05/25/2026
On this Memorial Day, we remember, honor and pray for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Since WWI, America has lost over 700,000 military men and women to protect our freedoms. You may take some time to walk Ballard Park in Pitman next to the library. There is a stone for each of these three Pitman men, former Good Shepherd parishioners, as well as 39 others from this small town who we remembered this weekend.
Sgt. Raymond Fuller
Ray was a lifetime member of Good Shepherd. He enlisted in the army and after training he was assigned to the Pacific Theater. He died in Burma on July 20, 1945. Ray is one of 22 Pitman boys to give their lives in WWII. He is resting in Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. He is survived presently by his son Ray and his niece, Barbara Elliot.
Lt. James Snodgrass
Jim was also a lifetime member of Good Shepherd. He enlisted in the Army in 1943 at 18 years of age and was part of the first wave of soldiers to hit the beaches at Normandy, France on the morning of June 6, 1944. He led his platoon first onto Utah Beach. Having survived WWII with several medals including a Bronze w/clusters, a Silver and the Purple Heart, he returned home. There, he founded the Pitman Armory, now abandoned, on Delsea Drive. He again was called to duty in the Korean War. He was killed near the Chinese border on November 28, 1950, when the Chinese came into the war with hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Jim was one of 6 to give their lives from Pitman in Korea. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in the same section as General Pershing and Ira Hayes, who was one of the famous flag raisers on Mt Surabachi, Iwo Jima. He is survived by 4 daughters, Kim and Eileen in Hawaii, Lynn in northern NJ and Jeannie in FL.
Sgt. Sandrino Plutino
Sandrino spent his youth at Good Shepherd. Known as the likable, smiling Sandrino, he was an acolyte here for many years. His handprint is on a large banner on the wall going downstairs to the church school. Sandrino entered the Army in 2004 immediately upon college graduation with a degree in criminology. This was his response to America being attacked on September 11, 2001. Completing basic training, he entered the next level as he was accepted and completed becoming an Army Ranger. He served his country with great honor. He served 2 tours in Iraq and 2 tours of duty in Afghanistan. He was killed during this 2nd tour in Afghanistan on August 8, 2011. Sandrino is 1 of 2 Pitman boys that have lost their lives in the war on terror. Hopefully, he is the last. He is survived by his parents Sandro and Diane and his sister Brenna Rae. His fiancé, Natalie, has since married a fine gentleman. Sandrino is resting in Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery
