Veterans, seniors gathered at Bordentown Township Municipal Building on Saturday
By: Eve Collins
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP Accompanied by the Bordentown Regional High School Band and members of the local senior center, officials praised the nation’s troops in a rally Saturday.
"We are here to recognize those in the military who serve to protect, defend, and provide security all over the world," said Mayor George Chidley.
About 50 people attended the ceremony in front of the war memorial outside the municipal building. Members of the high school band played the national anthem and "God Bless America" to start and end the event.
Mayor Chidley was joined by Deputy Mayor Mark Roselli, Committeemen Gerald Boyer and Bruce Hill and state Assemblymen Joe Malone and Ronald Dancer, R-30th, along with Andrew Law, commander of American Legion Post 26.
"It is not hard to see the courage of the men and women who have battled to ensure our freedom so that we can have events like this," Mr. Roselli said. "We continue to thank the men and women who protect our borders. They are the true heroes of today."
Mr. Hill, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, expressed his pride for the nation’s military. "Let’s never forget what they’ve done for us," he said.
Assemblyman Malone noted that the voices heard the least are from the troops.
"People make a lot of speeches, especially when the country is at war," he said. "But the people who make the (fewest) speeches are those who are in battle. They quietly come back and get their lives back together."
The Township Committee members then read all the names of the troops who were killed during the war with Iraq.
Resident Leonard DeGroot, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1988, said the Township Committee was to be congratulated for the event. Mr. DeGroot stood up along with other veterans to be honored at the event.
"They’ll never know how the servicemen appreciate this," he said.

