BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – A crowd of people gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on the overcast day to remember the fallen on Memorial Day and to be together in community after months of restrictions during the pandemic.
As flags blew in the breeze, speakers highlighted the importance of remembrance on Memorial Day. Dennis Ryan, the master of ceremonies and Memorial Day Committee Chairman, said the theme for this year’s ceremony is “Remember and Respect!”
Ryan credits the Veterans Memorial Park Committee led by Ted Romankow for keeping the park in pristine condition with fresh plantings, as well as Carolyn George of the Recreation Department, members of the VFW Post 6259 and the many volunteers who made the ceremony possible.
Ryan also recognized the township council members in attendance including Councilmen Manny Couto, Jeff Varnerin, and Stephen Yellin, and Councilwoman Gentiana Brahimaj. Also standing in attention were many members of the Berkeley Heights Police Department, Berkeley Heights Volunteer Fire Department, and the Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Memorial Day is set aside by Congress as a time to pause and remember those in all wars who have given their lives in the service of our country. “May God bless our men and women in uniform, soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have stood and continue to stand in harm’s way. For their steadfast devotion to duty, honor and country, we, the American people, offer them and their families our humble gratitude, our heartfelt thanks for those who have moved beyond this life,” said Ryan.
Mayor Angie Devanney thanked the members of the Memorial Day Committee for the beautiful tribute to our veterans. She also reminded the community to take a few moments to notice the Hometown Hero banners hung around town.
“Today, Memorial Day, we are pausing to honor the military personnel who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms,” said Devanney. “I also want to take a moment to reflect on our armed forces that have been serving to protect us against the COVID-19 health crisis and global pandemic.”
“The theme of the 2021 Memorial Day is ‘Remember and Respect,’ which reminds me of a quote from Elmer Davis, news reporter, author and a Peabody Award recipient. This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. On Memorial Day, we remember the fallen, and we respect those who are still with us today. The brave still stands with us today. So we will never forget the brave who have sacrificed for our freedom. So thank you to the members of the VFW 6259. We are grateful for your service and all you do for our veterans. And thank you to our police officers who have served our country and continue to protect and serve.”
Devanney introduced this year’s Grand Marshal Joseph Federico, who has been a resident of Berkeley Heights for the past 56 years and married to his wife Sylvia for 65 years. Federico is a life member of VFW post 6259, a six-year veteran of the US Air Force and served overseas in Korea. He is a life member of the Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad, “having served almost 19 years helping the people of Berkeley Heights when they needed help the most,” said Devanney.
“I’m honored to be the Memorial Day Grand Marshal, and also to participate in their memorial service.
But most of all, I’m proud to be a veteran of the United States Air Force and the opportunity to serve my country. I thank everyone for being here today. And God Bless America,” said Frederico.
On this Memorial Day, citizens are encouraged to “Pause and Remember” those veterans who have sacrificed the most — our Hometown Heroes. VFW Post 6259 commander Al Campora continued the practice of honoring the Berkeley Heights veterans who passed since last Memorial Day, in addition he recognized the names inscribed on the World War II monument. VFW member Tom Lombardi rang the bell in remembrance.
Campora’s Memorial Day message included the presentation of the Battlefield Grave Marker. He also read two meaningful posts he saw from the commander of the state VFW and a comrade and friend.
The commander’s statement read, “This Memorial Day, we join together, whether it is face to face or holding in mind and spirit, we remember their names, their faces and their service legacy so that their sacrifices are never forgotten. Memorial Day is a rare day of opportunity to give thanks to all we have been blessed with. Even though the significance of this day becomes at times confused or distorted, and the true meaning is sometimes lost in commercialism and drowns in forgetful indulgence — those of us who are here today recognize the magnitude of the accomplishment and the needs of men and women who held the idea that evil and tyranny was not and will not prevail. Always remember and never forget.”
The second reading from a comrade and friend said, “This [holiday] is not about all that have served, that comes later in the Fall. This one is in honor of those who paid in life, in blood. Whose moms never saw them again, whose dads wept in private, whose wives raise kids alone, and whose kids only remember them in pictures. This isn’t simply a day off. This is a date to remember. — This is freedom.”
Campora then reminded the crowd of the history of Memorial Day. This day wasn’t always called Memorial Day, he said. It started in upstate New York in a town called Waterloo three years after the Civil War and was called Decoration Day. A retired Army general decided he was going to honor those dead from the Civil War with flowers. Shortly after World War I, it was recognized as a memorial to all those that served and died in any war that Americans were involved in. It wasn’t until 1967 that President Johnson officially named it Memorial Day instead of Decoration Day — celebrated on May 30 — and then later became the last Monday in May. Congress created a three-day weekend encompassing Memorial Day through the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
Lastly, Campora educated the crowd about the National Moment of Remembrance Act passed by Congress on December 15,2000. This Act officially designated “the minute beginning at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day each year as the National Moment of Remembrance. Campora led the Moment of Remembrance at the VFW barbecue later that afternoon.
Take a stroll or drive through town and read the names on the Hometown Hero banners that include familiar names of neighbors and relatives. Experience the beauty of the park adorned with American flags throughout its flower beds and the memorial wreath that stand by the five monuments — and observe the memory of the deceased members of the military who fought for our freedom. You are reminded to “Pause and Remember,” not only on this day, but throughout the year.
The ceremony opened with the invocation and dedication prayers by George Betz, Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Pledge of Allegiance. Performing Arts 5678 Performance sang the national anthem. The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps by GL Highlander musician Uriel Ministro and “Amazing Grace” by GL Highlander bagpiper Brandon Lim while the wreath was placed among the monuments. The annual Berkeley Heights Memorial Day Ceremony formally ended with a benediction by Rev. Matthew Dooley, Parochial Vicar Little Flower Roman Catholic Church.
The ceremony was presented by the Memorial Day Committee: Al Campora, Jerry Barter, Thomas Lombardi, Carolyn George, Ted Romankow and Dennis Ryan.
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