Memorial Day Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | May 29, 2023

Memorial Day 2023

On this beautiful day, in Scotch Plains, Fanwood and all around our great country, Americans gather to honor and remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice; they gave their lives for our country.

More than one million Americans have lost their lives defending the United States of America, and the important principles our country stands for.

And on the last Monday each May, schools and offices are closed as we pause our daily routine to remember and reflect upon the selflessness, courage and unwavering dedication of all those who laid down their lives in defense of our freedoms and values.

Their sacrifice serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the values we hold dear: freedom, justice and equality.

Their courage challenges us to stand up for what is right, to protect the rights of others, to work together toward a more perfect union.

Scotch Plains has gathered to observe Memorial Day for more than 75 years.

We do so because we are grateful.  We are grateful to the original American patriots, some of whom are buried just a few blocks from here.

We are also grateful to all veterans and active-duty members of the armed forces, many of whom are standing to your right and left.

Oshanda, Roc, Ralph, Bob, Charlie are the first names of just a few of our brave neighbors who are true American patriots.  Thank each one of you for your service to our country.

Scotch Plains Township became the first municipality in Union County to achieve “Veteran-Friendly” status because of our efforts supporting the veteran community.

On Saturday, the third annual Ruck took place and participants carried 10 pounds of gear and walked through Scotch Plains and Fanwood replicating the daily marches our armed forces make while on active duty.

Last Sunday, at a barbecue at Jerseyland Community Center for veterans and their families, I listened in awe as veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm shared stories about their service with fellow veterans and their families. 

Some who attended had fathers or mothers who served in the armed forces, but recently passed away.  They had come to the barbecue to feel closer to their loved ones.

While we pay tribute to those who have fallen, let us also remember their families who bear the heavy burden of loss. 

As a community, it is our duty to offer them solace, support, and gratitude, ensuring they know that their loved ones will never be forgotten.

Scotch Plains has established a Veterans Advisory Board and, of course, our Banner Program.  Seeing the faces of our neighbors while they served in the armed forces makes each of us even prouder to live in our great town. 

One of the many programs we are extremely proud of is our Fallen Heroes - Gold Star Families Street Dedication Program, a joint effort between the town’s Memorial Day Committee and American Legion Post 209.

This program has identified twenty (20) Scotch Plains veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed or missing in action in various conflicts. 

To date, we have honored several of these 20 fallen heroes and their families with a street sign topper in their name, affixed to the intersection nearest to their home of record.

Today, I am proud to add to this list of honorees, US Navy Seaman Mauro Bruno! 

Born September 17, 1930, and resided at 2074 Prospect Avenue, Seaman Bruno was tragically killed in action at sea at just twenty years old. 

Unfortunately, Bruno’s family could not be here with us today, but the proclamation and this street sign will be provided to the family at a later date. 

From a grateful nation and community, we thank you Seaman Bruno, and the Bruno family, for your dedicated service and sacrifice to our country.

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Memorial Day is not merely a day of mourning.  It is also a call to action.

It urges us to live our lives with purpose, appreciate the freedoms we enjoy and cherish the values we hold dear.

It is a day that challenges us to be the best versions of ourselves and to contribute to the betterment of our community and our nation.

Let us honor the fallen by dedicating ourselves to the principles they fought for.

May we strive for unity, empathy, and understanding, remembering more than we seem to sometimes that we are all Americans.

And through our collective efforts, may we continue to perfect our great country so that it truly reflects the ideals for which our fallen heroes made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you.