A day to honor veterans

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   South Brunswick will recognize Veterans Day on Tuesday with a ceremony to honor those who have served the nation in uniform.
   Ceremonies will be held in front of the Municipal Building on Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction, beginning at 11 a.m.
   The event will feature a wreath-laying ceremony, as well as remarks from local elected officials, according to Al Kady, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9111, on Henderson Road. Mr. Kady said Mayor Frank Gambatese, members of the Township Council, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, the Board of Education, local clergy and retired military personnel will attend the ceremonies.
   Mr. Kady said the high school marching band will perform patriotic songs and taps, which will be played in commemoration for veterans who have died. He said the South Brunswick Police Department’s color guard will also be at the ceremony.
   A federal holiday, originally known as Armistice Day, the day marks the end of World War I, when at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918, the Germans signed the armistice, which ended major hostilities in the Great War. The holiday was changed in the 1950s to commemorate all those who have served in the American armed forces.
   ”This is an important day to all veterans,” Mr. Kady said. “We honor those who gave such a supreme sacrifice so that all of us could live in a free land.”
   In addition to the event at the Municipal Building, Buckingham Place on Raymond Road will also host a presentation on the history of the United States’ flag on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Gerry McCavera, of the Freedom’s Foundation, will cover topics like the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, the 13 points of flag etiquette, and flag myths and facts.
   The event is open to the public. To RSVP, call 732-329-8888.