Honoring Those Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice

Instead of having a Grand Marshal for this year's Memorial Day Parade, Franklin Lakes is honoring the 13 men from Franklin Lakes who died in service to this country. 

Colonel Gilliam Van Houten
May 6, 1863, Fredricksberg, Va.
Civil War

Colonel Gilliam Van Houten was from a prominent North Jersey family. He was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, Va. on May 4, 1863 and taken prisoner by the Rebel Army, according to historical documents found online. 

Borough records state he died of wounds received near Salem Church outside of Fredricksburg, Va.. He is buried in the Van Houten Cemetery, which is tucked between two homes off a side street near the High Mountain Golf Course. 

PFC. Zachariah Masker
Oct. 12, 1918, Battle of Bois D’Ormont East of Verdun
World War I

Zachariah Masker was born in Campgaw (a section of Franklin Lakes that predates the borough's founding in 1922) to a family of early American Pioneers. Zack was working as a caretaker on the MacKenzie Estate on Franklin Lake, and living at Crystal Lake (an old area of Franklin Lakes) with his sister, Catherine Israel,when he was drafted into World War I, according to historical information supplied by Doug Nerilack of VFW Post 5702. 

PFC Masker served as a machine gunner in Company D of the 114th Regiment, 57th Brigade, 29th Division. After several months on the front lines, he went over a bunker in the Battle of Bois D’ Ormont East of Verdun and got his gun into action, when he was struck in the shoulder with a one-pound shell. He died  on Oct. 12, 1918. His company lost 24 men that day, and 76 were wounded. 

A memorial to him was built on the banks of Crystal Lake, however, it was displaced to make room for Routes 208 and 287. He is buried in the Dutch Reformed cemetery in Wyckoff, where a memorial tree was also planted in his honor. 

2nd Lt. Albert Spickers
Oct. 3, 1942, Akron, Ohio 
World War II 

Albert Spickers was the son of a prominent Paterson surgeon and grandson of a Paterson piano maker who is credited with developing the upright piano. A graduate of Newark Academy, Spickers was studying piano at Wesleyan University when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp.

After earning his pilot's wings on July 25, 1942, he was training on the B-26-B Martin Marauder bomber at Baer Field, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as part of the 442nd Bomb Squadron of the 320th Bomb Group.

On Oct. 3, 1942, Albert was acting as co-pilot on an instrument and navigation training mission to Akron, Ohio, where the plane's right engine had trouble on the return flight. On take off, the engine burst into flames, causing the plane to roll. It hit the ground inverted and exploded killing all seven on board. He is interred in Cedar Lawn Cemetery.

Regrettably, the stories of the 10 other men from Franklin Lakes who died in service to this country could not be located. If you have additional information, please tell us! Contact Patch Editor  Rebecca.Abma@patch.com.

On Monday, the VFW will unveil a plaque in honor of all 13 men. Here is it's inscription: 

This memorial plaque is presented by the members and officers of VFW Post 5702 to the people of Franklin Lakes New Jersey, in memory of our residents who died during time of war in service to the United States of America.

 CIVIL WAR 
Gilliam Van Houten 

WORLD WAR I  
Zachariah Masker 

WORLD WAR II  
Andrew DeGroat
William A. Mills
Otto F. Moeller
Cornelius Ricker
Albert Spickers
Neal Van Seters 

KOREA 
Curt O. Lechler 

VIETNAM 
David E. Beers
Edward M. Crotzer
Joseph F. DeCrosta
Bradley R. Degenaars