For many Americans, Memorial Day has become a holiday spent with friends and families over barbecues and other festivities.
But in the midst of those celebrations, we must not forget that, first and foremost, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance.
It is a day to honor the men and women throughout history who have 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.
Memorial Day is a day to recognize the willingness of ordinary men and women to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this Earth.”
This year, instead of simply celebrating a day off from work and school, I invite all Cherry Hill residents to join us for the township’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Municipal Complex, 820 Mercer St.
In addition to our traditional tribute, this year’s event will include the rededication of the township’s War Memorial, to include the names of three young men killed in combat in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: Lt. Col. John Spahr and Capt. Gregory Dalessio, who were killed in Iraq in 2005 and 2008, respectively; and Lance Cpl. Jeremy Kane, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010.
These three men were from different backgrounds and separate neighborhoods in Cherry Hill, but their journeys in life would ultimately lead them in the same direction: into the military, to defend our great nation, and ultimately, to a tragic end that would cut those journeys short much too soon.
We will pay tribute to their sacrifice, and recognize their families’ sacrifices, as part of this year’s ceremony.
The afternoon also includes recognition of veterans who passed away in 2012, and a musical tribute to our Armed Forces by the Cherry Hill Pine Barons Chorus. Fort Dix Commander Col. Jeffrey Doll will deliver the keynote address.
While this is a day to remember the fallen, we can also never forget the heroism and selflessness displayed by all Cherry Hill’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines throughout history. I would like to personally invite any veterans and active-duty military living in Cherry Hill to join us as well, so that we may also recognize your service.
The ceremony will take place rain or shine and is an opportunity for Cherry Hill residents to take a moment to say “thank you” to those who continue to serve, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the sacrifices that our soldiers’ loved ones make, as well.
We are proud to partner with American Legion Post 372, Jewish War Veterans Furer-Barag-Wolf Post 126 and ShopRite Supermarkets of Cherry Hill to present this day of remembrance, and I invite all attendees to enjoy a free barbecue lunch after the ceremony, provided by ShopRite Supermarkets of Cherry Hill. For more information, please contact the Cherry Hill Recreation Department at 488–7868.
I hope that all Cherry Hill residents will take an hour out of their day to join us for this special ceremony as we honor our heroes and recognize their sacrifices.
