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Community Corner

Ceremony Honors Lawrence Township's Veterans

Veterans' Day service was held at American Legion Post 414 in Lawrence Township last week.

Lawrence Township residents, veterans and their families last week gathered at for a Veterans’ Day ceremony to honor those who have and are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States.

At the start of the event last Friday (Nov. 11), Post 414 Commander Charles A. Brothers Jr. welcomed all who were in attendance and introduced the master of ceremonies for that morning, David Snedeker of the New Jersey Army Reserve National Guard.

Snedeker announced the posting of the colors by the Post 414 Color Guard and read a Veterans’ Day statement from Gov. Chris Christie recognizing New Jersey’s veterans.

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“I am honored to be governor of a state with so many heroic and honorable men and women who have served with distinction,” read Christie’s statement. “We are forever grateful for their service, today and every day.”

Attendees were then led in the “Pledge of Allegiance” by Cub Scouts Liam Collins, Tommy DeMarco, Noah Lehrfeld, James Kildea and Tyler Van Hise from Den 1 of Lawrence Township Cub Scout Pack 28.

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Following the “Pledge of Allegiance,” Lawrence High School Madrigal Choir performers Madelyn Curtin and Jason Bembry led attendees in the national anthem.

The ceremony continued with Veterans’ Day remarks by Mayor Greg Puliti who showed his and Lawrence Township’s appreciation for the veterans.

“We will always remember what the veterans did for us,” said Puliti. “We will honor you now and always.”

Also sharing Veterans’ Day remarks was Betty Mohasti from the American Legion Post 414 Women’s Auxiliary, who gave an emotional speech about war and freedom.

“Our hearts beat in tune with those in other nations fighting for freedom and the dignity and opportunity of mankind,” said Mohasti. “There is need for unity of purpose, if we truly are to move forward for the brighter tomorrow.”

Cadet Capt. Lauren Gutierrez of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, delivering the morning’s keynote address, then described her experiences in the military. Coming from long line of veterans, Gutierrez said she “decided at a young age” that she wanted to be in the military.

Sharing her recent training stories, Guiterrez joked that her father, a Marine, would poke fun at the fact that she and her fellow cadets were served cake at the end of each day, and he would call her group “Camp Cupcake”. Although Guiterrez admitted the cake was a nice treat, she also assured veterans that training in today’s military is still rigorous. 

Guiterrez concluded her address by describing how proud she felt that all the posts she had seen on Facebook earlier that morning were from people thanking the veterans of the nation. Before taking her seat, Guiterrez expressed her personal gratitude to the veterans before her.

“Thank all of you who have served the country,” said Guiterrez.

Pearl Harbor survivor and retired Lawrence Township police officer James J. Hewitt next shared his memories of World War II and his time in the military. Attendees both laughed and became emotional as Hewitt described the good and the bad times he had while serving the nation.

Following Hewitt’s speech, both Curtin and Bembry returned to lead the attendees in “God Bless America” while the Post 414 Color Guard retired the colors.

Snedeker asked all attendees and veterans to step outside for a Veterans’ Day prayer and the placing of a wreath by Puliti, Guiterrez, Brothers and Commander Joseph Martino of Lawrence Township .

To conclude the ceremony, Curtin and Bembry sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” while a bell was rung at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in recognition of the end of World War I in 1918.

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