Manchester Honors Its Veterans

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township officials and residents gathered Saturday to honor those who have served at the annual Veterans Day ceremony.

“Thomas Jefferson said, ‘The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.’ Recently, it seems, there are some who have forgotten our liberty has come at the cost of others,” Mayor Kenneth Palmer said in his keynote address. “It is the United States military, both past and present, who allow us to enjoy those rights.”

Arthur M. Wright Jr., chairman of Manchester Township’s Veterans Advisory Committee, offered opening remarks and presented commemorative pins to the many veterans in attendance. Thomas Tedesco of the Veterans Advisory Committee spoke about the importance of America’s youth remembering and honoring those who served.

The event included performances from The Singing Raconteurs, David Nunez on keyboard, and singer Cassidy Gobel. Bagpiper John Giblin provided music as the Manchester Township Police Department Honor Guard performed the presentation of colors. Rev. David Rittinger of Whiting Bible Church offered the invocation and benediction, and veterans in attendance were honored with plaques commemorating their decorated service presented by Geri Oliverie Hennicke of Oliverie Funeral Home. In attendance from the Township Council were Council President Samuel Fusaro, Vice President Craig Wallis, and Councilwoman Joan Brush.

"On behalf of Mayor Palmer and the Township Council, thank you to everyone who attended and participated in creating such a memorable ceremony honoring our veterans," township officials said. "A special thank you goes to the Manchester Department of Recreation and our Veterans Advisory Committee for organizing this annual tradition."

Photos by Gregory Kyriakakis, Manchester Township public information officer