Presentation and unveiling of engraved memorial bricks will be highlight
By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
At 10 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 11), there will be a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial site, on the Alliger tract near the Hopewell Township municipal complex off Route 546 (Washington-Crossing-Pennington Road).
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Public Works garage, just west of the municipal building.
Sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association, the event will feature:
— Welcoming remarks by Pennington resident Col. Kenneth Baker, president, Hopewell Valley Veterans Association;
— Presentation of national colors by the Hopewell Valley Color Guard;
— National anthem by Hopewell singer Wenonah Brooks;
— Pledge of Allegiance, U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, headquartered at the Lawrence Armory, Eggerts Crossing Road;
— Invocation by retired Col. Robert Shaub, former pastor of Titusville Presbyterian Church;
— Veterans Day remarks, Col. Baker;
— Remarks, mayors of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough;
— Presentation of the engraved memorial bricks by township residents and veterans Sevy Di Cocco, Tom Blair and Joe Kianka;
— Unveiling of engraved memorial bricks by veterans Bill Meytrott of Pennington and Robert Kraeger, of Hopewell Township, with reading of “Certificate of Honor” by Mr. Blair;
— Wreath presentation by veterans Morgan Van Hise of Titusville, Mr. Blair and Fred Van Liew of Hopewell;
— Recognition of Hopewell Valley veterans by Col. Baker;
— The singing of “God Bless America”;
— Benediction by Col. Shaub.
Those planning to attend should bring lawn chairs and park at the Public Works Building. There will be accommodations for the handicapped. Those who have served or are serving in the armed forces are urged to wear uniforms, if possible.
THE ENGRAVED MEMORIAL BRICKS, noted above, are part of the Memorial Brick Walk.
Currently under way is the “Buy-A-Brick Campaign” — an ongoing project through which citizens can support and honor veterans, from any conflict, and “have the satisfaction of knowing your gift has contributed toward this memorial,” according to a Veterans Association spokesman.
Bricks cost $100 each and can be purchased by calling 737-6681. Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, more bricks will be installed and dedicated. The Nov. 11 ceremony will mark the installation of the first 98 bricks.
According to Paul Pogorzelski, township administrator/engineer, the 98 engraved bricks have been installed for the unveiling, but “we have room for ,000 engraved bricks.”
Mr. Pogorzelski said the 167-acre Alliger tract “was preserved using Green Acres funding. The tract is intended for both active and passive recreation uses. Active recreation and parking facilities are limited in location to areas south of Woolsey Brook and its wetland boundaries. The Veterans Memorial is an addition . . . that helps bring public interest to this unique open space. The tract has unique features that are not well known, such as the historic Mercer Somerset Railroad, the bed of which can still be used for taking walks.
”Planning for the use of the entire tract has not been undertaken, nor has a formal name for the tract been selected by the Township Committee. The Veterans Memorial is only one part of the end use of the tract,” Mr. Pogorzelski said.
The Veterans Memorial was sited in a nonwooded area of the tract, which is surrounded by a grove of evergreen trees, “creating a bucolic and respective setting for the memorial. Its design is that of a compass, a mainstay of the soldier, with its cardinal points marked and true north oriented through the American flag,” Mr. Pogorzelski said.
Site development plans, explained Mr. Pogorzelski, involve three phases:
— Phase I — The basic construction including the site grading, drainage, concrete work, brick work, stone wall construction, cap stone installation for the stone wall, and flag pole installation. The stone wall and flagpole installation were competed after Memorial Day.
The centerpiece for the memorial also is included in Phase I. It will likely be a sculpture or art form — something to be decided by the Veterans Association. Remaining in Phase I is the installation of the cap stone and the purchase and installation of the centerpiece.
— Phase II — The installation of a 42-space parking lot with paving and handicapped accessible walkways to the Veterans Memorial, installation of stone piers defining the memorial entrance, landscaping around the memorial and lighting for the American flag so it may be flown 24/7. A Small Cities Grant application has been filed for this work.
— Phase III — Current plans include some form of building where gatherings may occur to promote the memorial and park as a whole.