John and Theresa Unger of Allentown, Pa., may not have any direct relation to Captain Emilio Carranza, but their soon-to-be born daughter will be named Emily in his honor.
The Ungers are self-proclaimed history buffs that have traveled to Mexico in the past. They were of the many who journeyed into the Pine Barrens and braved the humid and wet conditions at the 84th annual Carranza Memorial Service on Saturday, July 14.
In July 1928, Carranza, a captain in the Air Corps of the Army of Mexico, was in transit back to his home country on a goodwill mission flight leaving New York for Mexico City when his plane encountered a violent storm over the forest.
He lost control and crashed to his death.
He had been commissioned by the Mexican government to undertake the flight.
Carranza is often considered the Charles Lindbergh of Mexico.
“When the crash occurred, (American Legion) Mt. Holly Post 11 was instrumental in finding the body and bringing it out,” said Lawrence Gladfelter, commander for Post 11. “They also stood guard at the courthouse in Mt. Holly.”
Carranza’s body was returned to Mexico on a train after making stops in nearby Chatsworth and Mt. Holly, as well as back to New York.
To continue his message of goodwill, Post 11 has held a memorial every year since pledging in 1929 to continue to pay homage as the years progress.
“Eighty-four years and we haven’t stopped yet,” said Gladfelter.
In keeping the tradition alive, Post 11 is following the first order of every soldier, said Lt. Colonel Robert E. Jennings, vice commander of the New Jersey wing of the Civil Air Patrol during the service.
Jennings was one of the special speakers representing both the United States and Mexico.
The dismal weather conditions were appropriate for the service, said Richard Franzen, mayor of Tabernacle Township and longtime resident.
“The weather we see today, the rain, the clouds, the high humidity, is probably what Emilio Carranza faced,” he said.
The conditions made the event a special one for him, as the sky is usually cooperative and bright.
Boy Scouts from troops in Shamong and Medford Lakes made the trek for educational reasons.
According to assistant scoutmaster Lawrence Caldwell, ten scouts from Troop 48 of Medford Lakes camped at Goshen Pond in Shamong and rode their bikes to the memorial service.
“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “We’ve never done this before.”
Scouts were able to achieve merit badges through the combination of learning.
While the rain managed to not affect most of the day’s program, there was no fly over during the event due to safety concerns.
Prior to the annual re-enactment, more than 25 wreaths were placed at the memorial, a pillar that stands in the middle of a clearing off of Carranza Road in Wharton State Forest. Tabernacle Township and Shamong Township were among the list of wreath bearers.
Suddenly, Post 11 members congregated and dashed into the woods, soon thereafter returning with a blanket covering a corpse with a hand outstretched — a flashlight clutched — just as it was said that the original American Legion members found his remains.
As the years have progressed, Gladfelter said that the true feeling of Carranza has come closer.
“He is the greatest hero of Mexican aviation,” said Gene O’Grady, department commander of the American Legion Department of N.J. “He was a true patriot.”
“This is where it ended,” he added.
Learn more about Emilio Carranza and obtain directions to his memorial on Carranza Road by visiting http://post11.org/carranza/index.html.
