Essex County Honors Soldiers Killed in War

The County of Essex held a wreath-laying ceremony Friday at Veterans Memorial Park in Newark in honor of Memorial Day. Seen here, from left, are Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Belleville resident Joseph Fornoratto of the Nutley/Belleville Disabled American Veterans, Essex County Surrogate Theodore Stephens, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Freeholder President Blonnie Watson, Newark resident Clarence Jackson from the Newark Disabled American Veterans, Freeholder Brendan Gill and Essex County Health Officer Michael Festa.

Opened in September 2009, the 2.7-acre park and the Essex County Armed Forces Memorial are dedicated to the men and women who served as members in the U.S. military.