The Sayreville Historical Society invites you to a memorable event 80 years in the making on May 3, 2025, from 1-3pm at the Sayreville Active Adult Center 423 Main Street, Sayreville: “Operation Snow Cone”.

In 2024, the Sayreville Historical Society received a collection of letters written by Sayreville service members during World War II written to Danny O’Brien, owner of Danny’s Spa and Luncheonette located at 75 Main Street Sayreville. He wrote service members for photographs he could display in an album. He received more than 200 letters, postcards, and photographs. Kristen O’Brien Neymarc, Danny’s granddaughter, discovered these letters stored in a tin box and offered the collection to the Historical Society.

The actual letters, hidden away for 80 years, will be on display for the first time in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on May 8th. Perhaps your grandfather, father, uncle or brother are among the letters we have in our collection?

The name for the project came from a letter by one soldier serving in Belgium who tried to mimic Danny’s ice cream with snow but failed miserably.

The society scanned and organized all the letters and former Sayreville resident Chris Nieratko published them in a hard cover book that will be available at our program.

The event will feature reading several letters; a display of the original letters, and a read-through of a play written by Kristen O’Brien Neymarc by local actors portraying Danny and the soldiers. Children will have an opportunity to chat with local veterans and write letters to current veterans at local facilities.

Light refreshments, including snow cones and popcorn, will be available. Military vehicles will be on display as well as photos from Danny’s in the 1940s. If you would like to display your family’s military heirlooms at this event, please contact Frank Terzino Sr. at 732-379-1369. Space is limited.

While the event is free, we are accepting non-perishable food items to donate to the Sayreville Food Bank.