Commissioners honor WWII veterans with a proclamation
As Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, it seemed only fitting that the Haddonfield Board of Commissioners chose to honor World War II veterans with a proclamation at the Nov. 10 meeting. The proclamation named November 2014 World War II Veterans Remembrance Month.
“As I have said for several years, what an honor it is to have you with us year after year in remembering your service to the nation, especially because all of you served in the war. It is my honor to be mayor and to thank you for your service,” Mayor Jeff Kasko said.
“The World War II Memorial was dedicated to what has often been heralded as ‘The Greatest Generation.’ The memorial has a threefold purpose: to honor the more than 16 million men and women who served in uniform and the more than 400,000 Americans who died in the war, as well as millions more who supported the effort at home; to commemorate the entire nation’s participation in that war; and to honor the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the nation’s call to arms, and to serve as a lasting tribute to the spirit, sacrifice and commitment of the American people to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom in the world.
“The sons and daughters of Haddonfield rose to the challenge of World War II and served their country valiantly. After the war, these same sons and daughters continued to serve their community through hard work, sacrifice and reliability. Still, as members of American Legion Post 38 and other community clubs and activities, they continue to ‘give back.’
“It is for this reason that the Borough of Haddonfield has decided to ‘give back,’ in a very small way, to the members of ‘The Greatest Generation’ and named November 2014 as World War II Veterans Remembrance Month,” said Commissioner Neal Rochford, reading the proclamation.
The Board of Commissioners asked all Haddonfield residents to express their gratitude to our World War II veterans and their families.
“I hope that people will take some time out of their day to remember that it is Veterans Day,” Kasko said.
Three members of the American Legion, also World War II veterans, came to accept the proclamation from the borough. The men who accepted the award were 90 and 86 years old.
In other news:
• Commissioners approved a permit to allow the Haddonfield Cultural Events Commission to provide a public display of fireworks as part of the borough’s Annual First Night Celebration at Central Middle School from 8:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. The permit must still be approved by the borough’s chiefs of the police and fire departments, and the required surety must be provided by the fireworks operator.
• Commissioners authorized the advertisement to receive bids on auditorium sound and audio visual equipment for the borough.
According to Kasko, the sound system in Borough Hall in the upstairs auditorium is in dire need of an upgrade.
“Hopefully it will be much improved once we get some bids and get some new equipment,” Kasko said.
• Seven bids for the library additions and renovations were received and, ultimately, rejected by the commissioners. Of the bids submitted, all were over budget.
“We will go back and make adjustments to the bid and re-bid them and put them out in another two weeks,” Kasko said.
• The next commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
