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By Jim McGowan, WCBP (1970-1973) From the magazine "White Rose Motorist" in 1974 
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By Vince Conti  WILDWOOD CREST - Commissioners July 21 celebrated Beach Patrol Lt. Max Bilkins’ 50th summer with the borough. Bilkins joined the patrol in 1970. Following a couple years' absence later, in the 1970s, Bilkins returned and never left. Bilkins was promoted to lieutenant in 1979 and has served in that position since. In accepting the award, Bilkins said it was never planned. “I had no idea I’d be standing here,” he said, as he looked at family that included his grandchildren. He spoke of getting to know so many regular summer visitors to the Crest. “I know many of them by name,” he said. Bilkins helped build the borough's reputation in beach patrol competitions, winning a record eight Around the Island Row championships over four decades.  Joey Freeman 1970 - 1979, 1986Below is a letter written by alumnus, Joey Freeman about his experience on the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol. Being a lifeguard on the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol is considered a seasonal job, usually starting on Memorial Day Weekend and ending, with a few exceptions, on Labor Day Weekend. However, for any of us who had the privilege of being hired for that “job” will tell you that it was never that. It was an opportunity to serve and protect those who came to the Crest for some relaxation in the sun. We were well trained to handle water rescues, land emergencies, lost kids and the like, and we had organized workouts to help us stay in tiptop shape physically. I did that “job” from 1970 to 1979 and then again in 1986. I sat the stand, became a jeep driver, and finished as a lieutenant in the south sector. However, when I think of the WCBP, I think of the word family, not associates or fellow lifeguards. Family. Ask any WCBP alum about their time as a lifeguard and they will speak of lifetime friendships forged over those summer months. They will talk of a sense of belonging, of a brotherhood, of being part of something that lasted a lifetime and not just for a season, of working with guys that you knew had your back and would go that extra mile for you. Yes, we vowed to protect and serve the public that vacationed on our beach, but somehow we learned to do the same for one another and not just during those summers we were together. The Alumni Weekend, held on the 3rd Saturday in August, promoted that camaraderie as we celebrated each others’ families. It allowed us to stay in touch with one another and to keep up with our ever changing lives, be it marriages, births, deaths, graduations, etc. In my opinion, if you ask any of the young men and women currently serving or any of the alum who have served to give you a word that describes the experience of being a WCBP lifeguard, they will say FAMILY. Speaking of family, mine has served the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol for many years, beginning in the late 1940’s and ending near the turn of the century. My Uncle Jim Freeman, my father’s older brother, served as a LT in 1948 and 1949 and was acting captain in ‘49 or ’50. My father, Joe Freeman, was captain from 1969 to 1973 before handing it off to Buddy Johnson, who is still serving in that capacity. There are 9 boys in my family and 5 of us served as guards: Tommy, John, Tim, Christopher, and myself. Later on, my brother John’s son, John Jr, served. My mother Mary’s side of the family served as well. Her brother, my Uncle Terry Shea, served from the mid 60’s until 1970. Her brother Tom Shea’s son, John Shea, served in 1969. And her sister Joan Shea Muratore had 3 sons who served as lifeguards: my cousins Fred Muratore, Steve Muratore, and Vinnie Muratore worked on the beach at the same time the Freeman boys did. A total of 13 members of my family served as lifeguards from the late 1940’s until almost 2000 for a total of over 50 years.  Finally, regarding family, I have been on hospice since May 3rd, 2021, and my WCBP family from all over the country has sent us cards, texts, calls, and Facebook messages of love and encouragement, demonstrating that it was never just a summer job. Thank you to my WCBP family. I love you.
