Photos by Todd Mozes West Point Cadets Color Guard leads the annual Armed Forces Day parade!

Armed Forces Day

“A Tradition of Heroes”

By Myra Hess

Editor

      Picatinny held its annual Armed Forces Day celebration May 13 to honor our sons and daughters who have defended and are currently defending our nation’s freedom.

      In years past, the Arsenal opened its doors to the public to share and highlight the research, development and engineering done here and the high-tech tools and equipment provided to our soldiers.  Since September 11, however, security concerns have caused the Arsenal to keep it an in-house affair.

      Kicking off the day was the annual MWR-sponsored 5K Walk/Run.  Walkers and runners gathered in front of Bldg. 1 to join in this annual event.

ARDEC Commander Col. John A. Merkwan pumps up the crowed as they begin the annual MWR 5K Walk/Run kicking off Picatinny’s annual Armed Forces Day festivities.

      After the Walk/Run, Master of Ceremonies Richard Havrisko welcomed everyone to the day’s events and introduced the dignitaries who were in attendance.

       Joining in the commemoration were the Honorable Javier Marin, Mayor of Dover; Liz Coventry and Rudy Solar, staff members from Congressman Scott Garrett’s Office; Jefferson Township Police Chief John Palko and Pamela Garv; Brig. Gen. William Monk II, commander of the 1^st Brigade, 78^th Division (Training Support);  Kathy Izzo, wife of Brig. Gen. Paul S. Izzo, PEO for ammunition and designated commanding general of Picatinny Arsenal; NDIA President Ralph Campoli and his wife, Nancy; AUSA, Picatinny Chapter President Louise Bonnett and host ARDEC Commander Col. John A. Merkwan and his wife, Kathy.

      “The annual observance of Armed Forces Day is a Picatinny tradition,” Havrisko said. “This week, the third week of May, our nation pays special tribute to the brave men and women who serve our great nation as members of the United States Armed Forces.”

Mt. Olive High School Marching Band plays patriotic music as they passed the reviewing stand occupied by ARDEC officials and local dignitaries.

Savaria Scalia, a local opera singer, then led all the participants in singing the National Anthem followed by Chaplain Rick Moore’s Invocation.

Savaria Scalia sings, “The National Anthem,” prior to the start of the parade.

      Merkwan also welcomed everyone to the day’s festivities.

      “I’m delighted that so many of you have joined us this morning as we honor the brave men and women in uniform – particularly those who are serving in harm’s way at this very moment in distant lands – by observing Armed Forces Day,” he said.  “Their faithful service and personal sacrifice ensure our freedom and that of so many other nations around the world.

      Following Merkwan’s remarks, Forrest “Frosty” Lawson, a member of the 3^rd New Jersey Volunteers Re-enactment Group, sang his original, touching, composition, “America – The Light of the World.”

Forrest “Frosty” Lawson sings his original song, “America – The Light of the World.”

 And, then, the parade began showcasing the Picatinny Police and Fire Department, tanks and other vehicles spanning the decades, West Point’s color guard and Army mules, local community fire departments, Civil and Revolutionary War re-enactors and representatives from local American Legion Posts as well as the talented Marching Band from the Mount Olive High School.

      Besides checking out all the tanks, helicopters and displays in the area, the children had fun on the trackless train, the moon walker, pony rides, the Itty Bitty Fire Truck, as well as having their faces painted by local Marines and being entertained by Ree-Nee, the clown, who made them balloon animals. The Marines also displayed their MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) for tasting and also sponsored a machine gun blank firing station.  The adults, too, enjoyed seeing all the exhibits.

      Also, on hand for return engagements were members of the West Point Jazz Ensemble and the Silver Starlite Orchestra who performed for everyone’s enjoyment under the big, white tent.

      There was also plenty of food and drinks available to keep everyone satisfied. The ice cream from Cliff’s was a big hit as usual.

      The crowd-pleasing tank vs. car crush exhibition was held again and, as usual, amazed the children and adults as the tank crushed the car flat as a pancake.

      Although this year's event had smaller attendance, those who work here had the opportunity to view the weapons and tanks researched and developed here that assist in keeping our military the best in the world. They also paid tribute to all members of the Armed Services, who sacrifice and devote their lives for this nation's freedom.

Reenactment Groups, such as Lamb's Artillery on the left, marched in the parade and camped as they did in days of yore.

Here comes one of the Picatinny Fire Trucks down the parade route!

Repeat performances:  Left: The West Point Jazz Knights, directed by Sgt. Maj. Jim Perry, perform big band music under the big tent again featuring vocalist Staff Sgt. Laura Bradley. Right:  Silver Starlite Orchestra vocalist Nancy Koch sings big band songs such as Pennsylvania 6-5000 while the spectators ate their lunch under the big, white tent.

(Left) Vintage World War II vehicles brought by the Military Transportation Association of New Jersey were on display in the parking lot. (Photo by Vincent Marchese)  Right: West Point Mules trot down the parade route.  (Photo by Vincent Marchese)

ARDEC Commander Col. John A. Merkwan poses with the winners of the Most Patriotic Contest during the MWR 5K Walk/Run. Winners are: first place - Elaine Domenech, second place - Debby McMatton, third place - Mike Gubash and fourth place - Mike McManus. More than 350 walkers and runners participated in the event.  Winners of the Walk/Run are as follows:  Male Winners:  1st - James Murnane, 17:29; 2nd - Mike Smurla, 17:56 and 3rd - Charlie Castiglioni, 17:42.  Female Winners:  1st - Robin Mason, 24:26; 2nd - Wendy Fransicovish, 25:46 and 3rd - Amy Gormly, 26:35. Military male winners: 1st - Don Holdridge, 17:33; 2nd - Lt. Bruce Rashleigh, 22:59 and 3rd - Maj. Jay Ferreira, 23:12.  Military Female Winners: 1st - Jenny Sanders, 27:48.  Kid Winners:  1st - Tasca at 29:35 followed by Ilane Dominish.  Walkers: Tied for first - Leo Petuchoras and Donald Murphy at 36:20.  Winning the Ideal Run Time of 22:10 was Tim Carol with 22:11.  Winning the Ideal Walker Time of 37:04 was Lycian Ingrasio at 36:35.

Kid fun . . .

Left: Marines, based here, put camouflage paint on the visiting kids! Right: Ree-Nee, the clown, entertains the children with balloon animals.

Left: Kids enjoy riding the fire truck! Right: Are you ready to jump around? Kids enter the Moonwalk.

A typical boy!  With all the activities available, what does he choose to do -- play in the puddle, of course!!!