Community Corner

Tribute Will Honor Veterans in 'Somber' Memorial

Sen. Christopher Bateman spearheaded bringing the American Veterans Traveling Tribute to Bridgewater.

It is looked at as a way to pay tribute to Vietnam veterans, and Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman is proud to have the chance to bring a traveling memorial to Bridgewater.

“I think it’s very important that we pay tribute and honor Vietnam veterans,” he said. “When they came home, it wasn’t a great welcoming for them, and they sacrificed their lives.”

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute [AVTT] and Traveling Vietnam Wall will come to , beginning Thursday at 1 p.m. and remaining open 24 hours a day until 3 p.m. Sunday.

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bateman said he was approached by Joseph Yuzik, vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452 about bringing the American Veterans Traveling Tribute to Somerset County. All he needed to do, Bateman said, was raise the funds to pay for it to come.

“He told me I would need $10,000 to get the wall here,” Bateman said. “I was reaching out to banks, Verizon and other places to be able to raise the money.”

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bateman said he was able to raise the funds necessary, and got commitments from vendors to supply food, as well as from other volunteers looking to help out.

“The businesses were very generous,” he said. “It wasn’t difficult to raise the money.”

Bridgewater Township Police Lt. Al Nicaretta said there will be a police officer escorting the memorial to North Branch Park, along with members of state police. And there will be officers present at the memorial, Nicaretta said, with police there between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. every night it’s open.

With the tribute coming to North Branch Park, Bateman said he hopes all county residents are inspired to stop by either for the various wreath-layings being held throughout the weekend, or just to see the memorial. He said about 100,000 people attended when the tribute was recently at Flemington.

“I’m hoping thousands of people come out,” he said. “We are encouraging as many people as possible to come and honor our veterans.”

John LeGates, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 452, said this gives the families of the veterans, and the surrounding community as a whole, a chance to pay their respects and honor those who died.

“And it brings some sort of closure to a lot of people who may not be able to travel to Washington D.C. and who never saw the real wall,” he said. “This traveling wall fills in that aspect of not seeing it in person.”

LeGates said there will hopefully be lots of people visiting, and some veterans that have had trouble adjusting may come to the wall to look for their friends’ names.

“There are various reactions, and it’s an emotional time for them,” he said.

Ceremonies throughout the weekend will include ones to honor law enforcement and first responders, as well as all those who have served and are currently in the military. And LeGates said the placement of wreaths is always done for veterans.

“It is out of respect and remembrance,” he said. “It is a sign of respect and honor.”

And Bridgewater Township Mayor Patricia Flannery said it is important to remember the memorial will honor all veterans, not just those who gave their lives in the Vietnam War.

“Visiting the American Veterans Traveling Wall is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our respect and appreciation for those who have given so much to preserve our American way of life,” she said. “While it highlights the Vietnam War military who clearly have been the most neglected, there are also displays acknowledging all who gave their lives since the Vietnam War until present day, a 9/11 exhibit and other relevant commemorations revolving around our country’s defense.”

Bateman said he encourages everyone to take the time to visit the memorial, and even looks at this as an educational opportunity for younger children.

“The county lost residents, and some are missing, and this is a way for people to have some closure and for the public to honor all of our veterans,” he added. “It is a very somber experience.”

Click for a full schedule of events during the weekend.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here