Vets deserve more than words, Dunn tells Veterans Day ceremony in Morristown

Larry Schillings plays Taps, Veterans Day 2022. Photo by Bill Lescohier
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By Kyle Polillo

You hear “thank you for your service” a lot around Veterans Day.

But that’s never enough, according to state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25th Dist.), daughter of a Marine who was wounded during the Vietnam War.

State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25th Dist.) delivers keynote, Veterans Day 2022. Photo by Bill Lescohier

“Today, one in four veterans, especially Black, disabled and woman veterans, struggle to pay for basic necessities like child care and housing. So there is plenty more to do,” Dunn told a small audience Friday on the Morristown Green, as rain began to pour.

Dunn’s father, Neil Kenney, was awarded the Purple Heart after fighting at Khe Sanh, one of the bloodiest battles in Vietnam.

Aura Dunn keynote, Veterans Day 2022. Video by Bill Lescohier for MorristownGreen.com:

“It’s really important that every generation, we continue to honor our veterans, be aware of the sacrifices they made, and we play our part in paying them back, making sure they live their lives of dignity,” said Dunn, the keynote speaker.

She told listeners she doesn’t want veterans ever to be treated like they were upon their return from Vietnam.

A firing squad volley honors America’s heroes, Veterans Day 2022. Photo by Bill Lescohier

Her comments capped a morning that began with services at local war monuments and cemeteries, followed by a well attended ceremony at the Morris Township municipal building that included residents, first responders and officials from the Township and Morristown.

Two wreaths were placed at the Patric Hyland Memorial outside the municipal building.   Larry Schillings from Bugles Across America played Taps, and there was a rifle salute by American Legion Post 59 veterans.

Attendees at the various events included the police and fire chiefs of Morristown and Morris Township; trustees of the Morristown Green; Morris Township Deputy Mayor Cathy Wilson, former Township Mayors Kathleen Ginty Hyland and John Murphy, and Administrator Tim Quinn; Morristown Councilwoman Sandi Mayer, and Morris Democratic Chair Amalia Duarte.

A small gathering in the rain, Veterans Day 2022. Photo by Bill Lescohier

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, who attended with his wife Mary, said it’s imperative that local officials have a dialogue with their county, state and federal counterparts to make sure veterans’ needs are met.

Morris Township Deputy Mayor Cathy Wilson and American Legion Chaplain James Cavanaugh, Veterans Day 2022. Photo by Bill Lescohier

That includes providing housing and mental health services, and making sure veterans hospitals are staffed properly.

“We have a voice as elected officials to make sure that our veterans are taken care of,” Dougherty said.

Mayor Tim Dougherty, Veterans Day 2022. Video by Bill Lescohier for MorristownGreen.com:

Jim Cavanaugh, an American Legion chaplain and a veteran himself, called for Americans to put aside their political differences.

“Today on Veterans Day, it is the Red, White and Blue day,” Cavanaugh said. “There are no Republicans, Independents and so forth. We’re all in it together, and I ask each one of us to try and help create patriotism, particularly among the youth of our nation.”

The Star Spangled Banner, Veterans Day 2022 in Morris Township. Photo by Kyle Polillo

Dunn, who received a plaque from Tony Romano, chairman of the Memorial & Veterans Day Association of Morristown and Morris Township, shared a similar vision.

“To all that have served, your efforts, sacrifices and time spent away from family and friends are not in vain,” said Dunn. “As long as there are men and women that freely raise their right hand and put on their nation’s uniform, I have a deep belief that yes, we will endure.”

Morris Township Deputy Mayor Cathy Wilson, Veterans Day 2022. Video by Bill Lescohier for MorristownGreen.com:

 

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