Kate Albright/ for Montclair Local
Montclair Township will host a very special Veterans Day tribute on Sunday, Nov. 11 at Edgemont Park. In the event of rain, services will be held in the Municipal Building Council Chambers, 205 Claremont Ave., Montclair.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. sharp with the ringing of the Bells of Peace – a nationwide effort to mark the centennial of the signing of the Armistice at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918, bringing an end to “The War to End All Wars.” Communities across the country will join in the tolling of the Peace Bells 21 times to honor the 116,516 American men and women who perished in World War I. The Township encourages everyone in the community to participate by downloading the Bells of Peace app to join in the sounding of the bells on Veterans Day. For more information, visit worldwar1centennial.org.
This year, the Township has the privilege of honoring WWII veteran Gerard Sorell – U.S. Army Veteran Capt. Michael Turgeon will present PFC Sorell with the Bronze Star, a decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. The honor is being bestowed upon PFC Sorell 73 years after the end of the second World War (biography attached). PFC Sorell, who will be introduced by his daughter, Deborah Stehr, will briefly talk about his experiences in the war.
Mayor Robert Jackson will be master of ceremonies. Ashley Noel and Samuel Goldings, Glenfield Middle School students from House Gill, will present remarks on the occasion.
Montclair resident Cecile Williams will sing the national anthem and members of Boy Scouts Troop 12 will lead the pledge of allegiance.
Katrina Forman, youth minister, Union Congregational will perform the invocation, benediction will bless the wreaths.
Also attending will be representatives from veterans organizations which include the Crawford Crews American Legion Post 251, Lt. Vincent J. Russo American Legion Post 382, Disabled American Veterans, and Daughters of the American Revolution Eagle Rock Chapter.
The Montclair Community Band will perform immediately prior to and after the ceremony and the band’s trumpeter Carl B. Witzig will sound “Taps.”
The Montclair Police and Fire honor guards will open the program with the Advance of Colors and will conclude the ceremony with the Retirement of Colors.