Marines) the “walking dead” which was part of the 2nd Marine Division.

The unit earned its nickname because of the high number of casualties it suffered in Vietnam.

Thomas was stationed in Da Nang and was shot in his abdomen for which he earned a Purple Heart and was discharged as a Sergeant.

He was born in Charleston, West Virginia on July 21, 1938. Thomas settled in South Brunswick Township where he had met his wife, Christine and remained here his entire adult life as he and Christine raised their three children.

Thomas' oldest son, Joseph, also served in the Marines. In 2019 he was honored with the South Brunswick Living Local Legend award along with a handful of other individuals.

He has been a vocal advocate for helping get the POW flag put up at all the public schools and Township buildings and he continues to help the Marines during the holidays with their Toys for Tots fundraiser.

The public is invited to join family, friends, and fellow residents along with Mayor Charlie Carley, Deputy Mayor Ken Bierman, Councilwoman Jo Hochman, Councilman Joe Camarota, and Councilwoman Archana Grover at the ceremony to honor Thomas for his distinguished and enduring service.