Somber Tribute in South Orange for Local Heroes

With a bugler mournfully playing Taps across the pond, South Orange on Memorial Day held a solemn service for the local heroes of our nation’s wars.

A quiet crowd gathered under the shade of the park’s trees to reflect on the holiday. The group included veterans and families as Police Chief James Chelel and Fire Chief Jeff Markey placed wreaths by the memorial rock, which bear the names of South Orange’s fallen.

While Maplewood stepped out with a, the mood in South Orange was much more somber. Scouts in Troop 60 of the Boy Scouts of America read names of soldiers from South Orange killed in action – seven from World War I, six from Korea, five from Vietnam, two from Iraq, and 59 when World War II took its terrible toll.

“These men were more than names on an honor roll,” said Ed Matthews, a Marine during the Vietnam Conflict who presided over South Orange’s tribute. “These were sons, brothers, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, classmates, colleagues. Each was the most important person in someone’s life.”

Since gathered in this spot a year ago, Matthews remarked that another 372 Americans have lost their lives in war.

“No matter how we feel about the war, we should never permit our feelings about the cause to lessen in any way our respect, admiration or support for those who have fought for us and given their lives,” Matthews said.

Troop 60 presented two new flags at the ceremony, the Gold Star to recognize the families who have lost loved ones; and the POW-MIA to those missing in action, including two local men whose names are included on the village’s memorial rock.

What can you do in honor? asked Len Mrozak, who served with the Marine Corp in the Vietnam Conflict. Fly the flag, help wounded vets, attend these ceremonies, he told those gathered. “Then enjoy the barbeque, enjoy the beach because that’s what these guys lived and died for.”