2006 MEMORIAL DAY PRESS RELEASE

The Washington Township Parks & Recreation Department is coordinating their annual Memorial Day Ceremony to honor all veterans and current soldiers who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families by awarding for the first time a Washington Township Service Medal to those who have served in conflicts including Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Haiti, including those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our invited guests include all Washington Township Veterans and members of the American Veterans’ Association of Washington Township.

The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 27th at 1PM at the Veteran’s Memorial on the front lawn of the Washington Township Senior Center located off East Springtown Road, Long Valley. The Teens Against Crime (TAC) members will distribute American Flags; followed by Mayor Tracy Tobin opening the ceremony; the Long Valley Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will then present a Flag Ceremony followed by an opening prayer offered by Reverend Peter Froehlke from the Zion Lutheran Church.

A rifle salute performed by Gary Kuipers with speeches from Keynote Speaker John Wroblewski, father of fallen hero Second Lieutenant John T. Wroblewski. Also speaking will be James K. Cullen and Gerald Mount, who served at the Battle of the Bulge, conveying the significance of the battle and sharing thoughts about the cost of Freedom.

The Township Committee members and invited elected officials will assist in the presentation of the medals. Raymond Milhime, Commander of the American Veteran’s Association of Washington Township will lead the Scouts in the wreath laying with the playing of Taps being performed by Mort Brett, and the formal folding of our flag presented by members of the American Veterans’ War.

A free light lunch, donated by the Chester Meat Market, will be available immediately following the ceremony in Rock Spring Park.

Please call Washington Township Parks & Recreation Event Coordinator, Gail Werner at (908) 876-5941 if you would like to attend or if you would like to apply for a medal from Washington Township.

There are a limited number of medals, so please do not delay, as the deadline is May 20th. This event is made possible from a grant from the Washington Township Municipal Alliance in their effort to offer significant community outreach programs and Washington Township Parks & Recreation. If you would like to wear your uniform please do. We suggest you bring a lawn chair for the post ceremony lunch.

Medal Request Form