Veterans Day Recognized With Field of Honor Flags

Hurricane Sandy may have canceled a but the flags are up in time for Veterans Day.

Without fanfare, about 20 volunteers placed 130 flags on the lawn of the municipal complex on Friday. The display will remain up for two weeks, according to Laura Begg, chairwoman of the Bernards Township Beautification Committee and organizer of the event.

"This will not only be a keeping a tribute to our veterans alive—and just prior to Veterans Day—but it will likewise assist a battered community in coming together to give some hope and spirit to those who could use it in a very difficult time," Begg said.

The flags to honor veterans were pre-purchased by area individuals and organizations representing veterans throughout the Somerset Hills area. A ceremony had been scheduled for last weekend to officially honor their unveiling for the second year in a row.

Even while officials still huddled at the nearby police station for an update status in a town where many still remained without power and roads were blocked, the volunteers were out on Friday raking and cleaning up brush and debris, clearing grass, marking the flag locations, and preparing to install the flag display, Begg said. 

The work was done with the understanding that there would be no resources available from the township to assist, Begg said.

Local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts volunteered for project

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Basking Ridge had volunteered their time to rake town property, layout flag field and install poles and flags. Scouts from Basking Ridge Troop 555, Troop 351 and a Cub Scout from Pack 55 reportedly spent three to four hours last week serving the community and helping to honor veterans.

Begg reported that 130 flags were put up initially, and five more would be added.