By Dave Fried
For the second time in three months I have the pleasure of filling this space with a terrific story of compassion and personal sacrifice.
In June, Robbinsville Police Department Det. Adrian Markowski was honored with the 200 Club of Mercer County’s R. Peter Hodge Valor Award for his heroic actions on July 16, 2014, when he likely saved the life of a dump truck driver who had lost control on I-95, rolled over and had been ejected from his vehicle.
Then, on July 24, a 92 year-old Navy man and World War II veteran named Oscar Ehrhart left his home in Waynesboro, Pa. (near the Maryland border) and was traveling to a local American Legion meeting. At some point during his approximately 200-mile trip, Oscar made a wrong turn and ended up in Robbinsville. One of our residents, Robert Shea of Olivia Drive, saw Oscar was in some distress and tried to help him find his way. However, it was now dark, and Oscar was very tired from the very long drive in his 1993 Ford Bronco.
Shea called Robbinsville PD for assistance and offered Mr. Ehrhart his home for the night, but our wayward guest did not wish to impose. When Sgt. Tom Egan arrived on the scene he suggested Oscar stay at a hotel for the night. At this point, Sgt. Egan became aware of Oscar’s brave service to our country and offered to pay for the $169 per-night room at the Hampton Inn & Suites on West Manor Way with his own credit card. The hotel that evening was at 99 percent capacity, with just one room left out of 104.
Hotel employee Nicole Kilian offered Sgt. Egan and Oscar a military discount, dropping the price to $79. When asked to approve the discount Nicole’s manager, Carmen Daniel, went one better. She gave Oscar the room for free.
By Sunday, Mr. Ehrhart was home safe.
This story is what Robbinsville is all about. Our police force constantly goes above and beyond, but so do our residents and businesses. Everyone was “all-in’’ for Oscar Ehrhart, a total stranger, that evening.
Proud does not even begin to describe my feelings toward every single person that helped bring a truly heartwarming resolution to a night that could have gone terribly wrong. Just when I think we’ve peaked as a community, something happens to allow those in our town to step up and set the bar even higher.
Whether it’s our Boy Scouts and their Eagle Scout contributions, our Girl Scouts reaching for Gold Awards by completing their service projects, the work being done by Sue Tonry and Quilts for Comfort, local businesses and the Robbinsville Economic Development Advisory Committee raising funds for pediatric brain tumor research, blood drives, Robbinsville Food Pantry donations, R*MAPSA or just a simple act of kindness, service has become a staple of the Robbinsville community.
And an inspiration to towns everywhere.
Dave Fried is the Mayor of Robbinsville.
