WESTFIELD — Though most of this year’s Memorial Day parades were rained out, local residents were still invited to gather at the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) on Monday for a traditional, solemn ceremony sponsored by Westfield’s Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3.
Holy Trinity deacon Keith Gibbons, who also serves as the Westfield Police Department chaplain and as a trustee of the Westfield Veterans Fund, led the ceremony.
The ceremony began with Jack Panosh ringing the clock tower bells. The Westfield Police Honor Guard and Westfield Fire Honor Guard performed the presentation of colors, followed by the Pledge ofAllegiance.
Kerry Stubbs, a professional vocalist, sang the National Anthem followed by “America the Beautiful.”
PastorAlison V. Philip of the FUMC led the ceremony’s opening prayer.
Mayor Shelley Brindle stated that she was proud of Westfield and the work that the community is doing to combat homelessness among local veterans, referencing a redevelopment project that was approved for the American Legion hall last September.
The plan is to repurpose the current Legion hall, located at 1003 North Avenue West, by upgrading its facilities, creating a banquet hall, adding 22 units of housing for homeless and/ or disabled veterans, and providing space for a full-time on-site Veteran Affairs representative.
“Let us honor these heroes by engaging in our community, supporting our veterans and upholding the values of freedom and democracy they fought to protect and defend,” Mayor Brindle said.
Vietnam war nurse and U.S. Army Colonel Mary Jo Rice-Mahoney also gave her remarks at the ceremony. Ms. Rice-Mahoney is honored at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., after serving 15 years on active duty in places such as Vietnam and Iran, and 15 years in the Reserve 322nd General Hospital, Picatinny Arsenal, where she served as chief nurse. Ms. Rice-Mahoney is the recipient of multiple military awards earned throughout her 30year career and holds a Lifetime Membership in the Vietnam Veterans Association ofAmerica. She also was the 1994 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award in Healthcare from the Union County Commission on the Status of Women.
“Any American who has died in service to our country is a hero, and should always be remembered that way,” Ms. Rice-Mahoney said. “I believe that no one really stops living if we share memories of them often. Every time we share a memory of someone, we bring them back to life, if only for that moment. Combining all those moments can then be a treasure- trove of comfort.”
Patrick Carey, the Westfield Fire Department’s resident bagpiper, performed “Amazing Grace” for the crowd. Dr. Ted Schlosberg, from the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, performed “Taps.”
Major Shawn Mullen, senior vice commander and judge advocate of American Legion Post 3, conducted the introduction of Grand Marshal Jack Ford, a United States Army veteran who has been a member ofAmerican Legion Post 3 for more than 50 years. Mr. Ford served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded a Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars for his efforts against the Tet offensive.
“Today we pay tribute and respect to all the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice: life for their country,” Mr. Ford said. “This is why we’re free in America.”
Deacon Gibbons led the closing prayer. Mr. Stubbs sang “God Bless America,” and the ceremony concluded with another ringing of the clock tower bells.
There was a service held at Fairview Cemetery over the gravesites of service members who lost their lives, which was open for the public to attend. There was also a picnic held that afternoon at Post 3, also open to the public, followed by another service.
