It was 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month. It was Veterans Day in Fair Haven on Monday. And the ceremony at Memorial Park was the continuation of a longtime tradition.
Continue reading Focus: A Fair Haven Veterans Day Our annual Veterans Day tribute … (Click on the right corner icon to enlarge and the arrow of the above slideshow. WAIT for it to upload and play. Click one of the photos in the above gallery to enlarge and scroll.)
Their faces are the faces at the core of a close-knit community. Some have passed. Some are still with us. They are cherished. They are veterans.
They were and are neighbors, dads, and just plain friendly faces around the Rumson-Fair Haven area towns.
They served. They fought for freedom.
They lived and still do live their lives with hometown pride, honor and respect. They were, they are founding fathers, friends. They were, they are cornerstones of the sense of community that is the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
The gift of their legacies bears no upscale real estate market value. They passed along a love of country and community that is priceless.
Thank you, on Veterans Day, to the veterans of the area who have passed and those who are still with us. You are cherished, honored.
Take a look at some of their faces and remember the legacy they carry.
— Elaine Van Develde
— Photos, courtesy of families of the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyTheir faces are the faces at the core of a close-knit community.
They were neighbors, dads, and just plain friendly faces around the Rumson-Fair Haven area towns. They were also veterans.
Sunday is the day for honoring veterans — the 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour. That’s how the tradition goes.
As tradition goes, on the 11th day of November at the 11th hour, veterans were honored for their service
Many present, this year lifetime Fair Haven Fire Department member Vinny Feeny, a U.S. Navy veteran, was the honored speaker.
Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse into the ceremony … (and don’t forget to click to enlarge.)
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Continue reading Lessons Learned: Sickles School’s Veterans Day Ceremony
Saturday is the day for honoring veterans — the 11th month, 11th day, 11th hour. That’s how the tradition goes.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t ever want to be anywhere else but here today,” Fair Haven’s second oldest living World War II and Korean War veteran Ray Taylor said with a teary-eyed smile as someone shook his hand and thanked him for his service. He then gently placed his decorated hat back on his head after holding it over his heart for The Pledge of Allegiance that began the Fair Haven Veterans Day service on Friday.
Memorial Park was filled beyond capacity with veterans, police, firemen, children, parents and officials who were there to pay homage to those who have served and still are serving.
The fall sun cast a warm glow on the patriotic spirit of the ceremony of honor.
Take a look … Thank you to our veterans.
— Elaine Van Develde
The sun shone bright in Rumson’s Victory Park on Friday, casting a bright light of honor on the borough’s vets.
Homage was paid to all the living who served their country, those presently in service and those who have passed.
There was a call for respect — of them, the freedom of choice for which they fought, and for peace.
Thank you to all of our veterans. Take a peek into the Veterans Day 2016 moment in Rumson …
— Elaine Van Develde
Their faces are the faces at the core of a close-knit community.
They were neighbors, dads, and just plain friendly faces around the Rumson-Fair Haven area towns. They were also veterans.
They served. They fought for freedom in World War II and the Korean War.
They lived their lives with hometown pride, honor and respect. They were founding fathers, friends. They were cornerstones of the sense of community that is the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
The gift of their legacies bears no upscale real estate market value. They passed along a love of country and community that is priceless.
Thank you, on Veterans Day, to the veterans of the area who have passed. You are cherished, honored.
Take a look at some of their faces and remember.
— Elaine Van Develde
— Photos, courtesy of families of the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
Knollwood School students recently got a lesson in leadership, courtesy of a U.S. Air Force vet and former teacher.
Continue reading Knollwood Students Get Vets’ Lesson in Leadership
By Elaine Van Develde
Veterans. Honoring them for a moment on one day at a once-annual small-town gathering on Veterans Day is not enough, Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli told the crowd gathered for a ceremony in the borough on Wednesday morning.
“It is up to us to honor the lives that we lost — to honor all those who have served our country,” he said. “We honor them through events like this. But we should honor them in everyday life as well.”
Noting the presence of young school children in attendance, as part of the program, the mayor continued, saying that it is “important to note that it is up to the parents to make sure that our children realize the immense sacrifice they’ve (veterans)made.
“It is because of them that we are able to enjoy the freedom and liberties we are afforded. Ceremony is a small token of gratitude to these men and women.”
The mayor’s sentiment was echoed by featured speaker U.S. Marine Corps Major Joshua Zager, a 1989 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Graduate who served in Marine Fighter Attack squadrons 251, aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew 43 combat missions over Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.
“People are always thanking me for my service,” Major Zager said, turning his thanks to those serving their own towns at home. “It was my pleasure.
“I’ve stood the watch many times … Right now I’d like to thank our policemen and volunteer firefighters. They’re standing watch right now so that tonight we can sleep safely in our beds.”
That theme of hometown gratitude was emulated in Rumson.
There, First Sgt. James Duffney, 177 Fighter Wing in the NJ Air National Guard, gave thanks as well. “He thanked all those veterans present for their service and remembered all those from Rumson who have passed on,” Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect, after missing his speech by a minute.
Yes, thank you. Thank you to the veterans who died serving our country. Thank you to those who served, came home, raised their families in the area, lived their lives out serving their communities, or just being a good neighbor. Thank you to those now serving. Thank you to the police and firemen protecting and serving their communities every single day.
Thank you.
Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into Veterans Day in Rumson and Fair Haven. Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge.
— Photos and slideshow/Elaine Van Develde
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