Message from the Mayor
This year, we were able to resume two important events in Cranford. In May, we gathered again for the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony to celebrate and honor those residents who lost their lives serving our country in the military. It was a very special day and I was proud to play a small part with other members of the Township Committee.
On Sunday, I attended the annual Veteran’s Day breakfast at the VFW Post 335. It was wonderful to meet men and women who served in various branches of the military through the years. These two traditions are important and valuable to our sense of community. Each is a reminder of people who unselfishly serve our country and Cranford in so many ways. Here are my comments from the breakfast.
“After their active service, veterans very often remain involved in their community as police officers and fire fighters, teachers, business and community leaders, volunteers. You bring skills and experience, sense of “team” and “duty” to these endeavors and make Cranford a better place.
"We will honor you on Thursday, Veteran’s Day but that is a hollow recognition if we fail to appreciate and honor your service every day. That’s how we can truly respect and thank you for your service to our country and to the freedoms we enjoy.
"It is perfect that Veteran’s Day follows Election Day – that time when we have the greatest opportunity to express our opinion and participate in governance. And, yet far too many citizens skip it and don’t bother to vote. It infuriates me to hear – “It doesn’t matter,” “Nothing changes,” “My guy, or woman, didn’t win.” The freedom and right to vote isn’t about your candidate winning or getting your way. It’s about the fact that you have the freedom and right to vote. Ladies and gentlemen, you served to defend that right for each of us.
"I am so touched to be here today because I am a proud daughter of veterans. My father and my mother served in the US Navy in World War II. In fact, my mother was in the first group of women permitted to join the WAVES. She was always immensely proud of that achievement as am I.
"Thank you for inviting me today. It is truly an honor to share this breakfast and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our country, our town. We owe you thanks and respect every day. We also owe you a commitment to honor your service by participating in democracy with respect for our differences and opinions.”
Kathleen Miller Prunty
Mayor
