A decorated Vietnam veteran who formerly led the Military Order of the Purple Heart will deliver Tuesday’s keynote address at Veterans Day ceremonies in Morristown and Morris Township.
Neil Van Ess, of Totowa, served in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division from 1968 to 1970. Wounded in combat in Vietnam, he received the Purple Heart Medal — one of nearly 1.9 million awarded since the decoration’s creation by George Washington in 1782.
Van Ess went on to a 30-year law-enforcement career with the Totowa Police Department, rising to captain and earning statewide recognition for his work in drug prevention and community service.
In 2017, he was elected national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He also has served as acting chair of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and on the advisory board of the New Jersey Veterans Home in Paramus.
TOWNSHIP SERVICE AT 10 A.M.
The Memorial and Veterans Day Association of Morristown and Morris Township, led by LTC (USA-Ret.) Stanley A. Kasiski, will begin observances early Tuesday morning, Nov. 11, 2025, with wreath-laying tributes at local war monuments starting at 7:45 a.m.
The first major ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Morris Township Municipal Building, 50 Woodland Ave. Ceremonial Officer James Cavanaugh will preside, with a Hometown Heroes presentation and the placing of wreaths by Tony Romano. Music will be provided by Larry Schillings of Bugles Across America.
MORRISTOWN GREEN CEREMONY AT 11 A.M.
At 11 a.m., the focus shifts to the Green in Morristown, where Deacon Ken Rado will give the invocation and benediction. Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty and Morris Township Mayor Donna Guariglia will offer remarks and introductions, followed by Van Ess’ keynote address.
The ceremony also will feature a firing-squad salute by Bill Allen and James Auriemma, and Taps performed by Garrett Gregor.
EARLY-MORNING TRIBUTES
Beginning at 7:45 a.m., wreaths will be placed at the following sites:
-
J. Robert Tracey Veterans Memorial Park, South Street and Madison Avenue.
-
Brian J. McNally Field, 19 Weathervane Drive.
-
Civil War Monument, South Park Place on the Green
-
Bobby Moore Plaque, Budd Street.
-
Holy Rood Cemetery
-
WWI Cenotaph Monument, South Street at the Vail Mansion
-
National Guard Armory Plaque, Western Avenue.
-
Petrone Monument, 39 Early St.
The ceremonies honor the memories of longtime ceremonial officers J. Robert Tracey and Arthur Grant.
IN CASE OF RAIN
If the weather is bad, all Veterans Day ceremonies will move indoors to the Morris Township Municipal Building at 11 a.m. Refreshments will follow at the Mt. Kemble Fire Station, 216 Mt. Kemble Ave., Morristown.
GREATER MORRISTOWN VETERANS DAY 2025 PROGRAM
MORRIS COUNTY COMMEMORATION VETERANS DAY 2025
LATER THIS WEEK: GROUNDBREAKING FOR VETERANS VALOR HEALING GARDEN
The week of remembrance continues Thursday with the groundbreaking for “The Gateway to the Gardens,” the first phase of the Veterans Valor Healing Garden at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Township.
The ceremony, at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, marks the start of a multi-year project by Veterans Valor, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans, in partnership with the Morris County Park Commission (MCPC). The initiative will transform a section of the Arboretum into seven themed gardens designed as spaces for remembrance, renewal, and recovery.
“The Frelinghuysen Arboretum is a place for the community to gather, learn, and heal, and the Veterans Valor Healing Garden will greatly enrich that mission,” said Dave Helmer, executive director of the Park Commission.
“Hearing the stories of any veteran — particularly those who have experienced PTSD — affirms the need and dignity of this cause,” said Will Draper, executive director of Veterans Valor and president-elect of the Morristown Rotary Club.
Landscape architect Charlie Iuliano, whose original design inspired the project, called the Gateway “both symbolic and literal — the opening to a living landscape dedicated to veterans and their families, built through service, gratitude, and shared healing.”
The effort also launches Disarm PTSD, a national awareness campaign led by Veterans Valor to transform how the nation understands and supports those living with the invisible wounds of war.
Backed by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Morris County, Rotary District 7475, Atlantic Health Veterans and Allies Group, County College of Morris, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and other civic and educational partners, the project aims to unite the community around a shared message of respect and hope.
“The Morristown Rotary Club is honored to stand alongside Veterans Valor and the MCPC in bringing this meaningful project to life,” said Major Aaron Oliver, chaplain of the U.S. Army New Jersey National Guard and president of the Morristown Rotary Club. “These gardens will be a lasting and profound testament to our embrace of all who have served.”
This report is compiled from information provided by The Memorial and Veterans Day Association of Morristown and Morris Township and Veterans Valor.
Morristown has a long history of people stepping forward in pivotal moments.
When you chip in to Morristown Green, you’re helping your neighbors stay informed, strengthening our civic backbone, and carrying on the spirit that’s defined this town since its earliest days.
Rally for local news.
What a great idea, Sharon. So important that our youth is aware and offered the opportunity to witness ceremonies like these!
@Sharon the high school Heritage Club hosts an on-site veterans days event for students
Thank you for posting the story and the event times and locations.
It would be very respectful of our Morristown high school history/civics students to attend these ceremonies. Witnessing the veterans teaches the reality of this honored day. They could walk over to the Green, an easy arrangement.
An invaluable experience for all.