Message from Councilman Roshan (Roc) White | June 28, 2024

Saturday night, at dusk, the skies over the Shady Rest Country Club will light up once again for our annual Independence Day fireworks. Join fellow residents as the free festivities begin at 7 p.m. with kids’ activities and entertainment on our historic golf course, at 820 Jerusalem Rd.  (Rain date: June 30)

While July 4th celebrations are a national tradition, we believe it is a unique responsibility of the Township Council to foster a big, signature, local celebration in Scotch Plains. Beyond the festive atmosphere, as the town joins in this annual ritual at Shady Rest, our celebration goes a long way to further strengthening our community, promoting national pride and marking this shared history.

Residents always enjoy seeing those from different neighborhoods coming to one place to mark this holiday that we all celebrate, no matter our ethnic or cultural backgrounds.  The kids all seem to know each other from school, while parents get to know other parents before it seems that everyone vanishes for summer vacations, daily trips to the beach or stays inside during these hot, humid days in the comfort of AC.

Between all the grilled hot dogs, cold drinks and ice cream, it is important to remember what we are celebrating: the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a unique document that enshrined the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality. We are marking, once again, the core values upon which our country was built.

That includes our democratic freedoms, which I was proud to defend as a U.S. Marine in the Gulf War. And it is those same freedoms that our Armed Forces are now protecting at military stations across the globe, as we celebrate our independence here, in Scotch Plains. It is a fact that we can never, ever take for granted.

As the crackle of fireworks fills the air on June 29 at Shady Rest, let it be a reminder of the strength that comes from joining together as a community, united by the ideals of liberty and justice for all.