Montgomery Township has the honorable distinction of being designated a Purple Heart Community.  As part of the privilege of remembering and acknowledging the sacrifices of those who gave so much for the freedom and opportunities we have today, the Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee (MVMC) will be continuing to collect and add to the stories of “Purple Heart in Our Community” for any Purple Heart recipients currently residing in Montgomery Township as well as current Township residents that are immediate family members of a Purple Heart recipient (including parents /grandparents). If this distinction includes you or someone in your family and you have not yet spoken with the MVMC, please call Township Clerk Lisa Fania at (908) 359-8211 Ext. 2240.

The MVMC and Township plans to again recognize all our Purple Heart residents on August 7, 2023 (National Purple Heart Day) and maintain a permanent record of the stories of honor and remembrance on this website. The following Purple Heart recipients have been identified thus far; may their narratives and pictures bring to life the spirit, bravery, and sacrifices they made for us all.

2022 Honoree Additions

John Bruno – U.S. Army

Township resident Chris Bruno’s father, John J. Bruno, proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. PFC Bruno was a Rifleman with the 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) Troop B, functioning as part of both intelligence gathering and combat in General Patton’s Third Army throughout campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 28^th Cavalry helped secure the western flank from German positions around Bastogne, enabling Allied advancement and liberation of the 101^st Airborne trapped by the German siege in December 1944. PFC Bruno and his unit continued to support critical operations in the Bastogne region in often brutal winter conditions, helping finish off remaining German resistance south and east in the town of Harlange from January 3^rd – 15^th and then moving to secure the town of Wiltz, Luxembourg from January 19^th – February 19^th. These operations opened up the path for Allied advancement to the Rhine River and into Germany from the Western Front; PFC Bruno was wounded with shrapnel during combat on January 20, 1945 and awarded the Purple Heart in helping achieve this critical mission.  (click below images to enlarge.)

Gerhardt E. Seltenheim – U.S. Army

Township resident Willett Seltenheim’s father, 1^st Sergeant Gerhardt E. Seltenheim, earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal while serving with the 29^th Infantry Division during World War II. 1SG Seltenheim arrived in England in October 1942 to train for two years before the Allied invasion at Normandy. His M Company, of the 175^th Infantry Regiment, was offshore in the English Channel on D-Day and witnessed the actual assault as their landing craft waited to discharge his Company. He landed at Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944 (D-Day+1). Two days later, his company was fighting the Germans for control of Isigny. He participated in major battles against the German army and the two-week siege and capture of St. Lo.

1SG Seltenheim was wounded on August 19, 1944 in Le Fresne Paret during the Allied offensive to take Brest, a critical port city along the French coast heavily fortified with German army resistance. After a brief recovery period, 1SG Seltenheim returned to answer the call of duty with his fellow soldiers in the 29^th Infantry battling the German army through France and overcoming brutal resistance in small German towns before taking Aachen and Munchen-Gladbach in 1945. (click below images to enlarge.)

Charles F. Handler – U.S. Army Air Forces

Born in Belle Mead in 1921, 1^st Lieutenant Handler served with the 306^th Bomb Group, The Reich Wreckers. Trained for combat with the B-17 “Flying Fortresses”, he moved to England in August 1942 and flew combat missions with the 423^rd Army Air Force Bomb Squadron.

On October 22, 1944, he was on the crew of the B-17G #44-8099 when they departed from their base in England during a mission to Hannover in Germany. Their bomber crashed into the North Sea with Lt. Handler among 9 crew members killed-in-action. Charles is memorialized at Beverly National Cemetery in Burlington County; his name and that of his three brothers are forever interred with honor on the Montgomery Veterans Memorial. (click below images to enlarge.)

Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam Era, Korean War

Ashley Henderson-Huff – U.S. Army

Montgomery High School graduate Class of 2000, Lieutenant Ashley Henderson Huff was commissioned at the University of Georgia through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. She joined the U.S. Army in May 2004, and was deployed to Iraq in December 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She performed the duties of a platoon leader with the 549th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion. Lt. Huff was killed when a roadside side bomb detonated while she was on patrol on September 19, 2006. She was the first New Jersey woman to be killed in the war and the only Montgomery High School graduate to have been killed in action while serving in the military. The United States military awarded First Lieutenant Huff the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. She was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge. The entrance road to Montgomery High School was re-named Lieutenant Ashley Henderson Huff Memorial Drive, in honor of Ashley’s service to her country.

Michael M. McGreevy, Jr. – U.S. Navy

Navy Lieutenant Michael McGreevy was part of a dedicated Naval Special Warfare team, Seal Team Ten, fighting the Taliban in Operation Enduring Freedom. Lieutenant McGreevy worked to help ensure al Qaeda terrorists could not train in, nor launch strikes from Afghanistan since their attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. He was one of 16 troops killed when a MH- 47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on a night mission on June 28, 2005. McGreevy, seven other SEALs. and eight Army Nightstalker” commandos, died in a heroic attempt to rescue their fellow SEALs. It was the biggest single loss of life for Naval Special Warfare forces since World War II. Lieutenant McGreevey was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal, posthumously. Lt. McGreevy’s daughter, Molly was 15 months old at the time of his death; she is a student at MHS at the time of this writing (September 2021).

Kevin J. Klink, U.S. Marine Corps

Kevin joined the Marine Corps at age 17, following in the footsteps of his father who served in Vietnam.  As an 0311 Infantryman, Kevin completed two tours in Iraq.  Kevin was serving in the “Triangle of Death” region south of Baghdad, guarding the critical main supply route of military supply convoys from Kuwait into locations in Iraq.  On September 7, 2004 his Humvee hit an IED (improvised explosive device), throwing him 15 feet into the air and leaving him unconscious with shrapnel and force-trauma wounds.  He proudly displays the Purple Heart he was awarded in his home, and honors the freedom for which he and all United States Service members fought for by rescuing and caring for animals on his “Live Free Farm” in Skillman.  Kevin’s farm also facilitates programs for U.S. military veterans, especially those who suffered PTSD, and can be contacted via email at livefreefarm@yahoo.com

Stephen H Warner – U.S. Army

Specialist Rank 4 Stephen H. Warner was an anti-war activist who was drafted in 1969 after finishing his first year at Yale Law School. After induction into the Army, Stephen Warner remained bitterly opposed to the Vietnam War. However, when sent to Vietnam as a public information specialist, he repeatedly volunteered to go out into the field to write human interest stories about the combat soldiers. In February 1971 the vehicle on which Specialist Warner was riding in Quang Tri Province was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing Steven and three other American soldiers. The book, Killed In Action, contains 22 photographs taken by Steven Warner during his travels around Vietnam, as well as a selection of his human interest articles.

Robert Gesregan, U.S. Army

Robert was wounded in action while serving with the US Army in Vietnam.  He was identified as a Montgomery Township (Skillman) resident who earned the Purple Heart via a search in the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor records. There is no additional information available in these records; if anyone has such information, please let us know at the email or phone number indicated at the beginning of this post.

