MG Kids report: WWII vet Bob Tracey and Declaration of Independence make for memorable Fourth in Morristown

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By Alyse Jefferson, MG Kids correspondent

Morristown marked July 4th with two very special events: The renaming of Veterans Park to J. Robert Tracey Veterans Park to honor a living hero, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence outside the historic Ford Mansion.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty compared Bob Tracey, 87, to basketball legend Michael Jordan for his many years of greatness.

Tracey enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II and in the Army for the Korean War. Although he was only 17 when he first enlisted, Tracey said he “was not that scared.”

Photos by Ingrum Jefferson. Please click icon below for captions.

He served on the USS Tucson in World War II; his most memorable experience of that war was when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, which helped bring the end of the war.

“I’m sorry so many people were killed but at least it saved a lot of American boys and girls,” Tracey said of Hiroshima.

Tracey, the retired postmaster of Morristown, wants children to know that veterans were dedicated to defend the United States of America — although they didn’t know if they would make it back to their families.

He thanked the many dignitaries who came out in the sweltering heat Wednesday for the re-dedication of the park, at the intersection of South Street and Madison Avenue. Officials from Morristown, Morris Township, Morris Plains and Morris County were joined by state Sen. Anthony Bucco and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (both R-25th Dist.) and many of Tracey’s relatives and friends.

Photos by Bill Lescohier. Please click icon below for captions.

Tracey, who is battling throat cancer, got emotional when he remembered his late father, a World War I veteran, and when he thanked his wife of 60 years, Mary, who got a big hand from the crowd and a bouquet of flowers. He also fondly recalled his days as an undefeated welterweight boxer in the Navy, and introduced one of his former shipmates, Dan Perlsweig, as another good boxer.

“But I was better,” Tracey said, getting a good laugh.

Tracey said he was “ecstatic” to have the park named after him.

“I am going to come down here and have a hot dog from the Green and sit with my wife,” Tracey said. What he enjoys about the Fourth of July is a “feeling of independence, that we are independent. We can share with one another and love one another.”

Bob Tracey, veteran of two wars, speaks with MG Kids Correspondent Alyse Jefferson at dedication of J. Robert Tracey Veterans Memorial Park in Morristown, July 4, 2012. Photo by Ingrum Jefferson
Bob Tracey, veteran of two wars, speaks with MG Kids Correspondent Alyse Jefferson at dedication of J. Robert Tracey Veterans Memorial Park in Morristown, July 4, 2012. Photo by Ingrum Jefferson

Mayor Dougherty informed everyone that future plans for the park include a walkway, gazebo and an area for people to sit and enjoy the monument.

“Independence Day is probably one of the most celebrated holidays in our nation,” one of the most important ones, honoring what “makes the country great,”  the Mayor said.

Morris Township Mayor Peter Mancuso said several people have spent the last few years looking for a way to honor Bob Tracey for his volunteer work on behalf of veterans.

“He spent years and years and years comforting the veterans over at Lyons [veterans hospital] and he has been an inspirational speaker about everything that has happened in Morristown and Morris Township,” said Mayor Mancuso. The Mayor said the Fourth of July reminds him that he “is a citizen of the greatest country and best town and township in the history of the world.”

Photos by Kevin Coughlin. Please click icon below for captions.

Over at Washington’s Headquarters, Tom Winslow of the National Park Service read the Declaration of Independence, to hearty “huzzahs!” from the audience on the lawn.

This was the 21st year that Winslow has delivered the address.  He said he enjoys it when listeners respond to the Declaration.

REDCOATS, BEWARE!  Re-enactors celebrate American independence at Washington's Headquarters, July 4, 2012. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
REDCOATS, BEWARE! Re-enactors celebrate American independence at Washington's Headquarters, July 4, 2012. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“It is a great opportunity to celebrate it — sort of like they would have 200 years ago; in a way I am working, but I like it.”

Justin Monetti, chief of interpretation and education for the Park Service, said the crowd was larger than last year, and he was glad to see so many people. He sees the Fourth of July as “a time for celebration to be an American, and a time for family and coming back together. ”

At the end of the reading, muskets were fired to celebrate the document that made independence for America official!

Alyse Jefferson is a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, and is class president at her school in Lafayette.

Stay tuned for more coverage from the July 4th festivities.

MORE ABOUT BOB TRACEY

 

 

 

1 COMMENT

  1. what a wonderful day…..Bob Tracy is a special man to the world and to Morristown, My father was in ww ll , he was in Pattons Army and the Omaha Beach Landings, these men and women were the Greatest Genaration……our hats off to these men and women who fought for us and like Mr.Tracy still find time to go to the V.A. Hospital and do what ever they can do…Bless you all, we are blessed to have you around…. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE……….Chef Melody

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