The Friends of Tun Tavern 

Founding Members

​

Kevin Ellicott - retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Marine Corps Reserves after 24 years of combined active and reserve service.  He deployed as part of Headquarters NATO in Sarajevo Bosnia, 2 deployments to Kosovo and 2 combat tours in Iraq, where he was awarded both a Purple Heart and a Navy Achievement Award with a combat "V" for Valor. Kevin currently volunteers his time serving on the Board of Directors for the Balanced Veteran Network, a nonprofit organization serving disabled veterans, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as a Chapter Service Officer, and he is the President of the Jersey Devil Chapter of the Leathernecks Nation Motorcycle Club.  

Nicholas Asselta – a former New Jersey State Assemblyman who is most known for his advocacy of New Jersey’s veterans.  In honor of his late brother who lost his life in the line of duty, Asselta dedicated his entire public service career to fighting for veterans benefits in the State of New Jersey. He is Vice Chair of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum, recognizing the valor of New Jersey’s Veterans and the sacrifices of their families and communities while learning by exploring the Vietnam War Era.

Tom Forkin – has built a career serving residents and communities in public and private sectors. He has stood with elected officials in the City of Philadelphia and Harrisburg to fight for policies that improve the overall quality of life for Philadelphians and its businesses. Tom is an attorney who has helped community development corporations with the construction of a new community center, community theater, and handled several successful zoning cases as a private attorney. 

Joe Griffes – a Vietnam veteran who hosts a radio show dedicated to veterans on Ocean City radio said station WIBG. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, a Cardinal Dougherty High School graduate and attended St. Joseph’s University. He served in the Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, 4th Division Infantry.