Major General Charles J. Dunlap, Jr. USAF (Ret.): 1973 - 1975Below is an blog written by alumnus, Charles Dunlap, Professor of the Practice of Law at Duke University, on his experience working on the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol.  A personal reflection: a leader who mentors can be a lifelong influence In an effort to use the COVID lockdown as productively as possible, I took on some long-deferred projects, including getting a few old photos professionally restored. One of these was a 1975 group photo of the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol (WCBP) on which I served from 1973-1975. Looking at that photo after all these years brought back memories of some of the best mentorship I’ve ever received. During college and law school I spent my summers working in Wildwood Crest, a beach resort on the South Jersey Shore. During those years I had a variety of jobs (often simultaneously!), including laundry worker, janitor, rooming house manager, busboy, and waiter. But the most memorable are the three summers I spent as a lifeguard, an experience that taught me a lot about myself and life in general. (Because I had a military service obligation from ROTC, I never worked in a legal job during my law school summers, and didn’t even take a bar review course – something I do NOT recommend, although somehow I did pass). The reason I sought the job is complicated, but suffice to say it was something I believed at the time I just had to attempt, whatever the cost. As you’ll discover, I was concerned since I knew I had rather limited talent for what could be a very demanding job that occasionally required actual rescues – and I also knew the ocean can sometimes be a very dangerous place. I learned a lot serving with the WCBP. Among other things:
Several years ago I tried to express some of my thoughts about how Bud Johnson, the WCBP’s chief, mentored me to success. The essay below is a lightly edited version of what originally appeared in the Wildwood Leader on Oct. 25, 2006: Seaside Summer Sage Have you had a life-defining experience? Had a mentor that influenced your life in a crucial way? Lots of popular books these days like to claim that everything the author needed to know about life was learned at… (Well, you fill in the blank). Of course, nothing is ever so simple, but people do have experiences and meet people that can set them on a life course, for good or ill. · As an Air Force general officer with more than 30 years’ service as a military lawyer, I am sometimes asked about just such things, often framed as a question about my “secret to success.” Quite honestly, the word “luck” is the first thing that comes to mind. As true as that is, there is more. Most people expect to hear about some military adventure or senior officer with whom I served. Yet for me the most defining experiences of my life occurred during the 1970s when I worked as a lifeguard on the Wildwood Crest beach. It was not the rather ‘Zen’ experience of watching waves and tourists that mattered so much; instead, it was unique mentorship of Bud Johnson, the captain of the guards, that turned those summers into real leadership labs. It was no easy trick for me to get the job. Frankly, nothing I have done in life, to include the bar exam, deployments to tricky Middle Eastern hot spots – or even actual ocean rescues – was as difficult as the lifeguard test I took in June 1973. It involved swimming [50] yards or so out into a rough, 56-degree ocean, and somehow pulling a 220-pound lifeguard posing as a victim back to shore. What made the test especially difficult was the fact that I was (and am) a rather mediocre swimmer. When I expressed uncertainty as to whether I could do this, Capt. Johnson told me something I often think about: he said “you set your own limits; if you think you can’t, you won’t.” And he’s right; he was teaching me about the importance of positive thinking, and about digging down deep within yourself to ‘[punch] above your [weight]’ when you really must. Believe me, that’s a lesson I’ve valued greatly over the last several decades. I somehow passed the test, but Capt Johnson continued his mentorship. He told me that given my ‘limited’ swimming ability, I had to figure out a way to contribute to the overall team effort. So I worked to make myself the best runner on the beach, the guy who could get into the water quickly from blocks away. No, I never really was the “best” runner, but I managed to become respectable, and I was able to do my share when it counted. Discovering how to optimize your talents to productively fit into a complicated enterprise are things executives today pay big bucks to hear about at chic seminars. All it cost me were some cut feet as I spent many an hour pounding down the shell-strewn beach learning to maximize myself. But the most valuable lesson Bud Johnson left me with was the importance of what others can teach, regardless of their station in life. I had already finished my first year of law school when I began my rookie summer. Early that season he stopped by my stand for a quick chat. “Charlie” he said, “you have a lot more education than most of these guys, but if you ever think you have nothing to learn from them, you’re done.” He was right, of course, and I’ve repeated those well-grounded words to scores of military officers over the years. Thanks to Bud Johnson, lifeguarding for me was more than hot days, warm girls and cold beer (though there was all of that as well). I guess I would say that everything (or most things) I needed to know about life, I learned on the beautiful beaches of South Jersey.  Bud Johnson, who also worked as a public school administrator, still heads the WCBP during the summers. Under his leadership the lifeguard selection process, training, and equipment has evolved over the years to befit the sophisticated and elite organization that is today’s WCBP. The reality remains, however, that the mentoring true leaders so generously provide their charges can make all the difference to those fortunate enough to be led by best.
 *The Indiana Gazette, May 13, 2018
Scott “Bick” Murphy got his start in swimming at the Mack Park pool. “My mother would drop me off for swim lessons and that’s where all the hometown lineage started,” he said. “My first swim instructors, during the cold months of late May and early June, were Sherri Widowson and Becky Holsinger. After many laps, instruction and summer days at the pool, I automatically became a fish, easily spending four to six hours a day (there).” Murphy further developed his skills at the YMCA of Indiana County. “I went to the YMCA and started swimming competitively around my freshman year in high school,” he said. “Thanks to folks like Ron Nelson, Dave Watkins and others that helped out with the swim team, I began to forge my way as a competitive swimmer — and sometimes diver.” Murphy went on to set records in swimming at Indiana High School, where he was the school’s first PIAA qualifier. “We started the swim team I believe my sophomore year with the help of a local parent, Jim Gordon Sr., whose son also was a swimmer,” he said. “After much deliberation and persuading with the powers that be, we established the origination of the Indiana swim team. “My first two years, I believe I set two district records and went on to the state championships in State College.” Murphy later swam at IUP, where he achieved All-America status in 1980. He also was a two-time All-East selection on the water polo club team. “Our first All-American (swimming) experience was in Michigan,” he said. “We had an assistant coach (Gordon Miller) take us there in the depths of winter (March) in blowing snow and crazy conditions. Our top swimmer at the time, Dan Deacon, ended up winning the 200-yard backstroke and was national champion. “We all shaved our heads … we swam out of our minds and ended up in finals and thus an All-America berth. I always took things in stride and didn’t expect a particular outcome, but I’ll have to say the All-American honor at that age was pretty cool.” Murphy, also a champion rower, runner and lifeguard currently living in Cape May, N.J., will return to his roots Sunday, May 20, to be inducted into the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame. The 35th annual banquet gets underway at 5:30 p.m. at the Rustic Lodge. Joining Murphy in the Class of 2018 are Bill Anderson, John Burda, Eric Craig, Owen Dougherty Jr., Steve Mizerak, Jerry Page and Norman “Huey” Whitesel. “Personally, I have known 33 of the past inductees, either as mentors, teammates, teachers, administrators and/or friends,” Murphy said. “Based on my accomplishments, I am incredibly humbled for the recognition within the company, and feel that my accomplishments are far from par with regard to their contributions. “I will say that being from Indiana, and understanding what the community offered me in the years of my pursuits, I am thrilled about the recognition. I can’t think of a better way to thank everyone responsible for this distinguished honor.” After earning his master’s degree at IUP, Murphy was hired to teach, coach and direct the aquatics program at Emory University in Atlanta. In 28 years at Emory, Murphy coached water polo, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, individual tri-athletes and the Masters swimming program. Since 1980, he has been training and certifying lifeguards in New Jersey. “I’ve known Bick for a number of years,” said Indiana native Bob Ogoreuc, a 2008 hall of fame inductee who is an assistant professor at Slippery Rock University, where he also serves as aquatics director. “We did work aquatics together. We worked on beach patrol together for a number of years. We’ve been lifelong friends. He’s just a great all-around athlete, from swimming to running to triathlons. He was one of the premier lifeguard competitors in the country. “It’s great to see that he is getting honored with the hall of fame.” Murphy has competed in marathons in Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. He finished fourth out of 1,000 runners at a marathon in Florida in 1999, and the race qualified him for Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii. He finished 600th out of 1,500 finishers. Overall, he has captured 52 beach competitions. And he participated in the Maui 9-mile relay international championship, where his team finished fourth. “The fact that Bick was so successful in swimming, running and rowing is quite an accomplishment,” said Vince Celtnieks, the former IUP soccer coach who befriended Murphy when he was in college. “To have the ability to do all three of those together, and do them all well, is very impressive. “Plus, he’s a decent guy. He’s not an egomaniac. He did things the right way.” Murphy has won numerous awards for coaching and volunteering, including Atlanta American Red Cross Volunteer of the Year and organizer for Olympic swimming, diving and synchronized swimming for the 1996 Games. He also was named coach of the year at Emory and taught at The Aquatic School and Institute in Pennsylvania, Texas and California. Murphy also served as a contributor on pool design to the 1996 Olympic committee in Atlanta, where he was living at the time. “The Olympic experience