A small crowd gathered at the War Memorial Monday to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The ceremonies included laying a wreath, firing a salute and lowering the flag to half-mast, along with prayers and remarks by officials.
Veterans from the American Legion Johnson-Jeter Post 219 and VFW Post 7474 took part.
Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs praised all who served and those serving now in the military, as well as those who have returned "a little differently than they left us."The mayor also took the occasion to speak against gun violence in the city, which has seen multiple shootings in recent weeks.
"Put down the guns," she said. "The city of Plainfield is not in a war."
She asked those present to call on anyone they know who is involved in the shootings to "cease and desist."
Emily Washington, past Union County American Legion president, asked those present to give a yellow rose symbolizing peace to any veterans they know.
Veteran John Pritchard rendered an original lyric, "Names Upon the Wall," to the tune of an Elton John song.
World War II veteran Lewis D. Matthews was an honored guest at the ceremony.
Commander Lamar Mackson of American Legion Johnson-Jeter Post 219 and Commander Leroy Sampson of VFW Post 7474 placed a wreath on the memorial.Asked about confusion over the time of the ceremony, Mackson took the blame for not having sent out a press release, saying he just took the post. One person arrived at 9 a.m. and a couple arrived at 11 a.m., just as the ceremony concluded. The Central Board of Veterans Organizations of Plainfield began the morning with memorial services at 9 a.m. in Evergreen Cemetery and 9:30 a.m. memorial services at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, preceding the 10 a.m. services at the War Memorial.
--Bernice Paglia
A time and place for everything....??
ReplyDeleteI am sure most of the Veterans at the service ran home and called their grand kids to quit the turf war over drug sales after the Mayor reminded the audience.
Rob speaks like a true lover of Plainfield. Not.
ReplyDeleteOh...Anonymous at 5:48PM...Maybe the Mayor should have gone to SOUTH Plainfield or NORTH Plainfield to tell them to "stop the violence" in Plainfield as that would make as much sense as discussing it with a bunch of WORLD WAR II VETERANS. That's the point. IF and I do MEAN IF that hot mess of a Mayor wanted to do some good she would put her "heartfelt" effort into to speaking to... COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS, HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS etc etc...NOT THE EVER SO PRONE TO VIOLENCE.. WORLD WAR II VETS.
ReplyDeleteAnd if loving Plainfield involves sticking your head in the sand and screaming "ALL IS WELL" and doing NOTHING TO HELP IT while its tearing apart at the social seems...You are correct, the Mayor LOVES PLAINFIELD. AND JERRY LOVES IT EVEN MORE.