Impromptu Memorial Day Observance Held At Veterans Memorial Park

Several township officials and residents held an impromptu Memorial Day observance May 30 at Veterans Memorial Park on DeMott Lane.

Forecasts of inclement weather issued late into the night of May 29 forced the early cancellation of the township’s official observance, said Bob LaCorte, the event’s organizer.

But at about 1 p.m. on Memorial Day, when it was apparent the promised rain was not going to materialize, LaCorte said,  he made a few calls to organize the small observance.

“It was just a little thing that we planned to do with a little ceremony,” LaCorte said.

LaCorte, Mayor Phil Kramer, Township Councilwomen Shanel Robinson and Roslyn Sherman, Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad and township resident John Walker held the ceremony. Wreaths were placed at monuments for each of the military services as their flags were raised, then each participant rang the memorial bell.

“The most important thing was that we had the minute of silence at 3 p.m.,” LaCorte said.

LaCorte has organized the township’s Memorial Day celebration for the past five years, and assisted in preparations for the previous four years. This year, he said, was the first time bad weather cancelled the event since he’d been involved with it.

Although the participants were mostly politicians, and LaCorte is the township Republican party chairman, LaCorte said politics payed no role in the day.

“It wasn’t about the politicians,” he said, “it was about the men and women who lost their lives defending their country.”

Your Thoughts

comments