was epic,” Murphy said. “My task was to investigate all possible venues, sites, accessibility and past venues for Olympic participation in swimming and diving, synchronized swimming and water polo. “We received the bid. Further work went through 1995, with pre-Olympic events and showcase competition that allowed many nations to take their first look at the Olympic City." Hurley McBrierty 1980-86 What made you join the beach patrol? As a child I always admired the life guards they were always very fit and great athletes. In addition it seemed like a very important job and people respected your position and the importance of maintaining safety on a crowded beach What are some of your best memories from your years with the WCBP? The fraternity of my WCBP Mates. All the memories of the beach on and off. Not to mention during the 80's Wildwood was at the height of decadence and the all ya could eat buffet for a young man. Tell us about your life after the beach. After WCBP I was recruited by General Electric and have worked as a medical sales rep for 30 years working in the operating room selling anesthesia machines and patient monitors. I still place importance on life balance. I work out 5 days a week play golf 3 times a week and spend as much time with wife Beth and my 2 boys Brendan 18 and Collin 16. We still spend lots of time on the Jersey shores mainly in Ocean City where we have a family house in the Gardens. I don't get down to the Crest as much as I like but occasionally get down to see the old gang. Max, Jack Moore, Mert, Hawk, Tom F. and Brother-Brother Wiz, my old rowing partner. The Crest is still my favorite beach and still love working out at the Atilis gym. I will always look back on those WCBP days as some of the best of my life. I would do it all over 100 times. Whenever I talk to some of the younger kids that are contemplating trying out I always tell them they will never regret it. During my days as a guard I always worked as a Rover from stand 1-6, best job. Past partners were Hawkeye Dave Ferraro, Tom Popdan , Scott Spear, Bick, L-Fee, Greek, Jeff Walden, Lance, and Matt Donahue his rookie year. Famous line I remember from my partner Hawk was he would say, "What's mine is mine, what's yours is yours. I'm going to sleep watch for the keep." Lol. Best freakin times! How has the beach patrol impacted your life? Taught me to go big or don't go at all. It was a job of self discipline, vigilance, and required superior fitness and a job that required at times very quick thinking. What advice would you give a young guard today?
Visualize it, believe it, achieve it. It's a job you will love and remember all your life. Don't forget to watch the water. Lifeguard Juliana Roche Receives Award for Excellence From The Leader: of the Wildwoods - Feb 23, 2018 Julianna Roche, a senior at Wildwood Catholic High School, has received the inaugural Award for Excellence at the annual Student Leadership on Development at the United Nations. This award was given in recognition of her dedication, leadership and longevity in this annual youth conference. No other secondary school student has been a leader in this conference from grade 9 through grade 12. Beginning in 2019, this award will be known as The Julianna Roche - Student Leadership Conference on Development Award at the UN for Excellence. Julianna Roche of Cape May Court House, senior at WCHS, with GEM Director Wayne Jacoby.
 Congratulations to WCBP Alumnus Andrew Kouzema who was recently commissioned as an officer in the US Marine Corps. Andrew will be attending Notre Dame Law School as a second year student and upon completing his law degree will then assume a position in the Judge Advocate General division. Friends and family joined Andrew in Quantico, VA to celebrate, including current WCBP lifeguards Justin Cattan and Anthony LaRose. The WCBP wishes Andrew continued success in the United States Military.
Cliona O'Connor: 1998-2000 We are thrilled to highlight our first female alum, Cliona O'Connor! This spotlight is special, as Cliona wrote to us from across the pond in her native Ireland. As a guard in the late 90's, Cliona left her mark as one of the top female athletes in South Jersey. She was a member of the women's surf dash team as well as an exceptional paddler. We are happy that Cliona has shared with us some of her best memories with the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol! What made you join the beach patrol? I worked as a beach guard in Cork in Ireland and a fellow guard had come to the Crest previously - it sounded so great that I had to check it out with my best friend Steph. What are some of your best memories from your years with the WCBP? Winning our 1st surf dash in the Wildwood Women's Tournament in 1998 was a blast. And winning again the following year, as well as my individual paddle board event was icing on the cake. I have so many great memories from my 3 years on WCBP - the best one's really are the day to day fun we had working out & sitting up in that glorious NJ sunshine. Those burgers from the Alumni BBQ were something to remember too! Followed by those epic brownies from Le Bus.  Tell us about your life after the beach.
