Fanwood paused again this Memorial Day weekend to once again pay respects to the men and women who served, and those who gave their lives, in the U.S. armed forces throughout the nation’s history.
Sunday night’s fourth annual concert, “A Tribute to Fallen Heroes,” featured patriotic music of the World War II era performed by the Westfield Community Band at Fanwood’s North Side Train Station lawn. In addition to the music, local veterans read poignant letters written home by soldiers who later died in combat.
This year’s theme for Memorial Day activities is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The concert and other activities recognize the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of the residents of Scotch Plains and Fanwood who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II.
Fanwood’s Earl Phillips, a World War II Navy veteran and retired Fanwood police officer, was the grand marshal of the parade, greeting well-wishers along the parade route from his convertible ride.
The annual memorial service for the fallen took place at the Fanwood Memorial Library Monday morning. A poignant moment came when Holocaust survivor Marsha Kreuzman thanked Wayne Hanlon, the son of the late Kenneth Hanlon of Fanwood, for his father’s service in World War II. The elder Hanlon was part of an Army unit that liberated Kreuzman and others from a concentration camp at the end of the war.
Then, after a service in Scotch Plains, the parade stepped off from the Scotch Plains Municipal Building, making its way down Martine Avenue to Fanwood’s LaGrande Park.
Click here to see photo galleries from this year’s Memorial Day events.
