Bruce Buckley, left, CEO of Soldier On, the nonprofit that built the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community in Tinton Falls, emceed a ceremony during the facility’s Veterans Day Picnic that included comments by Dorothea Bongiovi, right. Laura D.C. Kolnoski 
The staff of JBJ Soul Kitchen, one of Soldier On’s earliest New Jersey partners, was honored for its contributions during the Veterans Day Picnic ceremonies. At left is Bruce Buckley, Soldier On CEO. JBJ founder Dorothea Bongiovi is third from right; to her right is Executive Chef Emily Yasi. Laura D.C. Kolnoski 
Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, who worked for a decade to see the Mansfield Community built and had the Women’s Wing dedicated in her honor last May, with Netflix Director of Studio & Production Affairs Nick Maniatis. Laura D.C. Kolnoski
By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
TINTON FALLS – A chilly drizzle could not dampen the festive atmosphere at the Veterans Day Picnic at Soldier On’s Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community on Essex Road Nov. 10, sponsored by Netflix in conjunction with JBJ Soul Kitchen of Red Bank.
Netflix, which intends to build a major film and television production studio on nearby Fort Monmouth, underwrote the event, supplying tents, heaters and decorations. The firm hired JBJ’s professional chefs to create the buffet menu and sent a team to interact with residents and guests. Dorothea Hurley Bongiovi, who founded JBJ Soul Kitchen with her husband Jon Bon Jovi, was there throughout the afternoon and delivered comments during the ceremonies.
A week prior, some of the same Netflix representatives joined co-CEO Ted Sarandos and Gov. Phil Murphy at a signing ceremony on the fort marking the state’s receipt of Netflix’s detailed plans for the almost 300-acre site. That plan is now before the public for a 45-day comment period that began Nov. 6 via fortmonmouthnj.com.
“Netflix is thrilled to partner with Soldier On to honor our veterans,” said Nick Maniatis Netflix’s director of Studio & Production Affairs. “It’s essential to show our support for the Monmouth County community by building a studio that will drive economic growth and show we’re committed to being engaged neighbors.” Maniatis said there remains “a long way to go” before the start of construction that could see Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth open in an estimated seven to 10 years.
“We’re excited to work with Gov. Murphy, local officials and residents to transform historic Fort Monmouth into a world-class production facility that will create meaningful job opportunities,” Maniatis continued, adding the firm wants “to earn our place here and intend(s) to stay involved.” There are numerous steps to complete before closing with the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) occurs, including obtaining approvals at the local, county and state levels.
It was the second time JBJ Soul Kitchen, one of Solder On’s earliest partners, cooked for the annual picnic at the complex which opened in November 2021. Led by Executive Chef Emily Yasi, the nonprofit organization shares recipes, conducts cooking demonstrations and hosts other events including the facility’s Memorial Day picnic.
“I wanted to be here today because we have a great partnership with Soldier On and love working with them,” Bongiovi told The Two River Times. She elicited laughs from the crowd when she joked, “I was cooking all day!”
Bongiovi explained the mission and operations of the restaurant, where guests who can pay for their meals help support the effort while those who cannot may volunteer their services. She said the organization is experiencing 60 percent of diners in need and 40 percent paying.
“The support services provided here are important,” Bongiovi said of the Soldier On community. “No veteran should be homeless. We’re looking forward to Netflix coming… and the ripple effect.”
Last Veterans Day, Soldier On announced the JBJ Soul Foundation (JBJ Soul Kitchen’s umbrella organization) will partner with the New England Patriots Foundation to build another Mansfield residential community in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. The Tinton Falls facility is the only one in New Jersey. Each location is named for the late Mansfield, a Vietnam War veteran and former United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who helped create the first Soldier On residence in Massachusetts.
The four-story complex of 70 one-bedroom apartments provides qualifying veterans with affordable housing complemented by support services and programs. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1994, develops partnerships with public and private entities to provide residents with counseling, legal and medical services, transportation and more. In addition to greenhouses, a trail and outdoor recreation space, the site has a columbarium for the interment of deceased residents’ ashes where a red, white and blue wreath was placed during the ceremonies.
Partners were honored with kudos and plaques during Friday’s ceremony, among them the Jersey Shore Dream Center, Healing Warriors, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the JBJ Soul Kitchen staff.
Ten units are dedicated solely to female veterans, with a separate entrance and common spaces. Last May, the wing was dedicated to Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, who spearheaded the 10-year effort to make the facility a reality. Burry, who is retiring in December after 53 years in public service, attended the picnic with her husband Donald, a retired Coast Guard captain who first told his wife about Soldier On. When a location on Fort Monmouth could not be secured, Tinton Falls officials offered a vacant plot near Seabrook Village for $1.
David Ginsberg, senior vice president of Winn Development, Soldier On’s construction partner, called Burry “the political champion who paved the way to this project. We count on the Lillians of the world to make this happen. We had 300 applications for this facility in the first month. We can’t build these fast enough and look forward to this becoming a national model.”
Ginsberg told The Two River Times that FMERA and its executive director, Kara Kopach, were “the connective tissue” that brought Netflix and Soldier On together with assistance from the governor’s office.
“Lillian is why this building is here,” said Soldier On CEO Bruce Buckley, while Dorothea Bongiovi called Burry, “our spirit animal… for her efforts to seeing Soldier On to fruition.” Buckley said he looks forward to the “energy” Netflix will bring to the former U.S. Army base.
“This is the beginning of our community outreach,” said Emily Hartstein, Netflix strategic projects specialist. “We are looking to be good neighbors.”
This article originally appeared in the November 16 – 22, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
