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NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Citizens couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day for a ceremony to honor those who served in Vietnam. On Sunday, November 8, 2009, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars held a dedication ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park to remember all of those who gave their lives to protect the rights of the free. The ceremony took place at 2:00 p.m. near the Veterans Memorial Park Clock and featured guest speakers. All of those in attendance shared special moments as the brave men who served our country received certificates and a special hat pin from the VFW. Click here to view a video clip of the ceremony.
Nicholas Perillo, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #190 in New Providence, spoke at the event and was in charge of the day’s festivities. Mr. Perillo, along with other members of the VFW, shared stories and memories of the veterans. The Color Guard, along with the Fraternal Order of Police in New Providence, served as flag bearers for the event.
After the event, Mr. Perillo spoke about the ceremony in general: "This was our Vietnam War Memorial Dedication and we had a great turnout of Vietnam Veterans. Quite a few were unable to make it; we had over 100 scheduled," said Perillo. "Mayor Thoms, Mayor Morgan and Julie McDermott all spoke today."
When asked what was most special to him about the day, Mr. Perillo explained: "To see the faces of these Vietnam Veterans who are finally being recognized for their service and when I see their faces when they were called, that was more then enough for me!"
Several guest speakers, among them Mayor Thoms, a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart, all spoke about what it meant to be at the special event and the significance of the dedication ceremony.
The event featured a 21 gun salute and a taps roll call also took place after a few moments of silence. Maria Lopez, a vocalist, then sang "Amazing Grace."
Mrs. Lopez spoke after the event about being involved at the ceremony: "It’s quite an honor. I actually have the honor and the pleasure to do this every year [on] Veterans Day at the memorial dedication," said Lopez. "My husband was honored today at the event, Pete Lopez."
"It was a quite a touching event. We had over 100 Vietnam-Era Veterans that we honored here today and we dedicated our Vietnam Veterans Memorial to them. It was a very touching scene," said Mayor Thoms. "Probably in this country, the vets were not given the honor and respect that they deserve at the time of their service. It took America many years to come to the conclusion that they did serve with honor and we’re very grateful for that."
After the ceremony, the veterans were all given certificates of appreciation and shown the respect they all deserve. A party with refreshments was held at the Paca Club after the ceremony and all attendees were invited to celebrate the beautiful memorial. Cpl. William Cucco, US Army Infantry, served from ’51 to ’52 in Korea and was on hand for the dedication. "It was beautiful, and Nick (Perillo) did a great job! He puts on a one-man show," said Cucco. "They did a lot of work for the event. [Nick] is our Commander of the event and I am the Quartermaster and we work [well] together." said Cucco. Click here to view a video clip of the ceremony.
Anyone interested in visiting the memorial can visit Veterans Memorial Park on South Street in New Providence, a few blocks from the Library and the Municipal Building.
Photo above: A Color Guard Soldier holding a rifle before a 21 Gun Salute
Photo by J. R. Warnet
Maria Lopez, Vocalist, sings at the Veterans Memorial Park Dedication
Photo by J. R. Warnet
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Mary DeFilippis accepts an award for her son from Nick Perillo and New Providence Mayor John Thoms
Photo by J. R. Warnet
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Seth Jones, a Veteran,sits at the dedication ceremony on Sunday.
Photo by J. R. Warnet
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Cpl. William Cucco stands near the plaque at Veterans Memorial Park
Photo by J. R. Warnet
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Nicholas Perillo, MC for the event, stands near the podium at the ceremony.
Photo by J. R. Warnet
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9/2/2010
New Providence and Other Union County School Districts Shift into Green Energy
Staying true to their "PIONEER" spirit, New Providence recently hosted a first of its kind Energy Efficiency seminar focused on schools and libraries. Dr. David Miceli, the Superintendent....
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9/2/2010
Colonial Crossroads Chapter’s Disaster Action Team
Responds to 26 Disasters Last Year and Prepares for Current Hurricane Season
The Colonial Crossroads Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 26 disasters this past year offering temporary shelter, psychological first aid, mobile unit feeding, financial assistance and emergency personnel can....
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9/1/2010
AlphaGraphics Fights Hunger Locations, September 1-31, 2010
AlphaGraphics in Summit/New Providence invites you to participate in our second annual AlphaGraphics Fights Hunger campaign, September 1-30, 2010. Below you will find a list of locations in our area that will have food do....
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9/1/2010
Donate Your Gently Used Clothing to the New Providence Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse!
The New Providence Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse is now accepting donations of like-new and gently-used clothing to help fund programs that are not covered through their state grant. These clothes will be rec....
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9/1/2010
Mayor John Thoms and Councilman Brooke Hern Gear Up for November Election; Fiscal Philosophy and Oakwood Park to be Election Issues
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Both New Providence incumbent Mayor John Thoms and challenger, Councilman Brooke Hern, trace their roots to the Republican Party, but both have reached the November ballot by different paths—and that is the way they int....
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8/31/2010
Rally Day, New Orleans Jazz at Faith Lutheran
On Sunday, September 12, Faith Lutheran Church in New Providence will celebrate Rally Day with two eucharistic services, featuring New Orleans jazz. One will be at 8:30 am and the other at 11:00 am.
