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MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
Mayor Ed Trzaska
Deputy Mayor Rich Smith
Patricia Graham
Christine Madrid
Mark Conforti
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| THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017 |
Montgomery Veterans Day 2017
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Marking the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Montgomery Township came together last Saturday to honor its veterans at the Township's Memorial. Braving chilly but sunny weather, the turn-out at Montgomery Veterans Park was among the highest so far for Montgomery's 7th annual Veterans Day Observance. Themes running through the event included appreciation of the honorable role veterans have played in our 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 moving renditions on bag pipe by Mike Ahnell. Soon after, a procession 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.
Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee (MVMC) Chairman and event organizer Michael Maloney, who is a Marine Corps veteran and lay chaplain, offered the invocation and opening remarks. 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. The perpetually empty POW/MIA Chair of Honor was present at the ceremony. As of October, 2017, 82,427 American service members remain unaccounted for.
Others offering reflections included US Congressman Leonard Lance, NJ Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Boy Scout Srikar Surapanen, Girl Scout Julia Garaffa, with closing remarks by Mayor Ed Trzaska and Township Administrator Donato Nieman. Also present were Montgomery Township Committee member Patricia Graham (liaison to the MVMC), former Mayor Donald Matthews (MVMC), and Township Attorney Kristina Hadinger.
Adding a special touch this year, costumed military reenactors from the Civil War and WWII eras 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.
Reenactor Robert Costello, posing as President Abraham Lincoln
, sat silently watching the ceremony, flanked by a guard of civil war soldiers. His presence was particularly fitting, as President Lincoln, during his second inaugural address towards the end of the civil war, said that America's work is: "To bind up the nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan ..." The Memorial location also boasts a "Gettysburg Address Witness Honey Locust" sapling, planted several years ago, grown from the seed of a still living locust tree which born witness to Lincoln's address, 154 years ago.
The ceremony closed with retirement of the Colors and Taps. The first verse of Taps was played trumpet soloist Mati Orlow-Ng, followed by the marching band. A very realistic demonstration of cannon fire using only powder was made by the civil war reenactors group, who took every safety precaution while educating the public.
"Veterans Day is a state of mind and here in Montgomery Township, our remembrance of our Nation's Veterans, their service and great sacrifice is a mindset rooted in action well beyond any 24 hour period found on a calendar," summed up MVMC Chairman Mike Maloney. "We invite and remind everyone to always be mindful of just what has been provided them by our veterans - our yesterday, our today, and our tomorrow, as we know it," he concluded.
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MVMC Committee Chairman and Marine Corps Vet Mike Maloney making opening remarks flanked by (l to r): Vietnam Veteran (US Navy) & Rolling Thunder Rep Joseph Kotch, former Mayor Donald Matthews (MVMC), and Navy Veteran & Master of Ceremonies Peter Rayner (MVMC).
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MONTGOMERY TWP. RECENT NEWS & EVENTS
Blue Pomegranate Art & Music Show 7 pm Tonight
It is our pleasure to inform you that the third and final Blue Pomegranate art and music show of the season is happening on Thursday,...read more
Raritan Valley Community Chorus Concert
Martha Dudich conducting, James Sparks accompanying Join us as we celebrate the season, a sing fest-caroling, wassailing (well, we'll sing about it), a very merry...read more
GPYO Winter Concert December 10
Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra (GPYO) Winter Concert December 10th GPYO presents its annual winter concert, open to public with free admission.The Symphonic and Concert Orchestras...read more
Boy Scout Troop 850 Open House Nov. 20
Calling All Cub Scouts & Other Boys, Come out to the November 20th Troop 850 Open House! Games, Snacks, Friends, Fun! Join the Adventure! Boy...read more
Blood Drive @ MEMS
Montgomery EMS (MEMS) is hosting a Community Blood Drive on Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Montgomery EMS squad...read more
Trinity Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale
December 9th, 10 AM to 3 PM Trinity Church, 1 Park Ave., Rocky Hill, NJ 08553 Get your holiday shopping done. Lots of great baked...read more
Energy Aggregation Program Update
ALL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, PLEASE READ The current 18-month contract with TriEagle Energy under Round 2 of the MCEA program is set to expire in December...read more
"Come Sing With Us"
FREE VOCAL LESSONS PROGRAM FOR WOMEN Jersey Harmony Chorus will be presenting our holiday show, Songs for the Season, on Friday, December 8th, 2017 we...read more
Library Closed Dec 2, 3 & 4
INSTALLATION OF NEW CATALOG SYSTEM All ten Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) branches will be closed December 2, 3, and 4 to...read more
Opioid Crisis Conference Dec. 2
What: Transformation, Leadership & Spirituality in Medicine Conference When: Saturday, December 2, 8:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Where: The Amphitheater at Carrier Clinic, 252 County...read more
Turkey Trot Sun., Nov. 19
Turkey Trot for ages 3 & up! Sunday, Nov 19, 1pm at UMS Track The Turkey Trot is a series of running events for different...read more
Holiday Sing Along Dec 4
Please join us for a festive celebration of the December holiday featuring a sing-along, tree lighting & refreshments. (Remember a camera & flashlight!) The sing...read more
Free Rabies Vax Clinic for Dogs and Cats Nov. 18
In partnership with Montgomery Township Animal Control, there will be a free Rabies Vaccination Clinic for dogs and cats - protect your pet (and your community) on Saturday, November...read more
African American History in the Sourlands
During World War II, Sourland Mountain resident, Verna Nevius Witcher, was the first black woman to enroll in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps - (WAAC) Southern New...read more
Nominations Sought for Outstanding Women Awards
Do you know a Somerset County woman who has made extraordinary contributions to her career field or her community? The Somerset County Commission on the...read more
Reminder on Leaf and Yard Clean-up
Please Do Not Pile Leaves at Street Side or in Gutters Stormwater regulations do not permit leaves/branches/brush to be placed in the road or in...read more
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LIKE OR FOLLOW MONTGOMERY TWP:
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Frequently Used Phone Numbers
Main Offices : 908-359-8211
Police (Emergency) : 9-1-1 or 908-359-3222
Recreation : 609-466-3023
Rec Sports Field Hotline: 800-731-8412
Senior Center : 609-466-0846
Food Pantry : 609-466-1054
Dept. of Public Works : 908-874-3144
Kid Connection : 908-359-2111
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Please note that email correspondence with the Township is a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act.
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