World War II

Newton Wesley Jones – U.S. Army

Nancy Dawn Jones is a military widow living at Stonebridge; her husband’s father (Colonel Newton Wesley Jones) earned the Purple Heart serving in World War II.  Colonel Jones was leading from the front, to free a concentration camp in Germany, when they entered a German town under white-flag truce.  Tragically, it was an ambush and Colonel Jones and his jeep driver were killed.  He is buried in the American Military cemetery in Saint Avold, France.  Nancy’s husband, William Dudley Jones, was only 12 when he lost his Dad on April 29, 1945. He was proud to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve our Country in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before his retirement from military service in 1973.

Mario Arthur Comizzoli –  U.S. Merchant Marine

Township resident Robert Comizzoli’s father Mario Comizzoli received the Mariners’ Medal (the equivalent of the Purple Heart for those killed or wounded in the Merchant Marine Service) when he gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country in World War II.  All 92 crew members aboard the munitions vessel SS Louise Lykes, including O.S. Comizzoli, lost their lives when their ship was torpedoed by a German submarine in January 1943.  Robert was only 2 years old when he lost his father and has no memory of him.  His father’s cousin told him a story that speaks volumes of O.S. Comizzoli’s character: “Your father and I went to see the SS Louise Lykes in Newark (NJ) while it was being loaded.  The cargo consisted of huge aerial bombs, and I tried to dissuade him from making the trip across the dangerous North Atlantic- made especially so as there was no escort or convoy available at the time.”  Some years after the war, Veteran status in the US Coast Guard was extended to those who served in the Merchant Marine, and Robert obtained this status for his father.

Edward Binkowski, Sr. –  U.S. Army

Township resident Chris Andrews’ father, Lieutenant Edward Binkowski, earned the Purple Heart while serving in the Army during World War II.  Lt. Binkowski was serving in the North African front when he came under heavy fire while leading his platoon.  He was hit with two bullets in the arm, and multiple close calls.  He was heroically carried back to barracks for surgery by one of his platoon sergeants who disobeyed orders and put himself in great danger of the enemy’s fire to do so.  Twelve additional bullet holes were identified in the side of his field jacket- one of which was just two inches away from the grenades he was carrying.  Two inches were the difference between remaining forever on the battlefield and making it back home.

To shed light on the bravery and selfless service of the US Army nurses, Lieutenant Binkowski made this request to a newspaper interviewer while he was in rehabilitation at Halloran General Hospital: “Give the Army nurses a plug.  They’re the closest to the front of any nurses.  They give up their beds (for the wounded soldiers) and sleep on the ground.”

Thomas E. Hobby , U.S. Army

Township resident Mary Kay Smith’s family relative Private Thomas Hobby earned both a Purple Heart and Silver Star serving in the 1^st Infantry Division of World War II.  The Division entered combat in World War II as part of “Operation Torch”, the invasion of North Africa and the first American campaign against the Axis powers. The initial lessons of combat were harsh, and many men were casualties in the campaigns stretching from Algiers to Tunisia that followed.  Private Hobby gave the ultimate sacrifice in these early campaigns and died from a grenade on April 23, 1943; his courage for his country and gallantry for his fellow soldiers are ingrained in the Purple Heart and Silver Star medals he received posthumously, and permanently interred in a US Military cemetery in Tunisia.

John Bruno – U.S. Army

Township resident Chris Bruno’s father, John J. Bruno, proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. PFC Bruno was a Rifleman with the 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) Troop B, functioning as part of both intelligence gathering and combat in General Patton’s Third Army throughout campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 28^th Cavalry helped secure the western flank from German positions around Bastogne, enabling Allied advancement and liberation of the 101^st Airborne trapped by the German siege in December 1944. PFC Bruno and his unit continued to support critical operations in the Bastogne region in often brutal winter conditions, helping finish off remaining German resistance south and east in the town of Harlange from January 3^rd – 15^th and then moving to secure the town of Wiltz, Luxembourg from January 19^th – February 19^th. These operations opened up the path for Allied advancement to the Rhine River and into Germany from the Western Front; PFC Bruno was wounded with shrapnel during combat on January 20, 1945 and awarded the Purple Heart in helping achieve this critical mission

Gerhardt E. Seltenheim – U.S. Army

Township resident Willett Seltenheim’s father, 1^st Sergeant Gerhardt E. Seltenheim, earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal while serving with the 29^th Infantry Division during World War II. 1SG Seltenheim arrived in England in October 1942 to train for two years before the Allied invasion at Normandy. His M Company, of the 175^th Infantry Regiment, was offshore in the English Channel on D-Day and witnessed the actual assault as their landing craft waited to discharge his Company. He landed at Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944 (D-Day+1). Two days later, his company was fighting the Germans for control of Isigny. He participated in major battles against the German army and the two-week siege and capture of St. Lo.

1SG Seltenheim was wounded on August 19, 1944 in Le Fresne Paret during the Allied offensive to take Brest, a critical port city along the French coast heavily fortified with German army resistance. After a brief recovery period, 1SG Seltenheim returned to answer the call of duty with his fellow soldiers in the 29^th Infantry battling the German army through France and overcoming brutal resistance in small German towns before taking Aachen and Munchen-Gladbach in 1945.

Charles F. Handler – U.S. Army Air Forces

Born in Belle Mead in 1921, 1^st Lieutenant Handler served with the 306^th Bomb Group, The Reich Wreckers. Trained for combat with the B-17 “Flying Fortresses”, he moved to England in August 1942 and flew combat missions with the 423^rd Army Air Force Bomb Squadron.

On October 22, 1944, he was on the crew of the B-17G #44-8099 when they departed from their base in England during a mission to Hannover in Germany. Their bomber crashed into the North Sea with Lt. Handler among 9 crew members killed-in-action. Charles is memorialized at Beverly National Cemetery in Burlington County; his name and that of his three brothers are forever interred with honor on the Montgomery Veterans Memorial.

Michael Malko – U.S. Army

Private First Class Michael Malko served with US Army 27th Infantry Division 165th Infantry Regiment. On June 15, 1944, Private First Class Malko’s regiment and 8,000 U.S. Marines stormed the beaches of the island of Saipan, with a goal of gaining control of a crucial air base. Facing fierce enemy resistance, Americans poured from their landing crafts to establish a beachhead, battle Japanese soldiers inland and force the Japanese army to retreat north. With the U.S. victory apparent, Japanese soldiers launched a massive but futile banzai charge. Pfc. Malko was killed in action on July 1, 1944. On July 9, the U.S. flag was raised in victory over Saipan. Michael Malko was one of six brothers who all served in World War II.

Charles Rospop – U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Private First Class Charles Rospop enlisted and served with the First Battalion, 24th Marines from 1942 until his death. The 24th Marines embarked for Iwo Jima in late January 1945 with other 4th Marine Division units. From the very beginning of the operation the 24th Marines remained locked in battle in one of the most infamously brutal battles of World War II. Pfc Rospop succumbed to wounds on March 5, 1945 before the last enemy pocket of resistance was finally crushed on March 16th. The regiment was relieved two days later and immediately boarded naval vessels and returned to Hawaii. The regiment suffered 652 killed and 1053 wounded. Private Rospop’s headstone lies at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.

