Veterans Are Honored in Park Oval Ceremonies
• NUTLEY'S MEMORIAL DAY 2010
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Grand Marshal William F. Falduti at World War II Memorial adjacent to Town Hall.
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Lieutenant Colonel John E. Langston, was the featured speaker. Langston is the Infantry battalion Commander at Sea Girt and is back from Afghanistan where he served as operational officer for Regional Security. Langston is a resident of Morristown.
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Mayor Joanne Cocchiola oversaw the planning of Nutley's Memorial Day program and parade. She's seen here addressing the assemblage on the Park Oval.
May 31, 2010 – Nutley paused this Memorial Day to remember all of those who have served or are still serving America around the globe to ensure that the United States continues to enjoy freedom and prosperity.
The ceremony at the Park Oval featured everything from an accounting of the heroic actions of World War II veteran William F. Falduti to a New Jersey National Guard Lieutenant Colonel naming those who have served and perished more recently in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mayor Joanne Cocchiola, speaking on behalf of all five members of the Board of Commissioners, urged every resident to do something special to honor a veteran while local Assemblyman Gary Schaer spoke briefly but forcefully of the need to never forget the service of the men and women in uniform.
Jack Kane, commander of Nutley VFW Post 493, recounted Falduti's story which included active service in the Army from age 18 in 1944 until 1949. Falduti was an integral part of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France, as a paratrooper in what Kane called "one of the great accomplishments in military history."
Falduti also was part of invasions in Holland and Belgium, was part of the Battle of the Bulge in Poland where he suffered frost-bitten fingers and toes, and was wounded twice during World War II.
"He was certainly and example of the Greatest Generation," Kane said, explaining that he compiled Falduti's stellar history, which included earning the Bronze Star and many other of the most distinguished medals given by the military.
Falduti spoke briefly and modestly, saying, "I did my job to the best of my ability. I did everything I could for America."
Later, Lt. Col. John Langston of the state's National Guard echoed many of the same
sentiments, reading of the names of New Jerseyans who were casualties in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
"We commemorate the service of those who died in uniform to protect the freedom we
all enjoy," Langston said, adding later, "Today we reflect on the lives of those we
knew or we know in our community."
Mayor Cocchiola said she was proud that this was the 91st Memorial Day remembrance "to pay
tribute to these great heroes."
She said she was part of those who earlier this morning visited the memorials throughout Nutley, thanking
the local Veterans Council for "their unending dedication," and she hoped more residents would take that tour in the future "to understand the importance of this day."
Then she urged every resident to "do one thing today to remember," including
visiting graves and monuments, observing a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.
and wearing their red poppies proudly.
"God bless America, and continue to bless Nutley," Cocchiola concluded.
Shaer called the day "a celebration of the values that make America the envy of the
world" and that residents should "stand united. Together we make the difference to
remember."
Following the ceremony, the annual Memorial Day Parade, with many hundreds lining
the parade route to cheer on the veterans and all who walked.
[Additional stories and photos of today's parade and this morning's visits to the veteran's memorials are being edited for publication here on NJHometown. Check the front page on your next visit.]
