Events to honor veterans

Programs scheduled for today and Sunday

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   During World War II, Kendall Park resident Dan Stern, 84, flew 32 missions in a B-17 Flying Fortress as part of the Army Air Corps 483rd Bombardment Group H out of Italy.
   Today (Thursday), he’ll share his story as part of the township’s celebration of Veterans Day.
   Residents will have two opportunities to pay tribute to the service of the America’s fighting men and women this week.
   Today, the township Senior Center will host a program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in observance of the holiday. The event will feature a color guard presentation by members of South Brunswick’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9111, led by VFW Commander Al Kady.
   Patriotic songs will be played for the crowd, as well as a rendition of taps performed on the trumpet by Nate Roherbach of Boy Scout Troop 10.
   In addition, Dan Choman, 81, of South Brunswick, will read an original poem called “Saluting Hero Veterans with the American Flag.” Mr. Choman was a seaman in the Navy during World War II.
   Mr. Stern said he would be speaking primarily about a particular mission classified as “extra hazardous,” that he flew.
   The township will also hold a ceremony on the actual holiday, Sunday. The gathering will held at the Municipal Building at 11 a.m.
   This event will feature members of VFW Post 9111, as well as the firing of guns, placing of wreaths, and playing of taps to honor fallen heroes.
   Mr. Kady said the ceremony will be attended by the mayor and members of the Township Council, as well as the Rev. John H. Maltby of the Miller Memorial Presbyterian Church and Rabbi Mendy Carlebach of Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick.
   ”We usually get a nice turnout at this ceremony; it is a very good program,” Mr. Kady said. “I know it is a church day, but I hope people will still come out for us.”