In accordance with legislation offered by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in July and signed into law by President Trump in September, the newly constructed Toms River VA facility was today named in honor of Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, a World War II hero and longtime Toms River resident.

                Rep. Smith, the former Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said, “Today, directed by an act of Congress, signed by the President of the United States, this world-class VA outpatient clinic is named in honor of local hero Leonard G. ‘Bud’ Lomell, further recognizing Bud as one of the bravest and most highly decorated combat soldiers of World War II.”

                At a well-attended ceremony inside of the Toms River Veterans’ Clinic, Bud’s daughter, Renee Lomell—speaking on behalf of Bud’s family and his widow, 104-year-old Charlotte Ewart Lomell, who was also in attendance—delivered moving remarks about her father’s valorous military service and extensive work to help veterans acclimate to civilian life.

                “Thank you, Representative Smith, for all that you have done for the veterans throughout the years, particularly for recognizing the need for a VA Clinic to serve this part of the state, first at Brick, and now in Toms River. Thank you for your perseverance through the very lengthy legislative process,” said Renee Lomell.

                “[Bud] would be so pleased that the Toms River VA Clinic offers such a range of services, including help for PTSD and a Women’s Health Department. Dad understood the cost of war and the need for the services of the VA,” she continued.

                Also in attendance was J. Mark Mutter, former Toms River Township Clerk and Historian, and former Toms River Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, who spearheaded the local effort to name the VA clinic in Bud’s honor.

                “This building now stands in memory of a man who stood in the middle of the 20^th century—and turned history for the better. In the end, it’s all about what Bud fought for and stood for: freedom and democracy,” remarked J. Mark Mutter.

                “While we cannot repay Bud and his fellow Rangers for the sacrifices they made to ensure our freedom, the naming of this clinic will ensure that Bud’s heroic legacy lives on,” said Smith.

                In his floor speech accompanying the introduction of H. R. 2170, “To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes,” Smith described Lomell’s heroic actions during World War II, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Legion of Honor medals.

                During his remarks, Smith detailed the “nearly impossible mission” Lomell and his Army Rangers were tasked with, stating that they needed to scale the “100-foot cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and destroy the Germans’ 155-millimeter artillery guns with a range of 10-15 miles that threatened the entire Allied invasion, which they believed were positioned at the top of the cliffs.”

                Despite heavy causalities and injuries, Lomell and his Rangers continued with their mission and successfully destroyed all the Germans’ concealed artillery guns with thermite grenades, saving countless lives and ensuring Allied success during the D-Day invasion. After successfully completing his mission on D-Day, Lomell served in several pivotal battles, including the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge, and was honorably discharged from the Army in December of 1945.

                Upon his honorable discharge, Lomell returned to civilian life and married Charlotte Ewart, a public health nurse, and had three daughters, Georgine, Pauline, and Renee. He soon became the first director of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, where he supported his fellow veterans as they transitioned out of military service. He remained in touch with this fellow Rangers and was elected President of the Ranger Battalion Association of World War II in 1965.

                Lomell also founded one of Ocean County’s largest law firms and served in numerous civic organizations, including the First National Bank of Toms River, the Dover Township Board of Education, and the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society.

                “The 68,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility bearing Bud’s name provides both primary and specialty care, including dental care, women's health care, mental health counseling, physical therapy, and laboratory services. This clinic has already done so much for our community—it is only right that it be named after a true war hero, who dedicated his life to the service of his country and its veterans,” remarked Smith.

                Also attending today’s ceremony was WWII Army Ranger veteran and 100-year-old constituent from Point Pleasant, PFC John Wardell, who served with Bud. At a Capitol Hill ceremony in June—made possible through legislation (S 1872; PL 117-132) supported by Smith in 2022—PFC Wardell was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States, on behalf of all U.S. Army Ranger veterans in recognition of their service and sacrifice during WWII.

                PFC Wardell served with Second Lieutenant Lomell during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, and he also fought in the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of Brest. For his bravery and sacrifice during these battles, PFC  Wardell received the Purple Heart medal upon his honorable discharge in October of 1945.

                The Bud Lomell VA Clinic is a next-gen version of the VA clinic that Smith helped to establish in Brick Township in 1991. After writing legislation that passed the House of Representatives on three separate occasions, Smith secured the much-needed clinic, which served veterans from Ocean and Monmouth counties for over two decades, until it outgrew its capacity.

                In 2003, Smith convinced VA Secretary Anthony Principi to open a new VA clinic in Fort Monmouth to help alleviate the excess capacity, and in 2014, Smith was part of a leadership team to require the VA to authorize new leases for clinics, which ultimately led to the new clinic in Toms River. 

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