NUTLEY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Nutley. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
The Township of Nutley recently honored the Memorial Day holiday with a series of remembrances, followed by the 105th iteration of its annual Memorial Day Parade.
The Nutley War Memorial Remembrance festivities began the day at VFW Post 493, followed by:
Mayor John Kelly III, joined by Commissioners Alphonse Petracco, Joseph Scarpelli, Mauro Tucci and Tom Evans, delivered the opening statements at the Community Memorial ceremony held at the Oval.
“It is truly a beautiful day today, and I don't say that strategically,” Kelly said. “I say that because I noticed a lot of towns and surrounding communities have canceled their festivities in light of the weather. However, in Nutley, this is a day of gratitude, and it doesn't matter, rain or shine, we're going to give thanks for all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
“We shouldn't mourn the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We should give thanks that they lived,” the mayor said, quoting General George Patton. He noted that 141 people from Nutley “from the Revolution to present day” gave up their lives for the community's “freedom, peace, and prosperity.”
“We give thanks that so many of them lived right here in Nutley,” Kelly stated. “This morning, we went to all our monuments and read the names of every single person who paid the ultimate sacrifice from Nutley. From the Revolution to present day, there are 141 that gave up their lives. They gave up their rainy days. They gave up their sunny days. They gave up their every day for us, so that we can live here in freedom, peace, and prosperity. So we're going to continue to honor them no matter what, rain or shine. I want to thank each and every one of you for being here today to celebrate them with us.”
Guests attending the ceremonies included New Jersey Senator Britnee Timberlake, New Jersey Assemblywoman Carmen Morales and Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway.
The Community Memorial ceremony was immediately followed by the 105th Memorial Day Parade, led by Grand Marshal John Hoadley Jr., Veteran Of The Year Henry Del Toasto, and Nutley’s first Patriot Of The Year Annette Arocho-Bautista.
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