9/11 Memorial Dedication to Open Memorial Day Events

Memorial Day in Warren Township promises to be both busy and exciting this year as three important events will take place on May 27th.

The morning will start with the 9/11 Monument Dedication at 9:30 a.m. followed by the traditional Memorial Day Parade at 11 a.m. in honor of our war veterans. After the parade, there will be a memorial service and wreath lying at the Veteran’s Monument located in the center of the courtyard of the municipal complex. 

The Parade is being coordinated by Charles Hogan of Post 293 of the American Legion and Warren resident, and member of Parade Committee, Douglas Reeder.

The 9/11 memorial is a monument dedicated to honor all those First Responders from the New York Fire Department, New York Police Department, Port Authority Police Department and Emergency Medical Service who perished while attempting to save the lives of others.

The dedication of this monument was originally scheduled for November 4, 2012, but was rescheduled due to Superstorm Sandy.

Donations are still needed to pay for all the costs associated with creating the monument venue. This area provides a place for people to pause and reflect as they remember Sept. 11, 2001.

The Township Committee and the Warren Township First Responders invite the public to take part in this ceremony by joining with volunteers on Memorial Day in order to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for others. The dedication will be co-hosted by Committeewoman Carolann Garafola and Deputy Mayor Gary P. DiNardo. Remarks will be made by Police Chief Russell Leffert, Former Fire Chief Tim McGowan, and Rescue Squad President, Paul Rapps.

Following the 9:30 a.m. dedication will be the Memorial Day Parade which kicks off at 11 a.m. beginning from the western end of Washington Valley Extension and ending in front of the municipal building. The parade will include a lineup of police cars and Rescue Squad, followed by the Watchung Hills Regional High School band, a group of classic cars driven by a convoy of World War II Veterans, a horse-drawn Wells Fargo Wagon, followed by Clydesdales, the Lions Eye-mobile, the Elks Lodge antique cars, the Warren Middle School band, and various youth groups and sports teams, followed by fire trucks from the various Warren Township Volunteer Fire Companies.

Following these events, the public is invited to attend their choice of two picnics, free of charge, at either the American Legion (12 Community Place off Stirling Road) or the Elks Lodge (one half block from the municipal building across from the tennis courts).