N.J. Governor Philip D. Murphy & First Lady Tammy Murphy Honor U.S. Marines

U.S. Marines Celebrate 243rd Birthday

The Original Soupman Honored for Non-Profit Soup for Troops

Diane Lilli
Joe Hagan, CEO of Original Soupman and founder of non profit “Soup for Troops” with New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy and U.S Marine “Gunnery” Mario Monaco.
Diane Lilli
New Jersey Governor Phillip Murphy spoke movingly about veterans and his own childhood memories at the event.
Diane Lilli
U.S. Marines, who both served in Vietnam, John Dugan and Frank Healey.
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The U.S. Marine Corps celebrated their 243rd birthday in style on Sunday, November 18 at the N.J. Governor’s Mansion in Princeton. On hand were numerous members of the U.S. Marines, including “Gunnery” Mario Monaco, who organizes the beloved annual event; New Jersey Governor & Commander in Chief Philip D. Murphy; First Lady Tammy Murphy; Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey with his father Jack McGreevey, a World War II and Korean War veteran; hundreds of U.S. veterans; CEO of N.J. based Original Soupman and non-profit “Soup for Troops” Joe Hagan, and Troop 9 of the Boy Scouts, from Caldwell.

The brisk weather brought long lines of veterans to the Original Soupman cart, located at the outdoor venue. U.S. Marines who served in numerous wars and conflicts were on hand to catch up with friends and honor their fellow veterans.

Two U.S. Marines on hand who both served in Vietnam, John Dugan and Frank Healey, said they were pleasantly surprised and happy the governor was attending.

“We are very happy that Governor Murphy is coming, and I think it’s just great,” noted Dugan. “I think it’s a terrific idea he is coming today.”

Healy added, “The U.S. Marines are a family and the smallest branch of the military. One person looks out after the other. The military is a good thing for a young person to do – male or female.”

Governor Murphy told the emotional crowd that Jack McGreevey “enlisted at 17 in the U.S. Marine Corps., and served in World War II and in Korea,”. The governor then spoke of his own patriotic family life and how his parents took him to serve Thanksgiving to veterans in different parts of the world, where they lived since their father was in service during their childhood. Regarding the many marines on hand, the governor said he is always grateful for their service.

“New Jersey Marines have been awarded the Medal of Honor but even more notably have just as proudly worn the American badge of honor that we call “citizens”.

Honored at the event was guest of honor Lt. Col John M. Chacko Jr. Also called up to the podium was CEO of Original Soupman Joe Hagan, who had been helping serve hot soups to the cold veterans, and also founded “Soup for Troops”, a program that donates free shelf-stable Tetra Paks of soups to veterans and their families.

“I am very humbled and honored to be here today,” said Hagan. “Happy Birthday. The Soupman has a foundation called for Soup for Troops. My uncle was served in Korea and my father-in-law was a marine in Okinawa. I understand the least we can do is say thank you for your service on a constant basis. This is our warm hug and our way of saying the Soupman never forgets.”

"Gunny” U.S. Marine Mario Monaco said this year’s event was elevated due to the work of numerous people on hand.

“Certain people gave the whole ceremony ambiance,” noted Monaco. “The amazing woman who sang the national anthem, Sofia Khorosh, and the doctor who played the viola, Dr. Maruy Rorro (NJVA) really pushed it up this year’s event to another level. The Original Soupman did the same thing. They gave people not just warmth but they showed how they care about veterans. It was such a nice touch – and offered the veterans at the celebration a different, higher level of people caring.”

Soup for Troops nonprofit program debuted in Nutley, New Jersey, a town renowned for its robust veteran’s programs. About 3,000 veterans and/or their families reside in this community. The relationship with Nutley serves as a scalable model to support veterans through local partnerships on a national level. As part of the program, soup will be delivered to a central location in Nutley, New Jersey where veterans may pick them up. Veterans and their families can now enjoy Original Soupman Tetra Recart ® packaged soups, which come in specially recycled eco-friendly shelf-stable boxes designed to keep soups fresh while preserving taste. Nutley, New Jersey is the only town in the state to have its own Department of Military Affairs, called the Nutley Department of Military Veterans Affairs Bureau and directed by Courtney Johnson.

The Original Soupman soups, known for their delicious soups and made famous on Seinfeld with the iconic phrase “No Soup for You”, is available online at https://originalsoupman.com/