2a439e17e7c7818c487c5cf8b6bf0161.jpg

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A day to remember

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
   A total of around 200 people attended two annual Memorial Day ceremonies at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9111 in Kendall Park and the American Legion Post 401 in Monmouth Junction.
   Mayor Frank Gamabtese, a veteran himself, was the main speaker at both ceremonies.
   ”(Today is) a day of sorrow and a day of remembrance,” Mr. Gambatese said.
   Mr. Gambatese said the holiday goes back 143 years to the end of the Civil War and formerly was known as Decoration Day to honor the more than 600,000 union and confederate soldiers killed in that war.
   He also noted that among the dead were 400 female combat soldiers who fought in the war as well. According to Mr. Gambatese, some even had to volunteer with a man’s name to be able to fight.
   ”I don’t think we give enough credit to the women who have died in our wars,” Mr. Gambatese said. “Today, women serve alongside men in all different areas of the service.”
   Mr. Gambatese asked both audiences at the respective ceremonies to take a few minutes during the holiday to reflect on those who have lost their lives defending the nation.
   ”We stand for something in this country,” Mr. Gambatese said. “No other country in the world can compete with us for our concern for our neighbors and for our neighbors across the world.”
   Mr. Gambatese said the country has lost more than 1.2 million soldiers in wars since the holiday began.
   ”Let us not just take today as a holiday,” Mr. Gambatese said. “Let us take this day seriously and give thanks to all the men and women who have died over the last 143 years.”
   Mr. Gambatese and VFW Commander Tim Noonan praised the help of both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the community who worked to put flags on veterans graves throughout the township.
   Mr. Noonan said some 1,300 flags were put on the graves May 28 by the local Scouts in honor of the holiday.
   Wreaths were laid at memorials at both locations as well as at the township’s memorial on the grounds of the municipal complex on Route 522 and a local cemetery.
   The South Brunswick High School Marching Band played during the ceremony at the American Legion for the 30th consecutive year, band director Mark Kraft said.
   In addition to the mayor, township councilmen Charles Carley and Joe Camorata and veteran John O’Sullivan attended both events.
   Deputy Mayor Chris Killmurray was ill and could not attend the ceremonies, Mr. Gambatese said.