The Township of Nutley celebrated the Memorial Day holiday with a series of remembrances followed by the 105th iteration of the Township’s annual Memorial Day Parade yesterday in Nutley. 

The Nutley War Memorial Remembrance festivities began the day at VFW Post 493, followed by:

• Services at the Methodist Cemetery (Park Avenue) 
• Services at Franklin Reformed Church
• American Legion Services at the WWI Boulder
• Services at the All Wars Memorial (Memorial Park)
• Catholic War Services at the Korean Conflict Boulder (Memorial Park)
• Veterans Council Services at Vietnam Memorial (Memorial Park)
• D A R Services at Civil War Memorial (Memorial Park)
• Peace Time Memorial Dedication (Vincent Place)
• Amvets Services at WWII Memorial (Vincent Place)
• Ceremony at the Wall of Honor (Nutley High School)
• Daughters of the American Revolution Services at Civil War Boulder (Nutley High School)

Mayor John V. Kelly, III, joined by Commissioners Alphonse Petracco, Dr. Joseph Scarpelli, Mauro Tucci and Tom Evans, delivered the opening statements at the Community Memorial ceremony held at the Oval.

“It is truly a beautiful day today, and I don't say that strategically,” Mayor Kelly said. “I say that because I noticed a lot of towns and surrounding communities have canceled their festivities in light of the weather. However, in Nutley, this is a day of gratitude, and it doesn't matter, rain or shine, we're going to give thanks for all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. 

“We shouldn't mourn the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We should give thanks that they lived,” the Mayor said, quoting General George Patton. He noted that 141 people from Nutley “from the Revolution to present day” gave up their lives for the community's “freedom, peace, and prosperity.”

“We give thanks that so many of them lived right here in Nutley,” Mayor Kelly stated. “This morning, we went to all our monuments and read the names of every single person who paid the ultimate sacrifice from Nutley. From the Revolution to present day, there are 141 that gave up their lives. They gave up their rainy days. They gave up their sunny days. They gave up their every day for us, so that we can live here in freedom, peace, and prosperity.

“So we're going to continue to honor them no matter what, rain or shine. I want to thank each and every one of you for being here today to celebrate them with us.”

Guests attending the ceremonies included Senator Britnee Timberlake, Assemblywoman Carmen Morales and Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway.  

The Community Memorial ceremony was immediately followed by the 105th Memorial Day Parade, led by Grand Marshal John Hoadley Jr., Veteran Of The Year Henry Del Toasto, and Nutley’s first Patriot Of The Year Annette Arocho-Bautista.