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Honoring our Bernards Township Armed Service Veterans this Veterans Day

Just a reminder on who we honor and when - Mr Local History Project
A reminder of whom we honor and when. Please take a moment to remember those who have served to preserve our freedoms and the way of life we cherish.

Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Bernards Township and Bernardsville honor our military veterans with a banner salute around the Bernards Township Municipal building and in the downtown Bernardsville area. The banners usually stay up between the two holidays and grace our townships with honor, sacrifice, and a true sense of what these people mean to our community and our country.

Veteran Jim DeCoste at the Bernards Township Memorial Day ceremonies in Liberty Corner, New Jersey.

June 23, 1943 – Township Honor Rolls Erected

Honor Rolls Bearing Names of Service Men and Women Erected in Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner.

Culminating three months’ effort on the part of the Bernards Township Honor Roll Committee, honor rolls were erected on Friday, June 18, on the greens in the centers of Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner. The honor rolls were designed and erected by Trowbridge Outdoor Advertising Corporation of Newark, represented locally by Wilbur R. Trowbridge of Basking Ridge. Mr. Trowbridge gave a great deal of his time to the undertaking, and the success of the project is, to a large extent, due to his efforts. The Basking Ridge honor roll contains the names of 117 men and women in service from the Township’s first and third election districts, while the Liberty Corner honor roll contains the names of 79 men and women in service from the second election district.

Gold stars appear opposite the names of Austin P. Spencer of Basking Ridge, Andrew F. Grabarczyk, and Charles P. Potts of Liberty Corner, who gave their lives for their country. Erection of the honor rolls was sponsored by the Somerset Hills Military Service Committee, which organization sent a delegation to the Township Committee last March to urge the undertaking of the project. A joint committee consisting of Mrs. Clarence M. Stansbury, Ray S. Taylor, Walter J. Henry, and Robert Acken, representing the Somerset Hills Military Service Committee, John E. Moore, and Township Committee members Charles E. Ansted, Albert R. Mayo, and Warren M. Craft, Jr., carried the project to its conclusion.

Mrs. Clarence M. Stansbury compiled the names of men and women in service appearing on the honor rolls. Every effort was made to have the lists complete and correct. However, as many factors contribute to the compilation, it is acknowledged that additions and corrections may be necessary. Mrs. Stansbury, who has consented to keep the list up to date, should be advised of any changes. After due consideration, the Committee decided that, in view of the present gas shortage and distances involved in travelling throughout the Township, dedication of the honor rolls would not be in order at the present time.

Learn how you can get involved – Click Here
Mr Local History Honors our fallen heros and our veterans
Mr Local History Honors our fallen heroes and our veterans
Memorial Day 2020 – Bernards Township
Honoring the Veterans who are served at New Jersey’s Historic Lyons VA in Bernards Township

Historic Photos – Bernards Township

Over the years, many residents have sent in photos of their family members who’ve served our country. Please continue to send us your photos honoring those who have served in our military forces. Do you have a photo you’d like to share?
Please CLICK HERE to send us a photo with a description, and we’ll add it to our growing service gallery.

Bernards Veterans Appreciation Task Force

I want to thank our Veterans Appreciation Task Force headed by Jennifer Donohoe for having our Hero’s Banners completed and hung today around Town Hall.  I also want to thank VFW Post Commander Fred Bueler, Betsy Bacot and Mona Shaw for all their help and dedication to honoring our veteran heroes just in time for Memorial Day weekend.  I encourage all of our residents to take a slow ride around Town Hall and honor the service and sacrifice our veterans make so that we can all remain free.  I am very proud of the work accomplished by the Task force, along with the collaboration of our amazing Township staff to make this a reality.  Special thanks to our DPW for their help in hanging the banners as well.  

Former Mayor James Baldassare & US Marine (Ret.)

Honor The Lyons (Bernards Township) Veterans Administration Campus Historic District Keepsake

Honor the US Lyons Veterans Hospital and campus on the state and national historic registries in the Lyons section of Bernards Township, New Jersey. A great treasure – Click Here

Local Banners for Veterans

 Bernards Township Program—A suggested donation of $75 helps offset the cost of banner production. Any resident who’d like to participate can contact the Bernards Township Veterans Task Force.

There are TWO Galleries to view.
Simply click an image to enlarge and watch the slideshow.

Resident Jennifer Donohoe is also on the task force along with other representatives, including up to two residents, Township Administrator Pat Monaco, the Bernards Township DPW superintendent, or designee.

Bernardsville also honors its veterans and fallen soldiers via a banner program. The Mr. Local History Project just captured their efforts as well.

Read about the Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the BRPC cemetery.

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