The Historic Courtroom of the Morris County Courthouse saw a few surprises at Thursday’s Military Appreciation Day ceremony.
One judge sang.
Another, an Army veteran, choked up reciting the Sailor’s Creed.
And another, who served in the Navy, attempted to pull rank on a Marine in the gallery.
These moments punctuated the 10th annual edition of this event, which recognizes veterans who work in the Morris/Sussex Vicinage of Superior Court.
Slideshow photos by Kevin Coughlin; click/hover on images for captions:
Glenn Gavan, who retired from the Navy as a lieutenant in 1990 and now is a municipal judge for several towns, delivered the afternoon’s humor during his keynote talk.
“I’m sick of Marines saying I’m their taxicab,” Gavan quipped. “If it wasn’t for the Navy, the Marines would be sitting in Hoboken, waiting to do something!”
He promptly was corrected by Morris County Commissioner Director John Krickus, a Marine veteran in the audience.
“You’re not the taxicab,” Krickus shot back. “You’re an Uber now.”
The Navy got more respect from an Army veteran. Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz, who was a captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard, took a break from hearing cases in his 1827 courtroom to honor Gavan by reciting the Sailor’s Creed.
It includes pledges to defend democracy and treat everyone fairly. Minkowitz choked up at the start, then regrouped.
Video: The Sailor’s Creed, from Army veteran Stuart Minkowitz, Superior Court Assignment Judge:
That solemn note was followed by melodious notes from Superior Court Judge Michael Paul Wright, who brought the gallery to its feet with a sterling a cappella rendition of God Bless America.
He forewarned listeners that he was struggling with allergies. No jury would buy that proffer:
Video: All rise for The Singing Judge:
Officials from Morris County Veterans Services gave medallions to Gavan, Minkowitz and several fellow veterans from the vicinage. These names were announced:
Judge Salem Ahto
Kevin Dalal
Leila Gonzalez
Andrea Halstead
Kokhita Horton
Sandra Patrick
Daniel Rivera
John Schneibel
Judge Thomas Weisenbeck
Christopher Whitten
Judge Andrew M. Wubbenhorst
John Zapata
