Memorial Day in South Orange and Maplewood, NJ

Maplewood and South Orange, NJ – May 27, 2024, was Memorial Day and the observances for both towns that comprise SOMA had been carefully planned. However, the weather executed changes to the plans.

In South Orange the Memorial Ceremony was canceled early in the morning while the heavy rain was still falling.

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In Maplewood, the decision was made a bit later in the morning, and there was a reprieve from the rainstorm, allowing the plans to go forward. However, due to a policy prohibiting school musical instruments to be used in the rain, the Columbia High School Band did not participate.

The observance started with a parade, filled with Boy Scouts children from the various Elementary Schools in SOMA, members of the Township Committee, South Essex Fire Department, Maplewood Police, VFW, and others. It marched up West Parker to Maplewood Avenue, through Downtown, onto Baker St, to Valley Street and culminated at Maplewood Municipal Building.

The Ceremony opened with the Presentation of the Colors by Maplewood Boy Scout Troop 5 Color Guard, followed by Deputy Mayor Jamaine Cripe pinch hitting for the CHS Band, leading the singing of The National Anthem.

Mayor Adams Introduced Ella Levy, a CHS Student who has the honor of being “Mayor for the Day”.

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The Invocation was delivered by Rev. Jessica Dixon-Ebner Pastor, Prospect Presbyterian Church, Maplewood. She spoke of the need for peace and understanding, and of shared traditions, regardless of each one’s background. She also prayed for a world without defense forces.

Commander B. John Kaufman, Maplewood VFW 10120 expressed gratitude for those who died serving the nation. He focused on those who went to war and were on the landing boats that dropped them at the shoreline, mentioning they got off those ships to an uncertain future, and many had died nearby or even before they left the boats.

Mayor Nancy J. Adams, delivered her remarks speaking of those we send into battle to defend our nation. “We need to keep them in our thoughts and express compassion for them and what they are going through.” She asked all to pledge to work towards reconciliation and peace, and find common ground for those with differing views. Adams also reminded all to think of the sacrifices made by our service members and to pray for a more just and peaceful world.

She concluded with “God Bless Maplewood and God bless America”.

Adams then called Rabbi Alexandra Klein of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel to deliver the Benediction. Included in her Benediction, was aa quote from Rabbi Larry Miller, “Out of the many nations in the world, our country is blessed with a singular opportunity to demonstrate how peoples of many faiths and many heritages can live side by side and enrich one another’s lives through friendship, and the sharing of our unique traditions”.

She further spoke of being together to remember and pray that those who died giving service to our country did not die in vain. We should remember them and carry their mission forward. They are never forgotten. Klein spoke more of peace and war, the recognition of our veterans, and working to bring peace to all by working to achieve it.

She was then called upon to lead the singing of God Bless America, followed by the retiring of the colors and Taps being played by one of the young Scouts.

Mayor Adams wished everyone well and reminded all to attend the 25 ^th annual Duck Races in Memorial Park.

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