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8/31/2010
New Providence High School Athletic Booster Club to Hold Annual Fall Clothing Drive and Flower Sale, September 11th
The New Providence High School Athletic Booster Club will hold its annual fall Clothing Drive and Flower Sale on Saturday, September 11th from 9 am until 3 pm. All donations must be in plastic bags and can be dropped off at the student park....
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8/30/2010
Purple Heart Monument Unveiled in New Providence; Honors Wounded Combat Veterans
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - The Borough of New Providence honored wounded combat veterans on Saturday at the dedication of the Purple Heart Monument at the aptly named Veterans Park. Approximately 100 peopl....
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8/28/2010
Chatham Brass to Perform at Summit Old Guard, September 7th
The Chatham Brass will provide the members of the Summit Old Guard an hour of musical entertainment on September 7th at the New Providence Municipal Center. The musicians for this ensemble are comprised of members of the ....
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8/28/2010
Lesl Harker of New Providence Receives a 2010 Union County HEART Grant
Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (L) congratulate musician Lesl Harker (C) of New Providence on receiving a 2010 Union County HEART Grant (History, Education, Arts Reachi....
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8/27/2010
Democratic Challenger Ed Potosnak Labels U.S. Congressman Leonard Lance a "Career Politician"; Congressman Lance Defends his "Public Service"
SUMMIT, NJ - With the mid-term elections fast approaching on November 2nd, the 7th Congressional District, which comprises parts of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties, is quickly heating up as Democratic c....
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8/26/2010
9/11 Service at Faith Lutheran
On Saturday, September 11, the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, Faith Lutheran Church in New Providence will conduct a memorial service at 8:30 am in its sanctuary. Holy Communion will be s....
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8/25/2010
New Providence High School Ranked #5 in the State of New Jersey by NJ Monthly Magazine
According to the most recent rankings by NJ Monthly magazine, New Providence High School is ranked #5 in the State of New Jersey out of the 322 public high schools in the State. Click here to....
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8/24/2010
New Providence Council Contemplates Regulation of Windmill and Solar Power; Bonding Ordinance for $666,000 in Capital Projects Introduced
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Alternative sources of energy are receiving an ever-widening degree of support in New Jersey and New Providence officials want to make sure those new sources--particularly solar and wind power--are installed on borough ....
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8/23/2010
LWV Citizenship Awards Presented
Each year, the League of Women Voters of Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit presents Citizenship Awards to outstanding juniors in our three high schools. Congratulations are in order to this year’s honorees.
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8/23/2010
Congregation Beth Hatikvah Announces Online Registration for High Holiday Services
With the holiest days of the Jewish calendar fast approaching – Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown on Wednesday, Sept. 8, with Yom Kippur following at sundown Friday, Sept. 17 – Congregation Beth Hatikvah announces the opening of online regist....
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8/21/2010
New Providence Board of Education Adopts Strategic Planning Five Year Goals; Discusses Volunteer Athletic Coaches at the High School
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - The New Providence Board of Education on Thursday night adopted eight strategic five-year goals focusing on bettering the quality of education of New Providence students.
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8/20/2010
GAF Materials Corporation Announces Winners
of 2010 Scholarship
GAF Materials Corporation is pleased to announce the winners of its GAF 2010 Special Scholarship. Kevin T. Sunyak and Evan Alvarez were each awarded $2500 per year for up to four years of college undergraduate study. The ....
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8/20/2010
Rock & Roll Open Mic at Wharton Music Center, August 23rd
Rock & Roll vocalists, instrumentalists, and bands are invited to participate in Wharton Music Center’s Rock & Roll Open Mic on Monday, August 23, at Wharton Music Center located at 60 Locust Avenue in Berkeley He....
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8/19/2010
Author, Historian Talk About Lincoln at Old Guard, August 31st, at New Providence Municipal Center
William Styple will speak at the August 31 meeting of the Summit Old Guard about his latest book, Tell Me of Lincoln, Memories of Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War and Life in Old New York. The book is based on notes taken b....
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8/18/2010
Colonial Crossroads Chapter of the American Red Cross Hosts an Oktoberfest on the Lawn Saturday, October 2nd
SAVE the DATE for the Colonial Crossroads Chapter’s annual fall event on Saturday, October 2nd from 5:00 - 9:00pm. This year’s Oktoberfest will offer a selection of imported and domestic beers, accompanying hors d’oeuvres....
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8/18/2010
Runnells Specialized Hospital’s 13th Annual Courtyard Carnival
The annual Courtyard Carnival drew residents, patients and visitors to the Long Term Care Courtyard at RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County in Berkeley Heights. The popular event was organized by the facility’s A....
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8/17/2010
Screening of "Iron Jawed Angels" Set for Thursday, August 26th, 7:30 pm
In honor of the 90th anniversary of the women’s right to vote, Interweave Learning Center and the League of Women Voters of Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit are co-sponsoring a screening of "Iron Jawed Angels".....
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8/16/2010
Construction, Gunfire, Aussie Beer, and General MacArthur: New Providence Resident Cliff Hebbeler Remembers his Service during World War II
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The book is faded, its pages beginning to yellow with age, the black and white photos showing captured moments from long ago – further back than some can even remembe....
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8/16/2010
Dragon Boaters Battle the Odds, Paddle Toward Victory Against Breast Cancer
PARSIPPANY, NJ – With the intensity of a drill sergeant and the familiarity of a sister, Ellen Law shouts down the rows of women rowing the dragon boat furiously through ....
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