Life after the beach is great. I qualified as teacher in Science & PE. Then I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 10 years as a medical sales rep'. Now I am at home bringing up a rowdy bunch of 4 kids. You made them, you look after 'em....isn't that what they say LOL. How has the beach patrol impacted your life? Travelling to the US in the late 90's was such an amazing experience. We immersed ourselves in everything American (when in Rome and all that). With 4 kids it's been a while since I've been trans-Atlantic so I am so grateful that I went when I could. I still am in contact with lots of the friends I made and I have a huge pile of fun memories to draw on when the cold winter sets in over here. Henry "Skip" Flanagan: 1962-1967The lessons and values of the beach patrol have a special way of sticking with you once life has forced you in another direction. That notion holds true with alumnus, Skip Flanagan. After working for the WCBP for six summers, Skip dedicated himself to a career in education and coaching. While earning a Ph.D, Skip studied at some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Presently, Skip serves both as the Dean and Head Lacrosse Coach of the esteemed Avon Old Farms School in Avon, CT. Aside from mentoring countless students over the years, Skip has also built his lacrosse program into a national powerhouse that is routinely ranked among the top 25 high schools in the country.  What made you join the beach patrol? Although I hailed from Maryland, I had grandparents and an aunt and uncle (Dave Snyder of the Wildwood Crest Police Dept.) who lived year round in the Crest. Therefore, my summers, throughout my childhood were always spent in New Jersey. I grew up always looking up to those on the Beach Patrol and hoped that, one day, I would be a guard. As it turned out, I was fortunate enough to experience many years on the stands and as a Lieutenant in the jeep. What are some of your best memories from your years with the WCBP? I recall the excitement that came along with situations that involved rescues where a combination of individual (swimmers) and boats were used. In my many years, this did not happen very often, but when it did it proved to be memorable indeed. On the other extreme, I liked the infrequent days when the weather took us away from the duties on the beach and the vast majority of us were involved in a most competitive game of touch football in the shadow of the Rambler Road Station. The level of play would probably not have gained interest from either Sports Illustrated or ESPN! From a personal standpoint, I was able to serve along with my younger cousin, Tom Snyder, for a couple of seasons. Being with Tom, a really dedicated guard, was a bonus.  Tell us about your life after the beach. For the most part, life after the "beach" included education and study that has kept me in schools and universities ever since. Rutgers, Harvard and Michigan found me toiling away in their collective libraries through the Ph.D level and I served as a Headmaster and Dean at prep schools for 44 years. I still work in that capacity at Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut. Lacrosse remains my sport of choice and I've been fortunate enough to be on the coaching staff for The English National Team in recent World Championships, having previously coached The University of Michigan, The Peddie School, Western Reserve Academy and Avon. I married the "girl" who was so very much a part of my life while I was on the Patrol. Britt and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We have two daughters and five grandchildren, two of whom are in college. She has been the best part of my life and I count my blessings. I managed to link up with a beautiful, intelligent, kind and understanding "trophy wife" from the get go...how lucky is that!  How has the beach patrol impacted your life? I so enjoyed the sense of "brotherhood" within the organization and the feeling of "good will" that we shared. On a more serious light, the notion of preparing for events (rescues) that would only infrequently occur was a good lesson indeed. We all knew that when the time came, we would have to depend on preparation and practice. On balance, it paid off when it was needed! I'd also have to say that getting in shape mentally and physically for the end of the season Lifeguard Championships was good practice for other applications in other fields of endeavor later in life..... I also felt that the "chain of command" helped to teach the importance of taking on more responsibility as one was elevated to a higher position on the patrol. Trying to manage the various personalities, strengths, weaknesses and egos of the various guards while getting the job done and keeping the beach safe was a lesson unto itself sometimes. What advice would you give a young guard today? Cherish your time on the Patrol! The years go far too quickly and the multiple elements of life will come your way soon enough. Know that you must always be willing to be diligent and prepared as your maturity and timely reaction to multiple situations matters greatly. While, in many ways, being on the patrol provides an idyllic summer experience, it also carries with it significant responsibilities. As the Coast Guard's motto, "Semper Paratus".....Always Ready. Indicates, be prepared for all that comes your way through preparation....not a bad lesson for life! |
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