WHITE TWP., October 28, 2009 – Warren County will mark Veterans’ Awareness Week November 8-15 after Board of Chosen Freeholders urged the public to remember all those who served or are currently serving in the military during wartime.
“We celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 officially, but every day is Veterans Day, that’s the way we should all feel about it,” Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner said.
The freeholders proclaimed the entire week that includes the national Veterans Day holiday to be Veterans’ Awareness Week. Referring to the Warren County War Memorial located next to the Courthouse in Belvidere, Gardner said, “We urge all citizens to visit this Memorial and pay respect to the women and men whose names appear on this monument as well as to all veterans who served their country during all wars.”
“These are the individuals, the ladies and men that have protected our freedoms and have given so much,” Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain said. “One thing you should do, if you see a soldier in uniform, go up and shake his hand and thank him. They appreciate it, and we want them to know we care about them, and we respect all they do to protect the freedoms we enjoy here in this country,” he added.
“I think this country owes them a great debt. We should never forget those individuals, and never stop searching for those who have not made it back,” Chamberlain remarked.
The freeholders’ proclamation notes the county is committed to remembering all veterans who served their country and those who are still missing in action or were prisoners of war.
The freeholders also paid tribute to the Warren County War Memorial Corporation, the organization that developed the monument and continues to maintain it.
“It is a great memorial we have outside the Courthouse in Belvidere,” Freeholder Angelo Accetturo said. “We have a lot of ceremonies out there, and when we do, it’s nice to see a lot of people come out for them. They’re always quite moving,” he added.
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The next ceremony at the county War Memorial will be held on the eve of Veterans Day, at 6 p.m., said War Memorial Corporation President Dennis Smith, who accepted the Veterans’ Awareness Week proclamation from the Freeholder Board. The freeholders will be participating in that ceremony, which is open to the public.
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Dennis Smith, president of the Warren County War Memorial Corporation, is congratulated by Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain after received a proclamation declaring November 8-15 to be Veterans’ Awareness Week from Chamberlain, Freeholder Angelo Accetturo and Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner.
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Smith noted this year’s ceremony “will be a harder one for us,” as it will include recognizing Belvidere native Charles J. “CJ” Liegel, Jr., a U.S. Army staff sergeant whose name was recently added to the monument. Although Liegel did not die in combat – he was murdered in 2007 – his death occurred while he was in the service during wartime, making his name eligible for inclusion on the War Memorial.
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WHEREAS, in Warren County, over 296 men and women sacrificed their freedom and lives in the service to their county and country; and
WHEREAS, in Warren County we are committed to remembering all veterans who served their country and those still Missing in Action and Prisoners of War; and
WHEREAS, in our quest to maintain peace and oppose all aggressive acts against our freedoms, we hope that this monument will stand as a historical reminder of our country’s heritage and for those whose lives were given in the pursuit of democracy; and
WHEREAS, we hereby express our gratitude to all Warren County veterans who have served their country since the birth of this great nation and to those who may be called to guard our shores in the future; and
Richard D. Gardner, Director
Everett A. Chamberlain, Deputy Director
Angelo Accetturo, Freeholder |
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WHEREAS, this memorial will remind everyone of the personal sacrifices made by war veterans so that generations of American citizens could, and may continue to enjoy our country’s freedoms; and
WHEREAS, our memorial is a public place to pause, reflect and remember;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in recognition of the important work done by the Warren County War Memorial Corporation Members, the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Warren does hereby proclaim the week of November 8-15, 2009 as Veterans’ Awareness Week and we urge all citizens to visit this Memorial and pay respect to the women and men whose names appear on this monument as well as to all veterans who served their country during all wars and in the hope that by remembering what the issues were in the past that they can be worked out in a peaceful manner for all future generations. |