Veterans Day, 11/11/16
Photographed and Reported by Jim
Gerrish
The boy scouts were ready to
bring in the wreath when I arrived at the Veterans' Monument at
City Hall Plaza in East Orange, just moments before 11:00 AM.
The veterans were all seated in
place waiting for the ceremony to begin.
At exactly 11:00 AM, the boy
scouts brought in the wreath and placed it in front of the
Veterans' Monument. The veterans stood and everyone recited the
pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Then "Taps" was played
for the flag salute. At that point the political speeches began,
so I held my tongue and left quietly, having heard them all
before. However, I did not stop photographing the shameful side to this story.
Previous Veterans Day Reports:
2011 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015