Retired admiral speaks at Veterans Cemetery

Photo by James A. McBride

Retired four-star admiral William J. Fallon delivers the keynote address May 26 during the dedication ceremonies of the Camden County Veterans Cemetery incorporated in eight acres at Harleigh Cemetery.

CAMDEN — Retired four-star admiral William J. Fallon delivered the keynote address May 26 during the dedication ceremonies of the Camden County Veterans Cemetery incorporated in eight acres at Harleigh Cemetery.

The Merchantville native and 1963 graduate of Camden Catholic High School commended the county freeholders for supporting the cemetery, first proposed about six years ago.

“This cemetery memorializes the service of the people that have served this nation,” Fallon said, adding that it was an honor to give the address and to see family and old friends again.

About 100 people, which included veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, attended the ceremonies.

Fallon spent 40 years in the military and led U.S. and Allied forces in eight separate commands. He also had various leadership roles in military and diplomatic matters. His most recent responsibilities were as Commander of U.S. Central and U.S. Pacific Commands.

“We are honored to have Admiral Fallon speak at the dedication of the Camden County Veterans Cemetery,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell, liaison to the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs.

After his retirement from the military, Fallon spent a year as a Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Center for International Studies, and he currently chairs the center’s advisory board.

In addition he serves on the Global Affairs Advisory Board of Occidental College and the Advisory Board of the University of California, San Diego School of International Relations and Pacific Studies.

Fallon is a member of the U.S. Secretary of Defense Science Board and the Board of the American Security Project. He is a graduate of Villanova University, the U.S. Naval War College, the National War College, and has a Master’s in International Studies from Old Dominion University.

He is chairman of CounterTack, Inc., a new company in the cyber security business. Additionally he is a partner in Tilwell Petroleum, LLC, Senior Advisor to the Monitor Group, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses.