Nutley Remembers Her Fallen with Ceremonies Before the 103rd Memorial Day Parade

NUTLEY, NJ - “Remember and Honor” are printed on Nutley’s Memorial Day 103rd Parade program. The day kicked off Monday morning, May 27 by laying wreaths on the Nutley war memorials. It continued with the Firefighters' Memorial Service at the Public Safety Building led by Fire Chief Paul Cafone and Commissioner Alphone Petracco. Afterward, everyone assembled at the Frank V. Tangorra Field, also known as the Nutley Park Oval, for the parade.

The weather held together for the ceremonies and parade following early morning showers.

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This year’s grand marshal was Courtney Johnson of the Nutley Cultural Inclusion and Diversity Council. Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. In 2007, he retired as a gunnery sergeant.

Newly installed commander of the Nutley Veterans of Foreign Wars Stuart E. Edgar Post 493, John P. McGuire of the Nutley Veterans Council was again the Master of Ceremonies.

Dignitaries present included Assemblyman Michael Venezia, Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales, Nutley Mayor John V. Kelly III and Commissioners Thomas J. Evans, Alphonse Petracco, Joseph P. Scarpelli and Mauro G. Tucci, Nutley Police Chief Thomas J. Strumolo Jr., Deputy Chief Gerard Green, Township Attorney Jonathan Bruno and Board of Education members Nicholas Scotti and Tom D'Elia. It was noted that New Jersey Senator Britnee N. Timberlake was at the war memorials ceremony earlier.

Mayor Kelly made a speech remembering the 145 people from Nutley who died serving in wars for the United States. “It was a sacrifice of love, a love of this country, a love of family and a love of this great town that we are able to live in a free and great country because of their sacrifice,” he said.

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Sephora Santiago sang the National Anthem and Nutley High School senior Gabriella Gigante and sophomore Matthew Loeser performed “Taps.” The VFW Post 493 Color Guard gave the ceremonial three-volley salute.

The Rev. David LeDuc of Vincent United Methodist Church led the invocation. “We gather to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country so that we might live in safety and security, freedom and liberty, independence and democracy. [...] Help us to break down the walls that divide us and lift up so much that unites us as a community as Americans as a global family,” he said. LeDuc will be retiring in June.

Grand Marshal Johnson delivered a speech from the viewing stand of the Oval. “Memorial Day is a time for reflection, a time to pay tribute to those who have given their lives to protect our freedom,” he said.

He spoke about his time serving in the Marines. “I am extremely grateful to be alive,” he said.

According to Johnson, during his deployment, he was one of only two enlisted Marines given battlefield officer billets as platoon commanders. He said that he prayed every night that they would all come home safely. “And we did come home safe. Hallelujah,” he said.

He reminded the crowd why they were there celebrating. “Today, as we stand together in unity and gratitude, we are reminded that the liberties we enjoy come at a great cost,” he said as he mentioned those who died in war. He added, “We owe a profound debt of gratitude to these heroes. Their selflessness has ensured that we continue to live in a land of opportunity, justice, and freedom.”

Additionally, he recognized the families of the fallen heroes. “Their strength and resilience in the face of such heartache are a testament to the enduring spirit of the American people. We must support them, remember them, and keep their sacrifices at the forefront of our national consciousness,” he said.

He concluded by saying, “Semper Fi!”

Semper Fi, the U.S. Marine Corps motto, is short for Semper Fidelis Latin for "always faithful" or "always loyal."

The ceremony ended, and the parade marched off from the Oval to Chestnut Street and proceeded to Passaic Avenue to Centre Street and finally to the viewing stands in front of John H. Walker Middle School on Franklin Avenue.

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