Honoring our Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel

A member of the Air National guard addresses school children, veterans and active duty military personnel at Green Hills School’s Salute to Veterans ceremony on November 9th.

Rep. Garrett thanks veterans and active duty military personnel at Veteran’s Park in Oakland during the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on November 11th.

Last week, I had the honor of recognizing the courageous men and women of the United States Armed Forces by attending various Veterans Day ceremonies to pay tribute to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who routinely perform acts of uncommon bravery in defense of our country.  All across Northern New Jersey, numerous towns held ceremonies to honor local veterans and recognize those still serving in defense of our great nation.  

Some, like Green Township, held a ceremony full of songs and poems about patriotism delivered by local school children. Others, like Oakland, held a solemn ceremony with few words, but lots of prayer and remembrance.  

On Veterans Day, I was honored to join the residents of Oakland to pray for the men and women who continue to fight for our freedom on foreign shores, and thank veterans who served honorably and have now returned home to communities across America.  As the bells tolled promptly at 11:00 am, I looked out over the audience of veterans and active duty military personnel and found myself incredibly inspired by their selfless commitment in defense of our great nation.

As I said during my remarks to the crowd gathered in Oakland: Veterans are our friends and relatives; they are our neighbors, our coworkers, our firefighters and police; they are our kids’ coaches and teachers; they are people we know, and they are people we may never meet.  We are a grateful nation for all they have done and all they continue to do.

May God bless our veterans who have fought to protect our freedom and those who continue to fight.  May God Bless the United States of America.