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Marine Corps Major Tim Tormey, an Ocean City High School graduate, will go down in history as the first pilot to land the first aircraft on the USS New York, the Navy’s newest ship — constructed with steel from the rubble of the World Trade Center.

The 32-year-old, who is celebrating his 10th year as a Marine, landed a V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft that combines vertical takeoff and landing capability with the performance of a long-range, traditional, high-speed aircraft, on Oct 26.

Tormey’s place in history came with a little luck. The USS New York requested Squadron 365 to make the first landing, but that squadron did not have a pilot with enough qualifications. So they turned to Tormey, who is stationed in North Carolina with Squadron 266, to fly with seven other members of 365.

“I sort of lucked out,” Tormey said with a laugh. “But we were definitely the first aircraft — period — to land on the New York. I did the first two landings and then handed the controls over to another pilot in the tandem cockpit. We then climbed out of the plane, went into a small tower to watch flight operations and left. It’s a great ship … very futuristic looking. And everyone seemed really excited about being on that ship. We gave them our two squadron patches, and they will be there forever. We’re part of history.”

Music man

Chris Orazi may be coming to a theater near you — or at least his music may.

The 54-year-old Vineland resident scored the David Swajeski-directed fashion documentary “Dressed,” which was screened earlier this month at Tribeca Theaters during the Big Apple Festival in New York City. The full-length independent film tells the story of a young clothing designer who defied the odds of a broken childhood and homelessness to eventually show off his collection at New York Fashion Week.

Orazi’s score is a blend of contemporary styles incorporating Indonesian elements, tying into the story. Produced at Orazi’s CAS Music Productions in Vineland, which specializes in audio production for radio, TV and film, the score took about six months to complete.

“Scoring films is one of the things I enjoy the most,” said Orazi, whose most recent high-profile work included music for the Travel Channel’s “Local Flavor with Joan Cusack.” “I think since the film is full-length, it can easily see it going to broadcast on something like Sundance or Bravo or even get a limited theatrical release. It’s a beautifully shot film, and several high-level designers are interviewed. We’re really proud of our work on it.”

Short stories

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s Professional Development and Recognition Council, in conjunction with the AtlantiCare Foundation, recognized Jennifer Wolf, of Egg Harbor City, as the 2009 Amanda Scholarship Fund recipient. She received a $1,000 scholarship for nursing school. The fund is in honor of the late Amanda Cortopassi, of Mays Landing, a nursing student who died in 2005.

Matthew Coulter, a Vineland High School student, was recognized by Vineland Mayor Robert Romano and Deputy Mayor Joseph Derella for his volunteer work improving the Vineland High School crew team’s home base, the Harris Boathouse, to earn his Eagle Scout ranking from the Boy Scouts of America.

Vineland High School South held a blood drive Friday. About 300 students donated blood in a program conducted by the students.

About 50 Brigantine residents and Richard Stockton College students distributed 500 compact fluorescent bulbs in Brigantine last weekend. The event, organized by Brigantine’s Alex Wenholz, Stockton’s organizer for the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group’s Energy Service Corps, was intended to raise awareness about the energy-efficient bulbs that use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Brian Tidwell, president of the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce, took part in an executive summit panel discussion of strategies and effective insights into corporate challenges in Mount Laurel, Burlington County.

Vineland’s Julian Garcia, 14, was honored as a Youth Volunteer of the Year by the Jersey State Alliance for YMCAs throughout the state. He is particularly active in the STEPS program that teaches nutrition, fitness, teamwork and good health.

Staff Writers Vincent Jackson and Rob Spahr contributed to this report.

Everyone Has a Story appears Sundays and Wednesdays. To share your story, call Scott Cronick at 609-272-7017 or e-mail him at scronick@pressofac.com.

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