Veterans Honored In Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, NJ — Veterans were honored in Montgomery Veterans Park last Saturday as part of the township's 7th annual observance.

Themes running through the event included appreciation of the honorable role veterans have played in the country and township history and awareness of the issues veterans face today.

“Montgomery is named for General Richard Montgomery, who fought bravely for this country’s freedom and fell during the battle of Quebec during the Revolutionary War in 1775. Our Memorial is here to pays tribute to every known Montgomery resident who has given military service to our country since that time – we thank you,” said Mayor Ed Trzaska.

The event began with a bag pipe performance by Mike Ahnell followed by a procession that moved down Harlingen Road towards the Memorial, led by the Montgomery High School Marching Band and Color Guard, directed by music teacher Kawika Kahalehoe.

The band was followed by Township boy scouts from both Troop 46 and 850, Cub Packs 185 and 850, and girl scouts from Troops 61215, 60193 and 600099, who later offered special pins to all veterans at the ceremony.

First responders and equipment from Fire Companies 45 and 46 and Montgomery EMS closed the procession.

The invocation and opening remarks were offered by Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee (MVMC) Chairman and event organizer Michael Maloney, who is a Marine Corps veteran and lay chaplain.

MVMC member Peter Rayner, a Navy Veteran and retired Administrator of Montgomery Township, served as Master of Ceremonies.

The event’s guest speaker was Rolling Thunder representative Joseph Kotch, a Vietnam War veteran who served a total of eight years in the Navy. Rolling Thunder is a national veteran’s support organization committed to helping veterans of all American Wars and educating the public on POW-MIA issues.

Others offering reflections included US Congressman Leonard Lance, NJ Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Boy Scout Srikar Surapanen, Girl Scout Julia Garaffa, Mayor Ed Trzaska, and Township Administrator Donato Nieman. Also present was Montgomery Township Committee member Patricia Graham (liaison to the MVMC), former Mayor Donald Matthews (MVMC), and Township Attorney Kristina Hadinger.

Costumed military re-enactors from the Civil War and WWII eras also set up realistic encampments and equipment, including jeeps and a MASH-style first aid tent organized by Dr. Harel Rosen (MVMC). Reenactor groups included the 6th New York Artillery, 9th Division WWII Historical Preservation Society, and 45th Infantry Division Reenactor Venturing Crew/WWII Recreation Association.

The ceremony closed with Retirement of the Colors and Taps. The first verse of Taps was played by trumpet soloist Mati Orlow-Ng, followed by the marching band. A demonstration of cannon fire using only powder was also made by the civil war reenactors group.

(Images via Tamara D. Garaffa)

Photo 1 - Civil war reenactors demonstrated a cannon blast sans cannon ball to close the 2017 Montgomery Twp. Veterans Day Observance on Nov. 11.

Photo 2 - MVMC Committee Chairman and Marine Corps Veteran Mike Maloney making opening remarks flanked by (l to r): Vietnam Veteran (US Navy) and Rolling Thunder Rep. Joseph Kotch (guest speaker); former Mayor Donald Matthews (MVMC); and Navy Veteran & Master of Ceremonies Peter Rayner (MVMC).

Photo 3 - A view of the Montgomery Veterans Memorial, built in 2011, just prior to Saturday’s ceremony.

For the full photo album CLICK HERE.

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