Learn about Warren County’s War Memorial, pictured in Charlie’s photo of the week, and then about some day trips you might take this summer to continue to honor those who have served.

My Memorial Day activities began Friday the 24th with a ride to Restland Cemetery in East Hanover (Morris County) to place American Flags on the grave sites of my father and five uncles.  Next was a trip to Belvidere to take some photos of the Warren County War Memorial for this article.

The Warren County War Memorial, located just outside the historic Warren County Courthouse in Belvidere.  A truly stirring memorial, it consists of numerous flags, memorial monuments, and statues celebrating freedom, with a solemn reminder of the price paid: the names of the men and women from Warren County who made the ultimate sacrifice to give us that Freedom!! 

What an appropriate location!  Built in 1826, the historic courthouse serves as a backdrop. It has been over-seeing the adjudication of justice, thus protecting many of those very freedoms so valiantly fought for by these fallen heroes!!  A beautiful public park sitting across the street from the Courthouse and Memorial offers a serene setting of lush green under a towering canopy of ancient tall trees.  All this, with an important observation, this site is located off a busy sidewalk and street, thus, always offering a reminder to the many, just passing by, even if they don’t stop for a formal visit. Thus, this setting offers a sense of Memorial Day – 365 days a year!! 

The photos I have linked below for this MEMORIAL DAY message will hopefully serve a dual purpose!  To remind and to inform!!

First, I hope the photos below will be a reminder that Memorial Day is a special time, a time for ALL of us, to HONOR, REMEMBER and give a heartfelt THANK YOU, to ALL the servicemen and women that made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country and preserving our freedom!!  That very freedom has allowed us over our lifetimes to enjoy so many wonderful benefits and privileges!!  Let us remember, many of these fallen were very young, and thus, never they had the opportunity to experience many of life’s wonders and joys!!

Secondly, I hope some of these photos will offer some information about some wonderful places to visit within day trip distance of Warren County!!  I have labeled each photo to aid you in identifying what and where they are from!!  In the Fleet Week photos, the first ship is the USS New York, made from steel from the World Trade Center buildings.  The Merchant Marine Memorial is located along the Hudson River in Battery Park.  The Battleship New Jersey is located in the Delaware River in Camden across from Philadelphia, Pa.  The old Cruiser Olympia is moored in Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, not far from Independence Center and our Liberty Bell!

There are three photos from my father’s war photos.  These are A-20 aircraft, medium attack bombers used in low level bombing and strafing raids.  The photos are from an attack against Japanese fuel depots.  My father always reminisced that during those high speed and low level bombing and strafing runs, when you were hit, you usually were gone! This struck A-20 is being given a final escort and salute by one of its fellow attack bombers!! 

The photo of the George Washington Bridge shows the largest free hanging flag in the world.  It is displayed for several days during certain holidays AND, I may add, is a stirring sight to see!!

In the photo of the statue at Liberty State Park along the Hudson, the ship in the background was the Queen Elizabeth II on one of her maiden voyages, the largest passenger ship in the world at the time.  This is a great area to visit: open spaces plus beautiful wide walkways along the harbor viewing the Statue of Liberty and New York City!!

Also pictured is The Memorial Arch at Valley Forge National Park, and the New Jersey Korean War Memorial on the Boardwalk at Atlantic City!!

Memorial Day is the traditional kickoff for the Summer Season, BUT, keep in mind, Summer arrives officially, according to the calendar, on June 21, the day of the year with the longest daylight!!

Please visit my Flickr site for photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157652909554018

HAVE A WONDERFUL MEMORIAL DAY with your family and friends, and take full advantage of all the wonderful opportunities afforded us by our Freedom!!! 

****Remember, HONOR and BE THANKFUL for our precious FREEDOM: They made the ultimate sacrifice obtaining and preserving it!!!****

Enjoy your open space!

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President