Mayor’s Message: Bernie Platt
For many Americans, Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer.
It’s a day for picnics, barbecues and family gatherings.
It’s a day at the beach; a sign that it’s time to open up the swimming pool; a sign that the kids will soon be finished with school.
But in the midst of these festivities, I believe too many of us overlook the holiday’s true meaning. Memorial Day, after all, was founded as a day of remembrance of those who’ve died in service to our country; of those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country’s freedom throughout the world — from the Civil War to the World Wars, to Vietnam and Korea, to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Here in Cherry Hill, of course, Memorial Day holds special meaning. In the past five years, our community has suffered two tremendous losses in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Capt. Gregory Dalessio and Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy Kane grew up on opposite sides of Cherry Hill — Capt. Dalessio was a Knollwood resident, while Lance Cpl. Kane hailed from Woodcrest. But their journeys in life would ultimately lead them in the same direction: into the military, to defend our great nation in the War on Terror, and ultimately, to a tragic end that would cut those journeys short much too soon.
This Monday, May 30, Town Hall will host Cherry Hill’s annual Memorial Day observance. At 11 a.m., elected officials, members of American Legion Post 372 and Jewish War Veterans Post 126, and men and women from around our community, will gather together to honor these two hometown heroes and the more than 1 million others who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the United States throughout history.
These brave individuals in our Armed Forces paid the highest price in doing what they believed was the right thing, and I believe it is our responsibility as Americans to preserve their memories.
I would like to extend a special invitation to any veterans and active-duty military personnel to join us for this special ceremony — as we would like to recognize each and every one of you. Each and every day that you serve your country, you risk your own lives to safeguard the American ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness throughout this world.
While this is a day to remember your fallen comrades, in particular, we can never forget the heroism and selflessness displayed by all of Cherry Hill’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines throughout history.
For more information on this special event, or if you’re a veteran or active-duty military planning to attend, please contact the Cherry Hill Recreation Department at 488–7868 so that we may personally recognize you.
To Cherry Hill residents everywhere: I hope you’ll take an hour out of your morning on May 30 to break away from the BBQ preparations and help us honor our fallen heroes.
After all, it is because of their sacrifice that we are free to hold those barbecues. They said goodbye to their families so that we could spend each summer with ours.