George L. Brown – U.S. Army

Tech Corporal George L. Brown served with the 271st Engineer Combat Battalion 71st Infantry Division in the US Army. The 71st Infantry Division arrived at Le Havre, France in February 1945, several months after the D-Day invasion. The division moved east and saw its first action on March 11th. The ousting of the Germans from France began a few days later. The division would go on to advance through Germany as the Axis Power began to crumble, liberating Gunskirchen Lager, a subcamp of Mathausen Concentration Camp. Tech Corporal Brown died from non-battle wounds on March 26, 1945. He is buried in Lorraine Cemetery in St. Avold, France.

World War I

Joseph Belmont, U.S. Army

Township resident Nancy Gallagher’s grandfather, Joseph Belmont, earned the Purple Heart from wounds suffered during combat of World War I.  Private Belmont was an ambulance driver in the US Army’s Rainbow Division serving the front lines of trench warfare.  He spent 6 weeks in a hospital as a result of injuries from mustard gas as he served to help our soldiers wounded in the field. Private Belmont was one of the earliest Service members to receive the official Purple Heart award in a ceremony in 1934, though the spirit of the Purple Heart award dates back to General George Washington and the Continental Army (see History at the end of this article). Nancy proudly displays her grandfather’s medal in her family room along with amazingly well-preserved memorabilia from his Service.

Nancy reflected on her grandfather’s service and sacrifices with these thoughts:  “As an ambulance driver he must have witnessed horrific wounds and suffering of his comrades.   In many ways, transporting the dying would have been worse than transporting the dead.  I can’t even begin to comprehend it. The items I have from him help me understand what he and so many others endured for the sake of our nation.”

Samuel Duffield, U.S. Marine Corps

Corporal Duffield from Skillman was the first person in his community to answer the call of duty after the U.S. entered World War I, enlisting at age 19 in April 1917.  As a member of the Second Division, he was thrown into the terrible fighting at Chateau-Thierry on May 31^st, 1918.  Fighting alongside the 5^th and 6^th Marines, the units stopped the German rush on Paris. Combat continued day and night through July 9, with Corporal Duffield’s infantry division immortalizing itself by capturing and holding Vaux against all counter attacks.  After recovering from a mustard gas attack on July 4, Sam went right back into battle on September 30 in the Blanc Mont region.  He gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country in the storming of Blanc Mont Ridge on October 3, 1918; Corporal Duffield and his fellow Marines heroic efforts led to victory by October 9^th, forcing the German forces out of the Champagne region for good.  (from the New Jersey State Archives)

Richard James Harkness, U.S. Army

Township resident Bonnie Likely’s grandfather Private Richard Harkness received the Purple Heart while serving in the combat of World War I. Private Harkness was stationed in France when he was wounded while running a message from his unit to another allied army unit. “Runners” had one of the most dangerous and important tasks of the war- to deliver critical information between units while running through open fields under constant artillery bombardment and snipers looking to shoot anything moving outside the trenches. Bonnie’s mother made a shadow box display of her grandfather’s medals and passed down a precious hand-written letter and other priceless war memorabilia to keep alive his spirit and bravery from which he earned the Purple Heart.

Arthur S. Dixon – U.S. Army

Arthur S. Dixon enlisted in the US Army in 1917 to fight in the Great War. Dixon’s regiment was one of the first waves of US troops to leave for Europe to fight “Over There.” The first US infantry troops landed in France on June 26, 1917 to begin training for combat. Dixon was killed in action soon after enlisting, making him one of over 100,000 American service people to die in the First World War.

Civil War

John A. Cray – KIA Civil War

Private John A. Cray served in the 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment for the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment organized at Camp Olden in Trenton in the summer of 1861 under General Butler who attached to Runyon’s New Jersey Brigade in defense of Washington, DC. The regiment moved south to control the occupation of Arlington Heights, construct Fort Runyon, and fought at the first Battle of Bull Run

James Cray – KIA Civil War

Private James Cray also served in the 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which organized at Camp Olden in Trenton in the summer of 1861. Private Cray enlisted in September 1861 and left New Jersey for Maryland with his regiment. The regiment advanced South throughout the duration of the war, fighting in battles including Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House , Cold Harbor, and finally Appomattox Court House

Revolutionary War

General Richard Montgomery – KIA Revolutionary War

General Richard Montgomery, Montgomery Township’s namesake, rose through the ranks of the British Army, but took up the Patriot cause when the American Revolutionary War began in 1775. He became a Major General in the Continental Army and is largely known as America’s First National Hero after falling in the Battle of Quebec on New Year’s Eve 1775. He is America’s First General Officer to be killed in battle and America’s First General Officer to be killed on foreign soil.

History of the Purple Heart Award (from the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in NY)

The award known as the Purple Heart has a history that reaches back to the waning days of the American Revolution. The Continental Congress had forbidden General George Washington from granting commissions and promotions in rank to recognize merit. Yet Washington wanted to honor merit, particularly among the enlisted soldiers. On August 7, 1782, his general orders established the Badge of Military Merit:

“… The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit directs whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding.”

This award was open only to enlisted men (Privates, Corporals and Sergeants) and granted them the distinction of being permitted to pass all guards and sentinels as could commissioned-officers. The names of the recipients were to have been kept in a “Book of Merit” (which has never been recovered).

At the present time there are three verified recipients of the Badge of Military Merit: Sergeant Elijah Churchill, 2nd Continental Dragoons; Sergeant William Brown, 5th Connecticut Continental Line Infantry and Sergeant Daniel Bissel, 2nd Connecticut Continental Line Infantry. Washington stated that the award was to be a permanent one, but once the Revolution ended, the Badge of Military Merit was all but forgotten until the 20th century.

General John J.“Blackjack” Pershing suggested a need for an award for merit in 1918, but it was not until 1932 that the modern Purple Heart was created in recognition of Washington’s ideals and for the bicentennial of his birth. General Order #3 announced the establishment of the award:

“… By order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart, established by General George Washington at Newburgh, August 7, 1782, during the War of the Revolution is hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements.

By order of the Secretary of War:
Douglas MacArthur
General, Chief of Staff

On May 28, 1932, 136 World War I veterans were conferred their Purple Hearts at Temple Hill, in New Windsor, NY. Temple Hill was the site of the New Windsor Cantonment, which was the final encampment of the Continental Army in the winter of 1782-1783. Today, the National Purple Heart continues the tradition begun on these grounds in 1932, of honoring those who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

Concluding Notes:

Because all US Service members who are killed in action (KIA) are awarded the Purple Heart award, this report includes all soldiers from Montgomery Township who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation from the Revolutionary War onward.  National Purple Heart Day (August 7^th) corresponds to the date on which General George Washington gave the order to establish the Badge of Military Merit in 1782; the predecessor to what became known as the Purple Heart award in 1932.

