WWII vets to be honored at summer concert series

Archie Fagan, a World War II veteran considered to be a “local treasure” by his many fans at Flemington Shop Rite, will be an honored guest at the Hunterdon Harmonizers’ musical performance at 7 p.m. Aug. 1 in Deer Path Park, 120 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington, N.J. Admission is free.

Born in 1927 in Philadelphia, Fagan was drafted out of high school into the army and served from June 1944 through December 1946. In 1945, he helped liberate Dachau. Following his discharge, he attended The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania under the GI bill, graduating with honors in 1951. He ran a family grocery business along with his brother until age 66 and today, works full-time at Shop Rite, a job he has held for the past 25 years.

Fagan will be joined by veterans from Lambertville, Glen Gardner, Whitehouse American Legion, and Independence Manor in Flemington. Leaders from the county senior center will also be on hand to represent the county’s support services to veterans.

The show, which includes a special tribute to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Normandy invasion in World War II, is dedicated to all veterans, and in particular, those in attendance who served America during World War II.