Remembering and honoring veterans
Crowd of 200 gathers
for borough’s memorial
ceremony Saturday
RED BANK — For those attending Saturday’s Veterans Day memorial service, the message is as true now as it was when the armistice ending World War I was signed in 1917: Freedom is not free.
Approximately 200 people attended the service held at the Veterans Memorial Monument, 51 Monmouth St., to pay tribute to those who wore the nation’s uniform and defended the country in war and peace.
"It’s a cold morning but there’s a lot of warm hearts here," said Borough Council President Pasquale Menna.
"This is a tribute for so many who have safeguarded democracy," Menna said.
"This day was for the sacrifice of so many young men who served in World War I," he said. "Young people today do not know the names of Verdun, the Somme," and other battlegrounds of that war Menna named.
Veterans Day was established as Armistice Day to honor and acknowledge the end of what was then optimistically labeled "The War To End All Wars."
In 1954 Congress renamed it Veterans Day to honor all of those who served.
"Americans have always answered the call of duty at home and in foreign lands," said Robert J. Wolley, the exalted ruler of Red Bank Elks Lodge No. 233. "Their ultimate sacrifice reminds us of the cost of freedom."
The principal address was given by Brig. Gen. Michael Mazzucchi, deputy to the commanding general for systems acquisition and director of CECOM Systems Management Center at Fort Monmouth, Eatontown.
Mazzucchi also continued the traditional theme of honoring those who had served, but also those who are continuing to serve.
"Veterans Day is a special and unique day for Americans — the day we take time to honor and appreciate the sacrifices that were made," Mazzucchi said.
"Combat veterans are, of course, the first we think of on this day," he said. "We must also appreciate those men and women serving in today’s military who will be tomorrow’s veterans."
To open the ceremony, Joseph Minnella of Middletown sang an a cappella rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and closed the day’s ceremony with "God Bless America."
In a long-standing borough tradition, a number of local civic groups placed floral arrangements around the veterans monument. About 19 arrangements were donated by such groups as the Red Bank Elks, American Legion Post No. 168, the police and fire departments, the Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary and Woman’s clubs of Red Bank, as well as other organizations.
Stuart A. Edington, commander of Red Bank American Legion Post 168, said he was pleased by the turnout considering the blustery day.
Traditionally, about 500 people attend the Memorial Day and Veterans Day services, he said.
"In Red Bank, we have been increasing," Edington said. "We would have had more but for the weather."