In doing the research and speaking with the families who responded to the Purple Heart in Our Community outreach, it was clear they are all grateful for the opportunity to tell and share these stories.  There is a powerful sense that they are as proud of their ancestor’s Purple Heart awards as the soldiers themselves surely were, and this article would not have been possible without each family’s diligence in preserving their memories.  It was a great honor to learn about these brave soldiers and deeply humbling to help bring their spirits back to life so that their service and sacrifices shall not forgotten.  It is eternally vital to help remind people of how perspectives on the past help shape their present; including opportunities they enjoy thanks to the sacrifices of others who came before them.

The spirit of this article is dedicated to the courage and selfless service of our Purple Heart recipients, and to all our Armed Service members (past and present), our police, firefighters, and EMS that exemplify these qualities in service to their communities and nation.  It is worthy of pondering how to create the best present and future society, and the human qualities necessary to do so; anyone willing to put their own lives on the line for the safety and freedom of others is high on that list. Montgomery Township is a wonderful place to live in large part due to the dedication and selflessness of our Service members and our 1^st Responders.

Contributing Authors:

Michael Maloney (U.S. Marine Corps, Retired and Member of the Montgomery Township Veterans Committee)

James Bushong (Member of the Montgomery Township Veterans Committee)

Barbara Preston (Editor-in-Chief, The Montgomery News)

The Service Members and their families that keep these memories alive and graciously shared them with the authors and our community

We are extremely grateful to
the individuals, organizations, and companies
who have so generously contributed
to the Montgomery Veterans Memorial
since 2002

Donations of Goods and Services

AMEC Electric, LLC
Blooms at Belle Mead
B.P.O.E. Princeton Lodge #2129 *
Belle Mead Co-Op *
Cianfrocca Builders
Clifton Landscape Contracting, Inc.
Dutchtown Nurseries *
Elite Restoration, Inc.
Geils Tree Specialists, Inc *
Gibraltar Rock of Belle Mead *
Green Valley Landscapes *
Hawk Construction Products
JK Design
Landscape Marshal*
Mapleton Nurseries *
Maspro-Imagery *
Meadow Services Inc.
MyParkingSign.com
Northern Nurseries
Perone Landscaping
Rich Designs
Selody Sod Farms
Straight Edge Striping
Sunset Creations
TechnicianX *
Trap Rock Industries
Van Cleef Engineering Associates *
Weingart Landscaping

Donations in excess of $10,000

3M Foundation
CGEM Group LLC *
Jerry and Linda Cianfrocca *

Donations of $5,000 or more

Stevenson D’Alessio American Legion Post 12
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Hugh & Kathy Dyer *
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies *

Donations of $2,500 or more

BBEC LLC Fundraisers
Hillsborough Memorial Post 8371 of VFW *
Herbert W. Hobler *
Montgomery PBA #355 *
Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotary Club
Princeton Orthopaedic Associates II *

Donations of $1,000 or more

Norma G. Arons *
Thomas and Danielle Devine *
Ethicon
Richard and Nancy Grosso, Sr.
Kristina and Alfred Hadinger *
Johnson and Johnson
William T. Lubas *
Mike and Kathy Maloney
Wade and LeeAnn Martin
Arthur and Shirley Martin
Montgomery Township School District Staff 2011
Mark & Allison Petraske *
Princeton Innkeepers – T/A The Tigers Tale *
F.J. and Margaret Ryan
Sharbell Development Corporation
Trap Rock Industries, Inc.
Clifford and Louise Wilson *

Donations of $500 or more

1st Constitution Bank
B.P.O.E. Princeton Lodge #2129 *
Bank of America Charitable Foundation *
Jeffrey and Heidi Cianfrocca
Convatec
Coppola & Coppola Associates
Daiichi-Sankyo
Kacey Dyer *
Hugh & Meegan Dyer *
Environmental Resolutions, Inc
Thomas P. Gallagher
Michael Gebhardt
Hopewell Valley Community Bank
William G. Hyncik, Jr. *
Mason, Griffin & Pierson
Donald and Patricia Matthews *
Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus
Donald and Patricia Prosser *
Lynne P. Seidel
Edward & Jaclyn Trzaska *
Kevin and Ginger Tylus
Georgia Whidden and Keith Wheelock

Donations of $250 or more

American Express Charitable Fund *
American Legion Post 304 *
John & Debbie Bolen
Bill and Judy Burks *
Mark and Patricia Caliguire *
Huguette Castaneda
William & Christine Dyer *
Marc Farley and Gwen Pollak Farley *
James and Carolyn Gilligan *
Harlingen Veterinary Clinic *
William and Nancy Jones
Sean R. Kelly
Terence and Sherilyn McCoy *
Montgomery Township Democratic Organization
Montgomery Township Education Association
Montgomery/Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance
Stephen and Susan Paneyko
Mary Reece
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Robert and Wanda Saums *
Willa & Michael Spicer
Julius and Catherine Szalay *
James and Mary Ellen Tietjen
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US
Peter & Candis Willis
Jon and Donna Winer *

