Picatinny Soldiers support local Veterans Day activities

By Ms. Audra Calloway (AMC)November 24, 2008

Picatinny Soldiers support local Veterans Day activities
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- Picatinny Soldiers joined local organizations in honoring veterans during various Veterans Day activities the week of Nov. 4.

Seven military officers from Picatinny took time from their personal schedules to participate in local Veterans Day observances, parades and school assemblies throughout northern New Jersey.

One of the officers, Maj. Marc Meeker from the office of the Project Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems, spoke to an audience of a couple hundred high-school seniors during a Veterans Day program at High Point High Regional High School in Sussex.

"This was an honor and a privilege to speak to upcoming seniors who have their whole life in front of them," Meeker said of the event. "In my opinion it's important to understand that veterans aren't necessarily looking for a thank you, but are looking for the young people to take advantage of all the freedoms the veterans have fought for."

In addition to Meeker's participation, he said the school unveiled a patriotic mural and also had Marines who graduated from High Point Regional High School speak to the students.

Other Picatinny personnel also participated in a variety of different Veterans Day programs.

Maj. Ginger Whitehead took part in Veterans Day assemblies at two schools, Allamuchy Township Elementary School and Green Hills Elementary School.

During the assemblies, Whitehead displayed pictures and shared experiences from her deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Kenneth Robertson spoke at the American Legion Post 91 in Wharton. He also participated in a parade through Wharton and helped lay wreaths on military memorials in the town.

Lt. Col. John Stack spoke to students at both Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Rockaway and Union Hill High School in Union City. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the current Multi-National Force - Iraq commander, also sent a video message to students at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School assembly. Odierno is a New Jersey native who attended Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

Maj. Andrew Lunoff participated in Jefferson Township's annual Veterans Day observance, and Maj. Curtiss Bailey spoke to children at Center Grove Elementary School in Randolph.

Picatinny's commanding general, Brig. Gen. William N. Phillips, also paid tribute to those who served in the military by speaking at a local veterans' observance at the American Legion Post 344 in Rockaway Township.