America’s war dead were honored during ceremonies held at Jackson’s Melvin Cottrell Center for Senior Citizens and the Disabled on May 28.
Veterans (top) salute as colors are presented during a Memorial Day ceremony in Jackson. Lt. Col. Christopher Collett (l), commander of the 57th Weapons Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, addresses the audience. Members of Jackson’s Air Force JROTC Honor Guard (above) perform a flag folding ceremony during the program. Memorial Day was May 31.
Sheila Flamm, who organized the event with senior center program Director Sheri Silversmith, said, “We proudly remember our family and friends who have served our country in every branch of service on foreign and domestic soil and in adverse conditions that most of us cannot fully comprehend.
“The majority of Americans have safe and comfortable homes, clean water to drink, and adequate food and clothing, and Americans enjoy the freedom of speech, religion and expression which would not be possible without this country’s veterans,” said Flamm.
Flamm thanked the veterans who were in attendance and said their service to the nation is appreciated.
Master of ceremonies Jean Orenstein welcomed all of the guests to the event.
“And I thank and honor all those who kept the home fires burning,” said Orenstein. “Without the home fires burning, [the service members] would not have a reason to fight.”
During the invocation, octogenarian Mae Harley said Americans need to be reminded of the gift of freedom and to make sure that future generations know life in a free and democratic society.
“Our children must know who [the service members] were, what they did and why they did it. To do anything less would be a disservice to their sacrifice,” said Harley. “We must never waver in the path of freedom and democracy.”
PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN The NJ-782 Air Force Junior ROTC Honor Guard, composed of students from Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty high schools, presented the colors, while members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars joined in leading the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jackson Memorial High School student Loryn Bono sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Veteran Vincent Rubio told the story of the 1862 musical selection known as “taps” in which a Union soldier risked his life to save the life of a Confederate soldier. The Union soldier was unaware that the Confederate soldier was already dead.
Rubio said the Union soldier later found out that the Confederate soldier was his son who had been studying music in the south for a period of time and then joined the Confederate Army.
He said that the next day, a bugler was asked to play a series of notes that had been found in the younger man’s pocket. Those notes became the melody to the piece that came to be called “taps.”
Rubio then gave an update about Jackson’s Operation One of Our Own. He explained that a 26- year-old veteran of the war in Iraq needed a service dog. The veteran lives in Jackson and was told by the Veterans Administration that it could take seven to 10 years to get a service dog. Rubio said.
Community organizations in Jackson came together to form the 501 association in order to raise the $8,000 needed to get the service dog for the veteran.
Rubio said in three months more than double that amount of money was raised. The funds will be used to obtain and train a dog for the Jackson veteran and to do the same thing for a second veteran.
“I want to thank the community in Jackson and all of the clubs for what they have done,” Rubio said.
Mayor Michael Reina thanked the veterans and read a proclamation.
“It is important on Memorial Day to cherish the memories of our friends and family members,” said the mayor. “[We must remember] those who have died and their contributions that have made our lives better.”
Veteran Andrew Ortalano sang “God Bless America.”
Guest speaker Lt. Col. Christopher Collett, commander of the 57th Weapons Squadron, Joint Base-McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, thanked the guests for sharing their time to remember those who died in service to the nation.
“Memorial Day is a day to remember our service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country, whether in battle or support of combat operations or having died in the line of duty just doing their jobs,” said Collett. “It is also a day to reflect on knowing these sacrifices come because your military is protecting this nation and all that it stands for. It remains continuously ready to do so.”
Collett said Memorial Day is also a day of gratitude for all that has been given on Americans’ behalf by the nation’s fallen service members who served the country with honor and distinction.
Collett said that after the Civil War, northern and southern communities honored their war heroes by closing businesses, flying the flag at half-staff and draping headstones in cemeteries in memory of those who fought in the war.
It was a veterans organization on May 5, 1868, that organized and sought acceptance for the first Decoration Day, said Collett.
After World War I, Memorial Day was expanded to honor all of the individuals who died in all wars, he said.
In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday.
“Starting with the American Revolution to the Civil War, World War I and World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Persian Gulf and today’s operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, America’s forces have built a tradition of honorable and faithful service to our nation,” said Collett.
He named the individuals who died overseas during the past year.
“Our nation will not forget these airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines,” said Collett.
With a moment of silence to honor those who died and a flag folding ceremony presented by Maj. Mike Macagnone and the Jackson JROTC Honor Guard, and the playing of “Taps,” the ceremony concluded.