Donations

Christine N. Abrahams
Marie Abrahamsen
Bruce E. Abrahms
V. Jack Abraitis
Agalloco & Associates
George Aldridge
Ricardo and Patricia Alessandri
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Allen
William Altiere
James and Karen Anderson
Ildiko Antal
Larry Apperson
Lois J. Arbegast
Chris and Sandra Arnold
Salvatore and Deanna Arnone
Charles and Esther Atchley
Edward Atoeff
Alfred and Mary Lou Augusta
Maxine H. Baicker
Baker Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Inc.
Steven Barrett
Jeff and Jackie Barth
Bed & Biscuit Inn
James and Deborah Bellina
Michael and Carol Beltranena
John M. Benda *
Donald S. Benito, Sr.
William and Nancy Bennett
Steven and Elaine Bergida
Thomas and Christine Berk
Michele P. & Paul A. Bernal
Glen and Heather Berry
Barry L. & Mary M. Bickel
Paul and Mary Biondi
Norman Birkland
Larry and Sylvia Blackman
William F. Blake
Gilbert Blitz
Charles and Gari Bloom
Eileen F. Bolt
Carmel and Denise Bonnaig
Richard and Francine Bono
Jane H. Bonthron
Terri, Alan, & Zoe Bookman *
Anthony and Hedwig Bottitta
Gil and Arlene Bougher
Walter R. Bowen
Steven L. Boynton *
R. Robert and Barbara Briggs
Jans & Althea Brower
Christopher and Anna Bruno
Susan Buck
Cammps Hardware & Lawn
Brian and Carol Campbell
Steven and Marge Cannon
Joseph and Lorine Cantelmo
Thom Carter
Patrick and Mary Ann Cashman
Finn M. Casperson
Gary and Candace Castellino
Benjamin and Patricia Catalano
Saffet and Abir Catovic
Thomas and Hildegard Cavanaugh *
Albert and Jean Cevasco *
Philip and Mary Chaikin
Ms. Lillian M. Chance
Matthew and Janice Chemidlin
Cherry Valley Country Club
V.A. and Teresa Chiusano
Chow’s Enterprises, Inc.
John and Ruth Cilo
Daniela Ciminella
Carlton and Gail Clough
John and Carmela Colamarino *
Edward and Priscilla Coleman *
Susan A. Coleman
Richard F. Collier Jr.
James and Geraldine Collins
Colonial Barber Shop, LLC
Flora Marie and Robert Comizzoli
Deborah E. Compte *
Kenneth V. Conover *
Nicholas and Jennifer Conte
Robert and Suzanne Cordier
Country Cabinet Shop
Ernest and Irene Cousino
Stephen and Susan Couture
Anita Cox
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Crisfield
Winifred P. Crocetti
Denis and Constance Cummings
Jim & Luisa Curry
Conrad and Janet D’Alessandro *
Stephen and Janet Danforth
Margaret L. Daniels
Joseph and Josephine Darcy
Alvin and Barbara Darvin
Stephen and Margaret Davis *
Stuart and Maria Davis *
Lucille G. Dawson
Steven and Patricia Day
Steven and Loretta De Rochi
Paul and Barbara DeBaylo
Jose and Hae-Young deLavalle
Theodore L. Delbo
Frank and Marilyn Delillo
Dental Center of Montgomery, LLLC
Steven & Loretta Derochi
Steven and Alisa Diemer
Albert and Jane Dilks
A. Paul and Anne Disdier
DPR Electric, Inc.
Lewis and Joyce Drake
Theodore and Marion Drake *
Douglas and Elizabeth Drbal
Heidi Dreyfuss *
Marie Drift
Frank & Noel Drift
Lawrence and Lori Dudek
Stephen and Diane Dugan
Lynn S. Dunham
Allistair and Marilyn Dunn
Michael and Karen Durik
Fredrick and Diane East
Victor and Ellen Elgort *
Shirley Ellis
Alma G. Engelman
Brian and Katherine Fallon
Joseph and Shelley Fallon
Brenda Fallon
Linda L. Fasano
Robert and Peggy Fass
Mary P. Fenton *
Walter & Rita Fenyk
Frances W. Ficken
Dr. Michael J. Fidanzato
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Guy Fillebrown
William and Nickole Forbes
Robert R. Ford and Barbara Marroccoli
Shurald Forde and Joanna Jones-Forde
Joseph Fortunato
Steven and Tracy Foxx
Kevin and Erica Gaffey
Charles G. & Mary E. Gall
Philip H. & Gail J. Gallo
Frederick and Tamara Garaffa
Philip Garrison
Benjamin and Morena Gazdowicz
Norman and Laura Gebhart
Hans and Lilian Geyer *
Deborah Giordano
Joseph and Christine Glancey
Lawrence and Virginia Goldberger
Bruce and Linda Goldstein
Ronald Gonzalez, M.D. and Ms. Elsa Negrin *
Thomas F. Gorman *
Stanley Linda Grabon
H. James and Carole Graff
Robert and Elizabeth Graffin
Gilman and Karen Graves
Green Valley Lawn & Landscape
Joseph and Diane Grosso
Buel K. Grow, Jr.
Bruce and Joan Guest
John and Ann Gueterman
George and Kathleen Guissi
Ruth Gunsel
Bill and Kathy Hackett
Nancy E. Hamilton
Shirley Handler *
Mrs. Mary E. Hardesty
Paul and Teresa Harrison
Nathaniel and Valerie Hartshorne
William Hausdoerffer
Ronald and Sylvia Hauser
John and Cathryn Heath
George and Mary Hefferman
George C. & Mary M. Heffernan
Gloria Hendrickson
G. Russell and Judith Henshaw
Gilbert and Cynthia Henyon
William J. Herbert
Sharon Herl
David and Deborah Herman
Frederick and Brigette Herrmann
Ronald and Barbara Hess *
Rudolf and Ingrid Heubach *
Robert Hilkert
Glenn & Sandra Hill
David and Carolyn Hoeschele
Betty Hogan
Gerard and Lori Hogan
Gerard and Linda Holzwarth
Frank & Joyce Homan
Honda of Princeton *
Glen and Nancy Hoos
Irving Horowitz DMD
Denise Houghton
Howard Design Group, Inc.
John and Cary Hunt
Sam Hunter
Keith and Maryann Hunter
Terrence M. Hurley
John and Mary Hurley
Daniel and Joan Huttar
Catherine Iervolino
Neil and Mary Jaffe
Herman and Alaine Jass
Stanley and Sandra Jensen
Robert Jerzewski and Heddie Martynowicz
John LaRue Auto Care
Fred N. Johnson *
Bruce & Kamala Johnson *
Jeff & Debbie Jones
E. Michael and Lucille Joye *
Camille Y. Kabat *
Stephen and Joan Karsay
Thomas and Lisa Karsay
Richard Karsay
Lawrence D. Kaufman
John and Linda Kazmark
Donna Kelly
Thomas Keneagy and Diane Weidman
Richard and Carole Keri
Earl Kim *
George and Patricia Kirk
A.B. and Pange Kirk
Richard D. Kirschner and Deborah K. Glick
Richard D. Kline
Abby Knuckey
Richard and Sara Kocinski
Nora A. Kolbert
Eleanora M. Kolbert *
Lawrence Koplik and Sarah Roberts
John and Carol Ann Kosztyo
Tyrone and Norma Jean Krause
Robert & Kathy Kress
Mary Kreyling *
F. David and Cynthia Kring
Edward Krisiloff and Susan Forster
Michael and Maria Kurowski
Ladies Auxilary to Hillsborough Memorial VFW
Jeanne K. Lamie
Debbie Lampf and Michael Kalison
Robert Lanning
Jane A. Lavoie
Thomas and Joan Leach
Warren and Dorothy Leback
Joyce Lefens
Thomas J. Lepionka
Richard and Patricia Lincoln *
Vida & Lawrence Lipowski
Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Lloyd
James and Mary Lotze
Peter and Debra Loupos
William and Johnna Lowery, Jr.
Edward and Beverly Lubas
Theodore and June Lubas
Joseph and Jane Maida
Kenneth Mailloux
Marilyn G. Malik
Eugene and Maryann Mancino *
Michael Mandracchia
Michael and Donalyn Marchio *
John Marincas
Donald and Lori Matthews
David and Mary Anne Maxwell
Larry and Pamela Mayewski
Eve Mazzella
Lawrence and Elizabeth Mazzeo
John and Sharon Mc Knight
McAlpin Fund
John and Gwen McCullagh *
William J. and Kathleen McCurry
Timothy and Ellen McDonald
McDonough & Rea
James McFadden
Timothy and K. Andrea McGahan
Arthur and Kim McGinnis
Kevin and Jayne McGuigan
William and Marianne McKechnie
Michael and Adrianne McNally
Anthony and Antoinette Melchione
Mary Menella
Joseph and Janet Merk *
Douglas and Karen Merritt
Douglas and Martha Merritt
Kathryn A. & Steven P. Metz & Heckel
Jack and Marion Michel
Donald and Tamara Mikolasy
Gary and Karen Milchanoski *
Cheryl C. Miller *
Maung & Lynn Min
Italo Minutello *
Mistretta Design Grooup LLC
Vincent J. & Bridget Moccio
Mark and Melissa Molnar
Montgomery Friends of Open Space, Inc.
Montgomery Upper Middle School Student Activities
Montgomery Woman’s Club
Moonwalk Adventures
Mary S. Moorehead
Craig A. Moorhead
Michael and Susan Moran
William J. Morocco
Augustine and Mary Ann Mosso
Sondra L. Moylan
David and Theresa Mullaney
Edward and Jennie Murphy *
Brian and Katherine Murphy
Donald and Margaret Murphy
Ralph and Ellen Myers *
S. Yegna and Janet Narayan
Joseph and Della Nemes *
Joseph and Francine Netska
Rainer and Mary Newman
NJ Beagle Club, Inc.
Rose Obinger
Lawrence and Elinor O’Brien
George and Patrice O’Donnell
Jeffrey and Lisa O’Hara
Joseph and Joyce Oliver
Vladimir Oliver
Kenneth and Jean Olsson
Mary Frances P. Opp
Stephanie Osborne
Robin Osborne
Kim Augustis Otis
Robert & Ruth Palmer
Anthony and Margaret Paolo
Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Parry
Ruth F. Patterson
Reginald & Lois Pauley
Andrew and Jane Pedinoff
Pelorus, Inc.
J. Edward and Marsha Penick
Kurt & Jill Perhach
Dennis and Elaine Perrine
Leon and Nancy Petelle
Judith A. Peters
Dale and Teri Peterson
Dr. John B. Peterson
G. Allen and Diane Pfanstiel *
Gary and Janet Phifer
Sarah M. Piller *
John and Angelina Pinelli
Pinto & Butler
Richard and Rosemarie Platt
Richard and Jean Pluta
Jeffrey and Melissa Podell
Edwin Podsiadlo *
Fred and Susan Pompa
Linda Popper *
Brian & Donna Potter
Presbyterian Homes of New Jersey Foundation
Darlene Prestbo *
Lucile S. Proctor
Mr. Thomas P. Proctor
Vincent and Lori Pugliese
Arne and Meta Rasmussen
William and Karen Rathyen
Walter and Margaret Raymond
Peter N. Rayner *
Red Oak Diner
James H. Reed
Kenneth and Louise Reilly
Michael J. Reilly
Reverie Farms
Jack and Betty Rieur *
Arun & Sanjana Rimal
Thomas and Karen Rocca
Rocky Hill Cleaners, Inc.
Joseph and Linda Romano
Harel & Paulette Rosen, M.D.
Benjamin Rozenblat and Mirna Rucci
William Ruggero and Jacqueline Davie-Ruggero
Allan and Ellen Ryan
Carmine and Barbara Salierno
Jeffrey and Melissa Salton *
Eugene and Josephine Sansone
Santa Fe Grille at the Rocky Hill Inn
Mark and Diane Schambra
Henry G. Scharf
Scharf’s Coach Works
Robert and Barbara Scheer
John and Patricia Scheidnagel
David and Doris Schmidt
David Schumer
Katherine R. Schwenker
Frank and Marilyn Sciotto
Paul and Grace Segalini
Frederic and Mitzi Seinfeld
Katherine M. Seitz
Richard Shadrach
Michael and Carol Shay
John and Hsiu Shen
John and Catherine Shockley
Randall and Corrine Siegel
Bob and Kathryne Simmons *
Simple.Net
Barry Singer
Michael and Cheryl Sisler
William D. Sivitz and Christina L. Schumacher
Harold and Jean Skillman *
Mr. Pete Slugg
William and Dorothy Slusarchyk
Edward A. Small
Leonard and Betty Jane Smith
James and Betsy Smith
Rich & Valerie Smith
Donald and Johanna Snedeker
Soos Radon & Electric, Inc.
Sovereign Bank
Rose Marie Spaeth *
Stella Speinheimer
Roger and Darlene Spohn
Ada Sponholtz
Robert A. Staats
Larry and Rochelle Steinberger
Joseph and Marsha Stencel *
Mark J. Stevens
William and Susan Strawderman
Thomas and Nancy Strickland
Sunset Creations
Swiss Precision Products, Inc.
Roy and Debra Taft
Robert and Diane Talarick
Paul and Joan Tellier
Grace Terhune *
Thomas and Barbara Tesar
Nancy Tetz
The Montgomery News
Thomas J. Kavanaugh VFW Post 2290
Raymond and Renee Tice
Time Out Childcare
Suzanne Townsend Living Trust
TRC Omni
Steven and Imogene Treble
Robert W. Van Arnum
Scott and Patricia Van Arsdalen
Anthony J. Vannella
Arthur and Kathryn Varga
Paul and Adrienne Vecchione
Yogi & Malini Waghray
Mr. Patrick J. Walsh
Patricia L. Walsh
P. Michael and Colleen Walsh
Ronald and Camille Walthall
Herman M. Ward
Margery B. Ward
Margaret A. Warms
Robert E. Warner
Linda Wase
Michael A. Wasyl DDS
Raymond and Micheline Watrous
David and Lynn Watson
Peter G. Weiland
Joe & Dale Weingart
Edmund C. Weiss, Jr.
Eberhard Weitze *
Patricia Wendling
Thomas West and Brenda Overcash
Westminister Wealth Management
John and Jayme Wheeler
Kendrick and Lisa White
James and Martha Wickenden
Karen Wintress
Harry and Kristina Wise
Arietta E. Wismer *
William and Kathleen Witwer
Edmund and Margaret Wnukowski
Leonard and Carol Wood
Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Woolley
Wronko & Loewen
Frederick and Donna Wyckoff
Raymond and Virginia Wyckoff
Donald Young
Kent and Lisa Youngberg
John and Patricia Zach
Elaine L. Zeltner
Karen Zimmerman

