Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 27
Somerset County, N.J.
The Only Congressionally Chartered Veterans Organization Exclusively for Combat Wounded Veterans
Monument Campaign
Photos
Speech at Veterans Plaza
Good Afternoon. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders (especially Rick Fontana who was our initial contact for this project) for their extraordinary efforts to bring about this Veterans Plaza.
I also want to thank the Somerset County Department of Veterans Affairs (John Havey and Pete Niemick) for their tireless efforts on behalf of veterans in the County. This is truly a magnificent park and extraordinary efforts went into this from the County Office of Public Works and I want to especially mention Michael Amorosa, Tom Bernard and Richard Close.
I was part of a crew of a few Purple Heart members (lead at the time by the then Commander of Chapter 27 MOPH, Ken Meaney) that showed up at a Board of Freeholders meeting several years ago to ask for the dedication of a small plot of land where we could put up a monument to Somerset County residents that received the Purple Heart.
We were seeking a fitting site dedicated to those who shed blood in service to their country. What we didn't realize at the time was that we triggered the implementation of a plan that had been dormant for several years (initially proposed by Pat Fittipaldi and other Freeholders at the time) to build a park next to the administration building.
Rick and other Freeholders, along with Richard Close as the primary designer, came up with the idea to incorporate the Veterans theme into the park plan. And what a magnificent park it is!
More than just dedicating a park to veterans, The Board of Freeholders is dedicating a park that is a tribute to the best of American values. America is a value-based nation and the notion of devotion to Duty, Honor, Service to the Country, Patriotism, Courage and Team Work have been instilled in each of us at a very early age.
The spirit of don't tread on my flag is ever present. These are qualities that are the hallmarks of veterans and they make this country great. I think it's altogether fitting that this space is dedicated to these values and those people who have lived them.
I want to especially thank Ken Meaney, Past Commander of Chapter 27 of the MOPH and the immediate Past Commander Ted Dima for their efforts to bring this day about.
In the words of Pete Niemick of the Dept of Veterans Affairs, Somerset County is a great place for veterans. And I can also say that the many veterans that have served their country from Somerset County make Somerset County a great place to live. Thank you.
Certificate from the Board of Chosen Freeholders
History of Plaza by Jay Bubb
April 10, 2006
Dear Patriot:
On September 15, 2004 Chapter 27 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart wrote a letter to the membership concerning the construction of a Purple Heart Monument in Somerville to honor the many Purple Heart recipients in Somerset County. The project was undertaken with the cooperation of officials of Somerset County government with the monument to be constructed in a park to commemorate all veterans of Somerset County. We undertook a Fund Raising Campaign to help finance the project by selling engraved bricks to be inscribed with personal messages chosen by the individuals purchasing the bricks.
Our original intent was to have a Purple Heart Monument placed on a small plot of land in Somerville and the Chapter would have covered the cost of the monument and its installation. What we got instead was a beautifully designed Veterans Plaza and the County has ordered and paid for the monument. Unfortunately the engraved bricks (pavers) will not be installed at the Veterans Plaza. The bricks did not fit into the overall design plan which is incorporating many different styles and colors of tiles in a mosaic design which is very intricate and coordinated throughout the plaza. In lieu of bricks at the plaza, the Freeholders will recognize Chapter 27 for their efforts in getting the project started with individual citations .
Chapter 27 now has a plan to erect a Purple Heart Monument at the VA Hospital on the Lyons campus, with the Chapter underwriting the full cost of purchase and installation. We have received approval from the Director of the hospital and he has approved the idea of putting pavers in next to the monument. The site chosen will have a great deal of visibility as it is outside the entrance to the new Out Patient facility in Building 3 on the Lyons campus.
You will be given the option to have the brick installed at the new location at no additional cost to you. You don't have to do anything. If we don't hear from you we will assume that you are in agreement. However, if this is not satisfactory to you, we will refund the cost of the brick at your request. Simply write to me at the address above, E mail me at jay.bubb@gmail.com or you may contact the following with your request:
Jay Bubb: 908-953-0446
Ted Dima: 908-359-7942
Ken Meaney: 908-753-8808
Frank Simko: 732-469-5281
Sincerely,
Jay Bubb
Treasurer, C-1/12, 1rst Cav