Home page: Court House resident David Crews sorts signs Sunday, Nov. 9 in Rio Grande. Left: Emmalee Poserina, 9, and sister Amy Poserina, 7 with grandmother Nancy Poserina help Crews thank veterans Nov. 9. Photos by Al Campbell

RIO GRANDE -- It wasn’t a wedding, nor was it a terrible traffic jam on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the Routes 9 and 47 intersections that caused nearly continuous honking…it was the result of one man who wanted to thank veterans for their service to America.

That man, David Crews of Court House, never wore a uniform, never stood guard duty, never swept a minefield or steered a ship through mountainous waves to war. All he wanted to do was show appreciation to those who did those things.

Crews is no stranger to the southeast corner of the busy intersection in a small Middle Township park. He would rally for the troops almost every Friday. He wanted to let veterans and those serving in the military that someone cared and wanted to express gratitude for their service.

At first, he had a few signs and flags that proliferation of patriotic colors blossomed. On Sunday, there were flags from all services as well as a super-size 6-by-10-foot American flag Crews bought at the recent Middle Township Harvest Festival. “I couldn’t wait to put it up,” he said with a broad smile as wind unfurled the flag from a stake-secured ladder.

Aiding Crews in his effort to thank veterans with huge signs and flags were long-time advocates of America, Emmalee Poserina, 9, sister Amy Poserina, 7, as well as grandparents Robert and Nancy Poserina of Villas.

“I’m not a vet, but I hold them in highest esteem,” said Robert Poserina. “Vets go through a lot of suffering. I can’t imagine it,” he added.

Joining Crews on Sunday was Vince DePrinzio of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 955 of Wildwood, who told Crews that, in 2009, Wildwood will have its own Vietnam Veterans memorial wall, the first permanent one of its kind in New Jersey, to honor the memory of 58,260 service members killed in that war.

“On Nov. 21, Wildwood will dedicate a street neat Fox Park as The Wall That Heals Avenue,” said DePrinzio. That action is being taken in memory of Vietnam veterans killed in that Southeast Asia war, and for Greg Mazzotta, long-time advocate of getting The Wall That Heals to visit Wildwood last summer. Mazzotta recently passed away, and thus will never get to see his dream realized.

Crews said he holds the tributes to service members and veterans on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day weekends.

“I do it to support our troops and say ‘thank you’ and that we appreciate what they are doing, and to honor our military,” said Crews.

“I’m not a veteran, but I just feel patriotic,” said Crews as horns beeped and he returned waves from passing motorists.