* Denotes those who have given multiple times

Fund Raising to Support the Memorial

Our building fund raising program was closed out with completion of construction of the Montgomery Veterans Memorial. Thanks to the generous contributions of money, goods, and services from the members of our community and those outside our community who support our efforts, we were able to complete the entire construction program with the resources that were available to us. One of the most remarkable features of our highly successful fund raising program was the number of individuals and organizations who gave multiple times during the course of our campaign, which began in 2002.

Although construction is now complete, our work with the Veterans Memorial is just beginning. We wish to continue improving the site with additional landscaping and other physical improvements, and we also want to begin some programs closely associated with the Veterans Memorial that will add value to our community. These undertakings require resources, and we anticipate opening additional fund-raising drives in the future in order to support these new and important initiatives.

We have closed our account with the Princeton Area Community Foundation and established a Dedicated Trust for the Montgomery Veterans Memorial.  The Trust is administered by Montgomery Township, and is for the exclusive benefit of our Veterans Memorial.  The Trust can accept bequests, legacies, and gifts, and the funds may not be used for any purpose other than to support the Montgomery Veterans Memorial.  All donations to the Montgomery Veterans Memorial are placed in the Dedicated Trust and are considered contributions to a recognized charity under the provisions of Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.  If you have any questions about reporting your donation you should consult your tax advisor.  Should you wish to make a donation in support of our Memorial, please make your check payable to “Montgomery Veterans Memorial” and mail it to:

Michael Pitts, Chief Financial Officer
Montgomery Township Municipal Building
2261 Van Horne Road – Route 206 North
Belle Mead, NJ 08502

NOTE – Published “Latest News” is actually a posts page.  None of below content will show, Add upcoming events under Posts, but Do Not Delete This Page. Copy events from here into Old News page after the fact.

