Montgomery Memorial Day Ceremony Moves Indoors, But Message of Remembrance Remains

Nicholas Mistretta

Montgomery Township’s Memorial Day observance was moved indoors due to inclement weather, but the change in location did not alter the solemn purpose of the annual ceremony: honoring the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

The ceremony, originally scheduled to take place at Montgomery Veterans Memorial Park, was relocated to the Otto Kaufman Community Center because of the weather. The event was hosted by the Montgomery Veterans Memorial Committee and led by committee chair Dimitra Bairaktaris, a former U.S. Army veteran and vice chair Dale Weingart of Belle Mead.

In her opening remarks, Bairaktaris welcomed those in attendance and explained the significance of one of the township’s traditional Memorial Day observances: the lowering of the American flag, New Jersey flag and Montgomery Township flag to half-staff.

“On Memorial Day, lowering the flag to half-staff is a profound tribute to the men and women who died in military service,” Bairaktaris said. “It bridges collective grief with a symbol of resilience.”

Under customary practice, Montgomery Scouts help carry out the command to lower the flags to half-staff, where they remain until noon before being raised again to full staff. Those in uniform render a military salute, veterans not in uniform may also salute, and other attendees stand at attention with their hands over their hearts.

Because the ceremony was moved indoors, the township did not conduct the outdoor flag-lowering tradition at the Veterans Memorial this year. Instead, Bairaktaris invited attendees to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The ceremony also included an invocation and benediction delivered by Reverend Peter Baktis, a veteran and rector of Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow in Princeton.

Mayor Neena Singh, speaking on behalf of the Montgomery Township Committee and township staff, thanked Bairaktaris and the Veterans Memorial Committee for their work in helping the community honor what she described as Montgomery’s hometown heroes.

Singh noted that Montgomery holds the distinction of being designated a Purple Heart Community, a recognition of the sacrifices made by residents who served in the military.

“We gather today to pause, reflect, and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” Singh said.

In her remarks, Singh connected the day’s observance to her own family history. She said her father-in-law served in the Indian Armed Forces during World War II alongside 2.5 million fellow Indian soldiers. Through his service, and the service of American military members, Singh said she is able to stand before the community as a naturalized citizen and serve as mayor.

“Montgomery is a beacon of liberty, where the sacrifices made by our military service members in the fight for freedom are illustrated,” Singh said.

She said the freedoms residents enjoy every day — including education, business ownership, scientific discovery, the arts, family activities and community life — are possible because of those who served and sacrificed. Military members and their families, she said, continue making sacrifices so fellow Americans can live safely and freely at home.

Singh also referenced President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, saying Americans must ensure that fallen service members did not die in vain by dedicating themselves to the cause for which they gave their lives.

This year’s Memorial Day observance also came as Montgomery prepares to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. Singh said the township collaborated with the Veterans Memorial Committee and Rev250 Committee to create the USA 250 Eco-Garden at Montgomery Veterans Park. The garden features red, white and blue perennial flowers selected to represent American virtues and honor the freedoms service members fought to protect.

Singh also invited residents to take part in the township’s upcoming America250 events, including the annual Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks scheduled for Thursday, June 25. This year’s celebration will include a special 250th procession with Revolutionary War re-enactors.

The Memorial Day ceremony concluded with a benediction from Baktis, a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps” by Anhad Bedi of the Montgomery High School Band. Attendees were asked to remain silent and face the flags during the performance, observing the same courtesy that would have been shown during the lowering of the flags outdoors.

Although weather forced the township away from its traditional outdoor setting at Veterans Memorial Park, the ceremony preserved the central elements of the observance: remembrance, gratitude and public respect for those who did not return home from military service.

“Let us never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy today, for they were purchased at the ultimate cost,” Singh said. “Our hometown heroes will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we owe them a debt that can never truly be repaid.”

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com