Hi folks, this is a Memorial Day message I used earlier and then modified same.  I liked the message and thought why re-invent the wheel?

Photo of the Week is the Warren County War Memorial, located just outside the historic Warren County Court House in Belvidere.  A truly stirring Memorial, consisting of numerous flags, memorial monuments and statues, celebrating Freedom with a solemn reminder, the price paid for our Freedom along with names of the men and women from Warren County who made the ultimate sacrifice, paying for that Freedom!

What an appropriate location!  The historic Court House, built in 1826, as a backdrop, 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 setting across the street from the Court House and Memorial, offering 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 and sending a reminder that reaches many, even if they don’t stop for a formal visit. The setting offers a sense of Memorial Day – 365 days a year! 

Memorial Day is the traditional kickoff for the Summer Season, BUT, remember, Summer arrives officially, according to the calendar, on June 21st!  With Americans finally beginning to get free from the yoke of restrictions, due to the Covid pandemic, I have to believe many have been dreaming about this weekend and this Summer for quite some time!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Holiday Weekend!  Make note:  On Memorial Day – The first half of the day (Flag at Half Mast) is for Remembering, Honoring and Giving Thanks for the ultimate sacrifices made by our fallen Heroes!  Noon, when the flag is (restored at full mast), Go out with your Families and CELEBRATE those very gifts bestowed on us by those sacrifices.

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

First, I hope the photos 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 that most of these fallen were very young, thus, never ever experienced any of life’s wonders and joys.

Secondly, I hope these photos will offer some information about some wonderful places to visit!  I have labeled each photo, to aid you in identifying what and where they are from!!  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, Philadelphia not far from Independence Center and our Liberty Bell!!  ***Please visit my Flickr site for these photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157652909554018 ***

Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend with your Family and Friends, take full advantage of all the wonderful opportunities afforded us by our Freedom, AND Remember, Honor and be Thankful for that Freedom – THEY made the ultimate sacrifice for it!

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space  

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman    

Allamuchy Historical Society – Presidentr