MONTGOMERY MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY MAY 27, 2024

Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee will host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27 at 9:00 a.m. at the Memorial located in Montgomery Veterans Memorial Park, next to the upper parking lot on Harlingen Road, Belle Mead.  (See Google maps location.)

The Ceremony will feature opening and closing remarks from Veterans Committee Chairperson Dimitra Bairaktaris, the lowering of the flags by scouts, a message from a spiritual leader, reflections by Mayor Neena Singh, and the playing of Taps by a live bugler. Please join us to honor and remember our military service members who died while serving our country.

In the case of inclement weather the ceremony will take place in the chambers room in the Montgomery Municipal Center, 100 Community Drive, Skillman, NJ 08558. If a poor weather forecast dictates a decision to change the venue to indoors, an announcement will be made on the township website and Facebook page the week of the event.

LEARN ABOUT MONTGOMERY’S PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS

Montgomery Township has the honorable distinction of being designated a Purple Heart Community.  As part of the privilege of remembering and acknowledging the sacrifices of those who gave so much for the freedom and opportunities we have today, the Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee (MVMC) has created a repository of stories of “Purple Heart in Our Community.”

Please visit our Purple Heart Recipients webpage (link in left menu) to learn the stories and see photos of these amazing veterans!

If this distinction includes you or someone in your family and you have not yet spoken with the MVMC, please contact us via email at: mvmc@twp.montgomery.nj.us or call (908) 359-8211 Ext. 2279.

VETERANS DAY
THURS., NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Procession 3:00 pm  Ceremony 3:30pm

Montgomery Township will celebrate and honor our Veterans on Veterans Day, November 11th, 2021 starting with a Procession commencing at 3:00 p.m. at the intersection of Harlingen Road and Devon Drive and ending at the Montgomery Veterans Park on Harlingen Road. The Procession will be followed by a Ceremony starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial.

The celebration will include Presentation of Colors by the Boy and Girl Scouts, readings from Montgomery Lower Middle School students, musical selections by the Montgomery High School Band, recognition of our Veterans present, Rifle Salute by the American Legion Post 339 and the playing of Taps.  Speakers will include Reverend Christopher Heitkamp of the Harlingen Church; Mayor Devra Keenan of Montgomery Township; Guest Speaker Vincent Barragan, Captain, United States Army; Lisa Romano, Vice Principal of the Montgomery Township Lower Middle School; Mary McLoughlin, the Superintendent of Montgomery Township Schools; Mike Maloney of Rolling Thunder and Dimitra Bairaktaris, Chairperson of the Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee.   Come join us!

TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL MONTGOMERY MILITARY FAMILIES

Veterans Memorial Committee Seeking Purple Heart Recipients to Honor

Attention all US Military Veterans, Active-Duty Armed Service Members, and their Families residing within Montgomery Township:  We are a designated Purple Heart Community, and as part of this honorable distinction the Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee would like to recognize all Township residents who have earned or have had someone in their immediate family (including spouses and grandparents) who has earned the Purple Heart award.

Please contact:  mvmc@twp.montgomery.nj.us or (908) 359-8211 Ext. 2279 so that we can identify and recognize all our Purple Heart recipients and their families.  Thank you!

Memorial Day Ceremony May 31, 2021

The Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee will be hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 31st, 2021 at 9:00am at the Montgomery Veterans Memorial Park on Harlingen Road in Belle Mead, NJ.  The Ceremony will feature lowering of the flags by Montgomery Township Boy and Girl Scouts, a spiritual message provided by Reverend Christopher Heitkamp, reflections provided by Montgomery Mayor Devra Keenan and the playing of Taps.  Please join us on Memorial Day to honor and remember all our military service members who have died while serving our country.

In honor of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day March 29th, the Montgomery Twp. Veterans Memorial Committee would like to share the following impactful video message:

VETERANS DAY CEREMONY 2020

VIRTUAL CEREMONY  VIDEO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11th

The Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee has created a special Veterans Day 2020 Ceremony video which includes a narration of our ceremony using images, video messages, and more!

The video includes a narration of our ceremony by our committee chair using images for certain parts of our program and video messages from: Mayor Sadaf Jaffer, a spiritual leader, a guest speaker, a Rolling Thunder representative, and a special presentation from the Students of Montgomery Lower Middle School. A public in-person ceremony is not being held this year as a safety precaution due to the covid-19 pandemic. Please view above.

____________________________________________________

SEE PHOTOS OF THE 2019 VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE

Monday, November 11 the Montgomery community came together to give back to those who have given so much in service to our country.  U.S. service person, past and present, were honored at the Montgomery Veterans Memorial in Montgomery Veterans Park, Harlingen Road., Belle Mead.

The observance included Montgomery students reading their selected “Letters to Veterans.” 2019’s brief ceremony was held at 4:30 PM since it was a school day, so that more students and their families would be able to attend.

Please see this link for more detail:  VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE PROGRAM

ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Please join us on Monday, November 11 to give back to those who have given so much in service to our country!  All U.S. service person, past and present, will be honored. Held at the Montgomery Veterans Memorial in Montgomery Veterans Park, Harlingen Road., Belle Mead.

This year’s observance will include Montgomery students reading their selected “Letters to Veterans.” This year’s brief ceremony will be held at 4:30 PM since that Monday is a school day, so that more students and their families are able to attend. Due to the later hour, while the Montgomery High School Marching Band will play and first responders will be present, there will not be a procession first this year.

Please see this link for more detail:  VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE PROGRAM

____________________________________________________

Come join us at 9:00 AM on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018, at the Montgomery Veterans Memorial in Montgomery Veterans Park for a brief flag raising ceremony to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives serving the United States.

The Memorial is accessible from the Upper Parking Lot of the park and there is handicapped parking and also access to the nearby 9-11 Memorial.

The Montgomery Veterans Memorial is located adjacent to the upper parking lot of Montgomery Veterans Park, Harlingen Road, approx. 1/8 mile northeast of the corner of Harlingen and Devon Road, before Estates Blvd.  Event presented by the Montgomery Twp. Veterans Memorial Committee. For further information, email the MVMC at mvmc@twp.montgomery.nj.us.

___________________________________________

Former Mayor Robert Kress, MVMC Member, 1939-2018

We are very sorry to share news of the passing of an integral member of the Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee family, former Montgomery Mayor Robert Kress, on April 17, 2018.  Please follow this link to his obituary: https://memorials.bakerpostfh.com/robert-kress/3487023/obituary.php

Mr. Kress is fondly remembered and greatly appreciated for his many, many years of active volunteer service to Montgomery Township.  These included his tireless work from the very beginning in 1991 to fundraise for and with great joy at last, to oversee the construction of the Montgomery Veterans Memorial in 2011.  He was also active in developing the Veterans Day Observance Program, a well-attended event honoring our veterans, which has been held every year since the Memorial was built on Veterans Day, November 11th. He will be missed.

