NORTH BRUNSWICK – A local committee formed to preserve the history of the Great War will present a special exhibit this weekend.
The “North Brunswick Remembers” exhibit will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 21 at American Legion Post 459, 1015 Linwood Place, North Brunswick. The exhibit will display objects, including military uniforms, medals, diaries and historic photographs that were donated by military families. Navigators will teach about the history of the artifacts. Refreshments will be served.
“It is amazing though – 100 years is a long time, but still, the horror and the way World War I shaped the world that we live in today is something that is all too often forgotten, and the sacrifices made by Americans as well as Europeans in that horrible war is something that we’re grateful that we have a committee that will help our town remember and commemorate,” North Brunswick Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said during the reading of a proclamation for members of the North Brunswick World War I Centennial Committee during the Oct. 2 council meeting.
On the same day, Elmwood Cemetery, 425 Georges Road, North Brunswick, will hold two free tours from 10 a.m.t o 2 p.m. to hear the history of World War I participants come alive.
In addition, North Brunswick Township High School (NBTHS) will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 at the school, which is located on Raider Road. Special recognition and videos from the Medal of Honor program will commemorate those who participated in World War I. All veterans are invited, along with the public.
The North Brunswick World War I Centennial Commission will follow the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission to commemorate, honor and educate the public through events and educational activities. April 6 marked the 100th anniversary of America’s declaration of war against Imperial Germany.
The North Brunswick committee has been commissioned for one year, and currently North Brunswick is the only town in Middlesex County with such a committee, according to member Pete Clark.
“This is something we felt was very important to do,” Clark said. “It’s a very good and productive project.”
Committee members include Councilman Bob Davis; Richard Pender, senior vice commander of American Legion Post 459 in North Brunswick; Michael Rizzi, squadron commander for the Sons of the American Legion at Post 459; Bob Porter, VFW District 8 commander for Middlesex County; Bob Kolesar, commander of VFW Post 2319, that serves North Brunswick and Milltown; Paul Carroll of American Legion Post 459; Mike Kneller, assistant principal and Social Studies supervisor at NBTHS; Pete Clark, former principal of the high school; and Eleanor Molloy, president of Elmwood Cemetery.
To make a donation to the committee or the exhibit, call Pender at 908-812-3113.
