Major in the Canadian military John McCrae penned the poem “In Flanders Fields” in the midst of World War I. In the wake of the same war, American Moina Michael stumbled across the poem and wrote a response called “We Shall Keep the Faith.” In this poem, Michael wrote “We cherish too, the poppy red/ That grows on fields where valor led/ It seems to signal to the skies/ That blood of heroes never dies”
When it comes to celebrating Memorial Day, it’s important to remember the men and women who gave their life for the United States. In Williamstown specifically, American Legion Post 252 is in the middle of setting up a memorial wall to remember the veterans.
Joe Reed, commander of American Legion Post 252, said a lot of veterans in town purchased the customizable bricks to build a nice display outside the post. For example, Reed’s says, “Joseph Reed 82nd Airborne 1963-66” but others can say things like “From the Reed Family.” The possibilities are endless.
The bricks are still for sale, an application is available at the post located on Sicklerville Road in Williamstown. The cost of the brick is $50.
On May 27, members of the American Legion Post and the VFW will meet up at 6 a.m. then go visit veterans graves in town. Reed said this process takes a few hours. The two groups have breakfast together before a parade starts at 11 a.m.
“We do all of this in conjunction with the VFW,” Reed said. “It’s not just the American Legion. We work together completely on this.”
To take it a step further, Monroe Township Municipal Utilities Authority ran a waterline to the veterans memorial located at the intersection of Main Street, Route 322 and Clayton Road. Councilman Greg Wolfe spoke on the matter.
“We have irrigation in that area to make it look nice, to take care of the memorial,” he said. “It was a nice gesture to spruce up that area.”
After the parade and ceremonies at the Main Street memorial, the American Legion Post will be open to the public for lunch. Reed said the post will serve hot dogs, hamburgers and refreshments.
“Our Memorial Day parade in Monroe Township is a great way for our community to not only recognize the veterans that are there but the ones that can’t attend,” Wolfe said. “I attended a lot of parades as a police officer, we’ve always had a very nice turnout from the community, The men, women and their families deserve it for all the sacrifices they made. It’s a great day for Monroe Township to recognize that.”
“To me it’s to remember the troops that never made it back,” Reed said. “That’s their day.”