___________________________________________

Veterans Day Observance Nov. 11th

Montgomery Veterans Memorial
Upper Parking Area
Montgomery Veterans Park
Harlingen Road
Belle Mead, NJ 08502

You’re invited! Rain or Shine!

In sharing President Eisenhower’s 1954 Veterans Day Proclamation – “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose” – The Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee would like to invite everyone to our Special Veterans Day celebration this November 11th.

This Veterans Day marks the 7th Celebration at our Memorial, located in Montgomery Veterans Park off of Harlingen Road in Belle Mead.

Veterans Day is about Honoring Those Who Have Served and perhaps nowhere is that more important than in Montgomery!

Our very namesake, General Richard Montgomery, was a distinguished leader who served our country honorably and is widely recognized today as America’s first national hero after his courageous efforts in battle and falling on December 31st, 1775 in the Battle of Quebec. See: https://www.veteran.express/montgomery.express.html

The one hour Veterans Day event will include a procession and performance by the Montgomery High School Marching Band and first responders, presentation of the colors, patriotic speeches by local officials, and much more.  Remarks will be offered by Congressman Leonard Lance, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Joseph Kotch, a member of the Rolling Thunder veterans organization, Montgomery boy scout Srikar Surapaneni and girl scout Julia Garaffa.

This year will include something new: special costumed re-enactors from both the Civil War and WW II  including a President Lincoln Impersonator in full dress. They will be set up near the Veterans Memorial from approximately 10:00am to 2:00pm – well before and after the day’s celebration and ceremony.

Additionally, the POW/MIA CHAIR OF HONOR will be on display. The perpetually empty chair helps everyone to remember those service members who have not yet returned home – some 82,429 unaccounted for as of October 2017.

For the Procession & Ceremony itself – Please plan to arrive by 10:45am as Harlingen Road leading to the upper parking lot in both directions will be closed for the parade.

All are welcome to this family friendly event! The Veterans Memorial as well as the 911 Memorial and all areas of Veterans Park are now fully accessible to those in wheelchairs and with walkers etc.

Source: Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee

PURPLE HEART COMMUNITY  DEDICATION

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

6:00 PM
Montgomery Twp. Municipal Building
2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead, NJ 08502

This will be a brief ceremony to acknowledge Montgomery Township’s new designation as a “Purple Heart Community”.  This designation recognizes the sacrifice of all military members who have been wounded or killed while serving the nation in a time of war.  Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart will be present.

Keynote speaker will be Brigadier General Michael L. Cunniff is Adjutant General of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.

Accepting the honor on behalf of Montgomery and reading a Township resolution will be Montgomery Mayor Ed Trzaska, Administrator Donato Nieman, and Township Clerk Donna Kukla.

This event is intentionally set on the anniversary of Township resident Ashley Henderson-Huff being killed in Iraq. [KIA: 9.19.06] The United States military awarded First Lt. Huff the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. She was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge.  There will also be a special plaque and presentation honoring the memory of Lt. Henderson-Huff.  This brave soldier spent a good portion of her childhood in Montgomery and attended Montgomery High School.

There will also be special plaques and presentations honoring the memories of both Lt. Ashley Henderson-Huff and SP4 Stephen H. Warner, a young war correspondent killed in action in Vietnam.  Both of these brave soldiers hailed from Montgomery and attended Montgomery High School.

Although Ashley and Stephen were most the most recent, there are eight soldiers with stars next to their names on the Montgomery Veterans Memorial who were killed in action.  The eight are (in alphabetical order):

• George L Brown
• James Cray
• John A Cray
• Arthur S Dixon
• Ashley Henderson-Huff
• Michael Malko
• Charles Rospopa
• Stephen H Warner

______________________________________________________________

PATRIOTS DAY OPEN HOUSE

Monday September 11, 2017

9-11 Monument
Upper Parking Area
Montgomery Veterans Park
Harlingen Road
Belle Mead, NJ 08502

Two ‘open house’ hours of observance with MVMC volunteer staff available to answer questions will occur on Monday, September 11th at 9:45 AM and again at 7 PM. These two times are set up to foster remembrance and quiet reflection on the tragic events of the day as well as the bravery displayed by those who responded to the attack.  This is also a time to foster awareness when those who do not remember that day can learn about the occurrence and how it impacted specific lives, their loved ones, and indeed, all of America. The recently improved 9-11 Memorial site is also available daily during park hours to any respectful visitors.

____________________________________________________________________________

Memorial Day Ceremony

GO HERE FOR PHOTOS OF EVENT

10:00 am, Monday, May 29, 2017

Montgomery Veterans Memorial
Upper Parking Area
Montgomery Veterans Park
Harlingen Road
Belle Mead, NJ 08502

Come join us Monday, May 29 – Memorial Day 2017 – at the Montgomery Veterans Memorial in Montgomery Veterans Park for an hour to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives serving the United States. There will be a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at 10:00 am, concluding at the nearby 911 Memorial. The event will be held rain or shine.

The Ceremony will include brief speeches by (in order) Donato Nieman, Township Administrator; Mark Caliguire, Somerset County Freeholder and Veterans Memorial Committee Advisor; Pat Graham, Veterans Memorial Committee Liaison; and Ed Trzaska, Mayor of Montgomery and Veterans Memorial Committee Advisor.

We will conclude at the 911 Memorial with a re-dedication and ceremonious flag-raising using a Capital-flown flag provided by Congressman Leonard Lance. Montgomery Township Resident Eric Bulger, Retired Police Officer who was at Ground Zero on 9 11 and the weeks following will also speak.

The 9-11 Memorial has been updated with a new patio area and landscaping through the EP Henry HEROSCAPING Program. All hardscaping materials have been donated by EP Henry and additional materials, to include labor and landscaping, have been donated through a team-effort by Montgomery Township Public Works, Montgomery Cub/Boy Scouts, and several local businesses.

The ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes and there will be a 30 minute open house of both memorials afterwards.

The POW/MIA CHAIR OF HONOR will be on display and members of the Veterans Memorial Committee will be on hand to answer questions.

Both memorials are accessible from the newly paved Upper Parking Lot of the park and there is handicapped parking and accessibility (see locator map).

More information about the 9-11 restoration project can be found at: http://www.landscapemarshal.vet/911-memorial-1.html  and info on Revolutionary War Hero General Richard Montgomery, our Township’s namesake, can be found at: http://www.landscapemarshal.vet/montgomery-initiative.html

The Montgomery Veterans Memorial is located adjacent to the upper parking lot of Montgomery Veterans Park, Harlingen Road, approx. 1/8 mile northeast of the corner of Harlingen and Devon Road, before Estates Blvd. (see locator map.)  Presented by the Montgomery Twp. Veterans Memorial Committee. For further information, email the MVMC at mvmc@twp.montgomery.nj.us .

https://montgomeryveteransmemorial.org/category/news/