Help Honor War Heroes At Toms River Veterans Day Ceremony

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River residents can help honor the service of the nation's military at the 2020 Ocean County Veterans Day Ceremony.

The ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Protectors of Freedom monument in Bey Lea Park, 570 Bay Ave., Toms River. It is organized by the Toms River Veterans Commission.

The commission normally holds a parade that marches down Main Street to Washington Street to the steps of Town Hall in Toms River. But because of the restrictions on gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, the commission has decided to hold a ceremony instead.

The public will be allowed to attend but attendees will be required to wear face coverings and maintain proper social distancing.

"There are over 18 million veterans in the United States, or about 7 percent of the population, who have served in our armed forces," Mayor Maurice B. Hill said. "Although we will not be able to gather for parades and large celebrations on this Veterans Day, we all need to pause and reflect on the service and dedication of our veterans who have defended our freedoms at home and around the world and those who 'stand the watch' today."

The ceremony is scheduled to include speakers and honored guests, a military flyover, rifle salute and the placing of the wreath at the Protectors of Freedom monument, which was created by Brian Hanlon, a world-renowned artist and Toms River.

The monument pays tribute to the men and women who have served in international wars and conflicts from 1917 to the present. There are six, 8-foot-tall bronze sculptures, including a female nurse from the Vietnam War era, and a pathway around the garden includes signs explaining each sculpture and commemorating each of the wars and conflicts, from World War I to the present.

Toms River donated the land and the monument was funded by the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation.

If the weather is too bad to be outside, the ceremony will be held in the Toms River Municipal Building, 33 Washington St., in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Meeting Room on the 2nd floor.

"Please plan to join us in demonstrating your support and never-ending appreciation of our military veterans, active military and their families," Toms River officials said.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.