Thank you from the Sussex Elks

I was honored to be the organizer of a Wreath Laying Ceremony on Sunday, June 2, recognizing the service of our veterans. This event was held at High Point Monument, the New Jersey Veterans Memorial, in High Point State Park. We hosted in excess of 100 Veterans. I would like to sincerely thank all the members of our community that attended this event. A special thanks to the High Point Regional High School Chamber Singers for singing the National Anthem. Antonio Del Valle for Taps on the trumpet. The Branchville American Legion Post 157 Honor Guard, Sussex American Legion Post 213, Boonton Elks Lodge 1405 Color Guard. Distinguished guests, Senator Steve Oroho, Assemblywoman Alison Litttell McHose, Assemblyman Parker Space, County Clerk Jeff Parrott and a host of several more elected local and county officials. Kuperus Garden Center for the donation of the wreath, the Wantage First Aid Squad. Rebecca Fitzgerald and her entire staff at High Point State Park. Also, my fellow members of Sussex Elks Lodge 2288 who helped make this event possible.

It shows a great interest in our community that all these people wold take time from their busy schedules to come to honor the service of our veterans. After the High Point ceremony, the veterans were invited to our lodge for a dinner complements of the lodge. Many veterans came to me expressing their gratitude. One gentlemen who came to me expressed how important this was to him. He shook my hand and said "Thanks, this was great. Sometimes we think that people forget what we did." Those words were very powerful to me. As Americans we always need to remember the sacrifices made for our freedoms we often take for granted.

Once again, it was a great honor to recognize the men and women of our armed services who gave so much of themselves in service to our country.

Richard Green
Former Lodge Chaplain

Sussex Lodge 2288