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This memorial was rededicated on November 11,
2000,
after funds were raised to refurbish the monument.
The flag pole and
pedestal memorial were destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. The memorial was
rebuilt in time for Memorial Day ceremonies in May 2014. Photos are of the
original monument pre-hurricane.
Photos
Copyright © 2002-2014 by
Anthony Buccino
All Rights Reserved
Armistice Day 83 Years
Later
Nutley Re-Dedicates World War
II Monument to Veterans |
NJHometown News, Nov. 11, 2000 -- Mayor Peter Scarpelli
rededicated Nutley’s World War Two Monument this afternoon in a
highly emotional Veterans’ Day program witnessed by nearly 300
veterans and grateful citizens.
"Nearly 3,000 young
people from our town went to war," Mayor Peter Scarpelli
reminded.
"That meant that every
7th person from Nutley joined the fight. The danger to
our country was real and it was serious," Scarpelli
recalled.
"This memorial rightfully will
stand for generations, reminding us that freedom isn’t free," the
mayor continued. He asked those attending to "come back here
again and again and pause for a moment to reflect upon the
sacrifices these veterans made for us
"It is
my honor to rededicate Nutley's World War Two Monument to the brave
men and women who fought to make this world safe for
democracy."
The hour-long program
presided over by retired Navy Captain Frank Garruto included remarks
from three well known veterans – Assemblyman John Kelly, Public
Safety Director Carmen Orechio, and Police Sergeant Steve Rogers, a
lieutenant in the Navy Reserve. Commanders of the Nutley Veterans
Council, AMVETS, VFW, and American Legion Posts read the
names of the 88 Nutley residents who lost their lives in World War
11. As the names were read, a bell tolled over the sound of of a
snare drum. And when the reading of the names ended, the Nutley High
School choir responded, first with the hymn "Eternal Father" and
then with the upbeat "God Bless the USA."
"The Greatest
Generation"
Rogers
called those who served in World War II "the greatest generation
that ever walked the face of the earth. Hundreds and hundreds from
our town committed their lives, their homes and their dreams to a
nation which at the time of their service was faced by a
brutal and vicious enemy. These men and women left their
lives, their hopes and dreams and went to a faraway land in a
faraway place that they never heard of and had never seen in heir
youth.
"Today in this new century, we live
unde the Stars and Stripes because they lived under the bombs and
the bullets," Rogers said.
Commissioner
Orechio noted the appropriateness of the dedication’s physical
setting, surrounded by a church, the town hall, the public safety
building and the municipal court – "all things representative of the
freedoms we fought to preserve." He asked for a renewed spirit to
recall the sacrifices of those who fought in America's wars.
"Unfortunately, too many people view these holidays as an
opportunity for a three-day weekend rather than a commemoration of
the great sacrifices so many men and women have made in war to
preserve our freedoms."
Nutley's Wall of
Heroes
Garruto called attention to "one of
the most important parts of this World War II monument and that is
the wall of heroes behind me which has been engraved with the names
of the nearly 2,000 young men and women from Nutley who served in
that great conflict. When you read those names, it’s easy to
recognize that so many of those who wore America’s uniform
came home to build today’s community we call Nutley – one of the
greatest communities in America
today."
Also participating were VFW Post
Color Guard under Capt. Andrew Vyniski, Nutley Girl Scouts under
unit manager Mrs. Cheryl Josi, Boy Scout Troop 147 under Scoutmaster
Tony Dalfino, Boy Scout Tro0p 142 under Scoutmaster Mark
Pugliese.
Sam Vitale, sang the National
Anthem. The Rev. Dr. Robert C. Cole, pastor of the First
Baptist Church of Nutley, offered the
invocation.
Others speakers included
Leonard A. Peduto, chairman of the World War II Memorial Fund,, and
the Rev. Msgr. Peter J. Zaccardo, pastor of Holy Family Church, who
offered the Benediction.
The names of
the 88 young men who were killed in World War II were read by Nelson
W. Rummel, commander of AMVETS Post 30, Richard McClintick,
commander of American Legion Post 70, Dennis M. Buesing, Commander
VFW Stewart E. Edgar Post 493, and James J. Adams, president of the
Nutley Veterans Council.
Among those seated on
the dais were Commissioners Garry Furnari, Joanne Cocchiola and
Mauro G. Tucci. Also introduced were those serving with Peduto on
the World War II Memorial Committee: Dan Marese, co-chair, Nelson W.
Rummel, Andy Andriola, Anthony Capriglione, retiried Commissioner
Frank A. Cocchiola, Ralph DeLibro,, Frank Lemma, James Orsini and
Tom Pandolfi.
- Courtesy Phil White, Nutley
Hometown
This three-panel monument lists all the Nutley Sons
who
served in WWII. Monument close-up
Photos
Copyright © 2002 by
Anthony Buccino |
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