MORRISTOWN & MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Morristown and Morris Township will honor local military veterans with a series of ceremonies, a procession, and patriotic performances on Veterans Day on Wednesday.
The annual observances, organized by the Memorial and Veterans Day Association of Morristown and Morris Township, will feature two public ceremonies, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Morris Township Municipal Building, 50 Woodland Ave., followed by an 11 a.m. program on the Morristown Green.
This year's program is dedicated to the memory of former ceremonial officers J. Robert Tracey and Arthur Grant.
The morning will begin with honor guard wreath-laying and firing detail services at several local memorials starting at 7:45 a.m.
Those locations include J. Robert Tracey Veterans Park, the Purple Heart Memorial, Holy Rood Cemetery, Brian J. McNally Field, the World War I Cenotaph Monument, the National Guard Armory, the Bobby Moore Plaque and the All Wars Monument.
Veterans Day Ceremonies
The first public ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Morris Township Municipal Building, featuring a performance of the national anthem by the Morristown High School Marching Band, led by director David Gallagher.
Morris Township Mayor Donna Guariglia and Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty will participate in the ceremony, which will also include recognition of hometown heroes by American Legion Post 59, wreath placements, an honor guard presentation and the playing of taps.
A procession to the Morristown Green will begin at 10:30 a.m., ahead of the second ceremony at 11 a.m.
The Green ceremony will open with the ringing of Morristown church bells, followed by patriotic performances from the Morristown High School Band.
The program will also feature remarks from both mayors, recognition of hometown heroes by American Legion Post 59 and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and an honor guard presentation.
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick J. Doyle, a Morris Township resident, will serve as the guest speaker.
Doyle retired from the Air Force in April 2021 after serving 11 years on active duty and 10 years in the Air Force Reserve.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Doyle served as an F-15 instructor pilot and held several leadership positions during his military career. He accumulated more than 1,700 flight hours and participated in deployments to Korea and numerous joint military exercises.
Before retiring, Doyle directed the Admissions Liaison Program for the U.S. Air Force Academy in New Jersey.
The ceremony will conclude with an honor guard presentation and taps, performed by Morristown High School band member Katherine Trabachino.
Refreshments will be available immediately following the Green ceremony at Mt. Kemble Fire Station No. 1, near the intersection of Mt. Kemble Avenue and Spring Brook Road.
In the event of inclement weather, all ceremonies will be held indoors at the Morris Township Municipal Building, beginning at 11 a.m.
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