Montville VFW Marks Original Memorial Day

Prayers, speeches and ceremonial gunfire played a part in Montville VFW Post 5481's annual ceremony to honor America's war dead held Thursday.

The post conducts its Memorial Day ceremony May 30 each year as a way to give the holiday the respect it deserves, rather than making it part of a three-day weekend, Post Commander Frank Warholic has said.

The 11 a.m. ceremony at the Post on Changebridge Road included remarks by Mayor Tim Braden, Montville Township High School Principal Douglas Sanford, prayers by Rabbi Mark Finkel of the Pine Brook Jewish Center, as well as an address by Warholic.

Sanford said students have learned to understand the sacrifices made by service members. Some social studies students recently undertook a project that involved researching, documenting and eulogizing fallen soldiers. The students shared their work online and with their classmates, he said.

Warholic noted atrocities committed against U.S. soldiers by enemies during conflicts over the years. He also placed a British flag in honor British soldier Lee Rigby, who was killed by terrorists May 22 on the streets of London near a military barracks.

Warholic said it's important to remember and honor the soldiers who have died defending America. He said the U.S. needs to know who its enemies are and have been, and that the U.S. must win the war on terror. He also questioned why it's not politically correct to talk about terrorists being inspired by religion.

Braden said Warholic's remarks are always educational and convey with passion "who our enemies were and who they are now."

"If you're looking for political correctness, you've come to the wrong place today," the mayor said.

The post's ceremony included the placing of flags, wreaths and flowers. It included veterans of World War II and Lance Cpl. Julian Handler, a Marine from Montville who now lives in Boonton and recently returned from Afghanistan.