Community Corner

Honoring Our Veterans

Patch takes a look back at some of the ways residents have paid tribute to veterans.

Although are not planning a major memorial service on Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day, post members say they will the day taking part in individual activities such as visiting disabled veterans and attending services in other communities. The organization commemorated Veterans Day with a breakfast last week and will again honor veterans during the township's Fourth of July celebration in 2012.

But veterans are continuously being recognized in the township, as well as performing acts of community service. The following is a look back at some of the many ways in which the township has acknowleged veterans as well as how former servicemembers have given back to the community.

Sharing their experiences

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Last year, to commemorate , Patch sat down and chatted with Cranford residents who took up the uniform and served in the armed forces. While their experiences differed, sometimes radically, all veterans interviewed by Patch had one thing in common. They were proud to have served their country and let that pride shine through.

'In Flanders Fields...'

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Some local veterans are without health coverage. They may not have enough food, or the money they need to pay bills. With a sluggish economy and a sparse job market, there are times when those who have served our country simply do not have the means to meet their basic needs. Across the nation, VFWs participate in fundraisers to help veterans and their families in need of support. One such fundraiser, the , is being held this weekend throughout the country. Over the years, the members of VFW Post 335 on South Avenue have been extending the notion of service, helping each other through hard times. During the Poppy Drive, members of the VFW and the Ladies' Auxiliary will sell flowers outside of local shops, churches, the post office, and at the town fair to collect donations.

Taking it to the streets

In September, Brian Ennesser of Cranford, a veteran of the Iraq War, and his troop of bicyclists returned after a four-day, 400-mile ride to raise awareness and funds for , a charity that Ennesser founded two years ago after his mother passed away from ALS, just three months after she was diagnosed. This year, BIKE 4 ALS has raised more than $10,000 for the ALS Therapy Development Institute.

In their memory...

Cranford police, fireman, politicians, scouts, councils and organizations marched this in downtown Cranford to honor those who died serving our country. The parade began in front of the Community Center and finished at Memorial Park with festivities that included songs, speeches, gun salutes, a jet fly over, and a rememberance of those Cranford soldiers who died serving their country in war. This year's Grand Marshal was Captain Thomas W. Marotta.  Captain Marotta graduated from Cranford High in 1981 and served in the United States Navy where he was a highly decorated soldier and leader.

Ties to the Civil War

In April, local historian and retired lawyer , author of “Discover Your Community’s Civil War Heritage,” discussed his book at the . The book is the result of a question that Glazer had about Cranford and the Civil War: How many Civil War veterans lived in Cranford? When local historians could only name a few, Glazer decided to research the topic himself. Approximately 10 years later, he has found around 80 Civil War veterans that have, at one time or another, called Cranford home.

Honoring World War II Sacrifices

This past Dec. 7, a small crowd gathered at to remember the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on in Hawaii that drew the United States into World War II. Two thousand, four hundred three servicemen and women were killed on that morning.


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