Dunellen Hosts a Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony to Honor our Fallen Heroes

Dunellen, NJ: Due to current social distancing requirements in New Jersey, the Borough of Dunellen has announced that it will present a virtual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 25, 2020.

The Memorial Day Ceremony video will be released on Monday, May 25 at 10 AM on the Dunellen Recreation Facebook page and Mayor Jason F. Cilento’s Facebook page. The video will also be uploaded onto the Borough of Dunellen’s website (www.dunellen-nj.gov) and will be released on Piscataway TV on Channel 15 on Optimum at 8am, 10am, 2pm, 5:30pm, & 9pm.

Audience members will hear from Mayor Jason F. Cilento of Dunellen, Mayor Pat Boccio of Green Brook, Commander Keith Jarvis of American Legion Post 119, Arthur Taylor, Past State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a past Commander of VFW Post 5479 in Dunellen, Pastor Roy and Wendella Carryl of Living Hope Outreach Church, Dunellen EMS, and Police Officers.

With performances from John Saleeby, bugler, and Larry Booker, bagpipe player, and appearances from Boy Scout Troop 119, this program is a meaningful and thoughtful recognition to our fallen soldiers and essential personnel.

Mayor Cilento and Recreation Director Alex Miller did not believe that COVID-19 should prevent the Borough from honoring the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.

“Doing nothing was not an option, not after all they have sacrificed,” Mayor Cilento said. “We knew in our heart something had to be done. So, putting our heads together, we decided to bring in members of the American Legion Post 119, the V.F.W Post 5479, Boys Scout Troop 119 and other civic leaders to pre-record a virtual Memorial Day Ceremony.”

Mayor Cilento assigned Dunellen’s Recreation Director Alex Miller to coordinate and schedule the civic leaders in the video. Mr. Miller said, “The last 10 weeks have been trying times for the world, America, New Jersey, and Dunellen. During trying times, you see the best and worst in people. The best in people in Dunellen have far out-weighed the worst, and coming together to honor our men and women for Memorial Day in this way shows how important our soldiers are to the Dunellen community.”

In years past, the Dunellen Memorial Day typically begins at the Dunellen American Legion Post 119 and concludes at Washington Memorial Park. Each year, in a somber ceremony, veterans, government officials, civic leaders, faith leaders, Boys and Girls Scouts and residents gather around the monuments in the park that vividly represent our fallen soldiers.

This year, Ocular Media, a local videography, photography, and production company, collaborated with the Borough to bring a sincere tribute to virtual audiences.

“It was an absolute honor to work on the Memorial Day Virtual Ceremony Project,” said Rachel Appleton, Ocular Media team member. “As a prior town resident, I’ve attended several Dunellen Memorial Day Parades. It’s something special what Dunellen puts together, and Ocular Media had a wonderful time working with respected veterans and essential workers to put this together. The veterans and American families deserve a ceremony—even if it’s online.”

On Memorial Day, the Borough of Dunellen will also recognize a National Moment of Remembrance as Dunellen Churches at 3 pm will toll their bells in honor of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.  Please take a moment in the day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.