
PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - First responders assigned to Picatinny Arsenal’s Directorate of Emergency Services broke bread together at an “appreciation” luncheon hosted outside the installation’s fire department on Sep. 12.
The event, with food donated by local restaurant “Teriyaki Madness,” offered personnel assigned to the Picatinny Arsenal Fire Department, Police Department, and Guard Force, the opportunity to come together for a meal after completing the final lap of the fifth annual 24-hour moving flag tribute.
The Japanese style lunch was provided to DES personnel free of charge as a form of “Thank you’ and recognition of DES services, including the mutual aid support that the fire department provides in neighboring communities such as Rockaway, where the restaurant is located.
On Wednesday, Picatinny Arsenal officials observed the 23rd annual remembrance of the September 11, 2001, attacks against our nation with a wreath-laying ceremony at the installation’s headquarters flagpole.
The remembrance ceremony honored all those who lost their lives on 9/11, including 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and 71 law enforcement officers who died in the World Trade Center and on the ground in New York City.

The fire department then kicked off the 24-hour moving flag tribute when Captain Ean Chong, wearing fire protective gear, began running the American flag on a designated course throughout the installation. Volunteers would keep ‘Old Glory’ moving until Thursday morning, when hundreds of installation employees and family members joined the installation’s commanding general, Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, in the final lap.

As a first responder, these celebrations hold a special significance for Assistant Chief William Erichsen, especially as an occasion to pass on the knowledge he has learned to younger generations about the importance of coming together.
“I hope you guys enjoyed this lunch here today,” Erichsen said to a younger generation of firefighters. “We don’t do what we do for people to say, ‘Thank you.’ We do it because it is a good thing to do, and we are called to do it. It is nice when people say, ‘Thank you.’ We take that and hope it carries us until the next time. We work hard throughout the year, especially these last couple of days, but we need to take time and remember why we do it.
“For those of you who weren’t around during 9/11, I urge you to talk to some in the fire department who were. As hard as it is for me to think about it, we’re starting to go away. The guys that were working here during 9/11, there’s only two of them left in the department. Just remember that guys from Picatinny, did volunteer, did go and helped on 9/11. We had a presence; we had a purpose. This is for us to be able to pass on to that younger generation. Maybe in 20 years if I am still alive, I will sign up for the 24-hour moving flag tribute and let you guys take a break. Keep up the great work.”
Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Franks, presented Anthony Santarelli, Teriyaki Madness Operating Partner, and Clarence Green, District Manager, with a certificate of appreciation, and a two-star note signed by Reim, for their willingness to support and cater the event.
Santarelli told the audience of firemen and police officers that it was an honor to be able to give back to those who sacrifice so much.
“We are always looking for opportunities to say, ‘Thank you,’ even if it is a small gesture like today,” Santarelli said. “We can do what we do because of those who run towards conflict or danger, rather than away from it. Thank you for all that you do.”

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