Long History of Honoring Veterans
Submitted by Al Shipley, City Historian and Rahway Library Research Consultant
You just have to look around. The citizens of Rahway have always been faithful in remembering and honoring the service of veterans. In most every part of the city, one can find tributes to those who served in the United States Armed Forces dating back to the early days of our country’s beginnings.
Some years ago, a sign was erected by the New Jersey Commission on Historic Sites to commemorate the Battle of Spanktown, a battle that was fought during the Revolutionary War in January and June of 1777. The plaque stands on St. Georges Avenue near the entrance to the Rahway County Park to mark the site where American troops met and fought British regulars in a two-hour engagement. The name Spanktown still evokes a sense of pride in the city and is a reminder of the struggle for American independence made by the brave men and women who lived in the area who contributed to the creation of the new country.
During our Civil War, 535 Rahway boys, about one-tenth of the population, joined the United States Army to preserve the Union and to help bring an end to slavery. The veterans who returned formed Barry Post 27 of the Grand Army of the Republic. The Post became an important and respected organization in the community. In 1913 the citizens of Rahway erected the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the triangle at Main, Irving and Central Avenue to remember those who fought in the Revolution War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.
On July 4, 1919, a celebration was held to recognize the end of WW I. There was a parade, banquet, and a ceremony at Riverside Park where over 300 medals were awarded to veterans in appreciation of service. Eleven red oaks were planted at the park for the Rahway soldiers who died during the war. In September 1919, American Legion Post 5 was established. It was one of the first Legion Posts to be chartered in New Jersey. In 1923, Mulvey Ditmars Post 681 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded by veterans of the Spanish American War and WW I. A monument for the WW I veterans who made the Supreme Sacrifice would later be erected on the triangle at St. Georges Avenue, Pierpont and Forbes Streets.
During World War II, an impressive 6’ X 25’ “Wall of Honor” was placed next to the Campbell Street City Hall listing names of the more than 2,400 Rahway men and woman serving in the war. Two years after the war had ended, 58 trees were planted in the Rahway County Park for the 58 soldiers who died during the war. The trees have recently been tagged with QR codes so they can be scanned for information on each soldier. A monument for the WW II soldiers who made the Supreme Sacrifice was erected next to the WW I memorial on the triangle and in 1958 a monument was added for those who lost their lives during the Korean War.
In the early part of the 1960s, the three monuments were moved to Squier Memorial Park, on the corner of St. Georges Avenue and Grand Avenue. Since the move, monuments were added for Vietnam Veterans and, in 2006, for Purple Heart recipients.
One can also find other memorials in the town including the one on the Grand Avenue, Patterson, and Washington Street triangle. The monument lists the names of 17 men who lived in the East Rahway neighborhood who died in wars from WW I to Vietnam.
Many tributes are also held annually in our local cemeteries. Flags are placed on graves of veterans each Memorial Day. Since 1997, the James E. Mackie Post 499 of the American Legion, chartered in 1945, holds a memorial service on the third Saturday in July to honor the 29 veterans who were part of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War. The Rahway Cemetery is also the site for the National Wreaths Across America program. Each year, in December, over 200 volunteers from across the state gather in the Rahway Cemetery to lay 650 wreaths on the graves of veterans who served their country dating back to the American Revolution.
After WW II, a city ordinance was created mandating that any newly laid street would be named after an enlisted person that died during a time of war. Today there are 44 such streets. The intersection of St. Georges Avenue and Grand Avenue was “officially” named General Al Gray Boulevard to recognize the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Corps highest rank, who grew up in Rahway. Ten of the city’s 18 parks are named after Rahway veterans. More recently, banners have been placed around the city lining the main thoroughfares. Banners to honor our veterans who made the Supreme Sacrifice line St. Georges Avenue. Banners for Rahway veterans line the avenues that lead to St. Georges.
It’s important that a city remembers to recognize the patriotic service of its citizens. Rahway does. You just have to look around.
