After the trials and tribulations of the last few years, Essex Fells was able to mark Memorial Day with a full set of events in time-honored fashion. The last time that we saw all three events on Memorial Day was 2019.

For those who missed them, and for future years, Memorial Day starts at 8:30 with a ceremony in front of Borough Hall. That is followed by the West Essex Memorial Day parade down Bloomfield Avenue starting at 9:30. Finally, the town picnic on the Green from midday.

 

The morning ceremony commemorates the five sons of Essex Fells who fell in service to our country. Their names are memorialized on five plaques in the memorial garden in front of Borough Hall.

Mayor Davis read out their names. A bugler played "Taps." Their memory continues to inspire a community about what it means to serve.  

In a tradition started by former Mayor Abbot, Mayor Davis then welcomed Essex Fells veterans to the ceremony and invited them to state their branch and years of service.

In his comments, the mayor thanked the veterans both for their military service in the past and their community service in more recent years to Essex Fells. He drew parallels between "service to country" and "service to community." The spirit of volunteerism that runs so strong in Essex Fells has been critical to achieving many of the great things about our Borough. Long may it continue, and long may they inspire younger generations to volunteer in our community in the same way.

 

The West Essex Memorial Day parade consists of several towns (Fairfield, Roseland, the Caldwells, as well as Essex Fells) marching the 1-mile route from the corner of Bloomfield and Roseland Avenues down towards the gazebo at the Caldwell Recreation department at Fairfield Avenue.

The order of march has been well established over many years, with each group being allocated a "staging post."

In time-honored fashion, Essex Fells Fire Department took up their allocated position.

Behind the mayors, town councilors, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, marching bands, vintage cars, first aid squads, motorbikes, bicyclists, and anyone else that wants to march, at the very end come the fire departments.

At the back of the fire departments, at the very end of the parade, comes the Essex Fells Fire Department.

The honor of being very last in the parade is ours for reasons that no one quite remembers.

One reason might be that the staging post is convenient to Dunkin for early morning coffee and donuts. However, another myth is it mitigates the damage that Chris Boeckel and his rag-tag army of ankle-biters can do. To explain: Every year the parade organizers request that candy is not thrown from vehicles. And, every year, under Chris’ tutelage, an army of children appear in the midst of the fire trucks hurling candy at unsuspecting parade-goers.

At least by being at the back, the chaos is mitigated — somewhat.

 

The picnic returned to its regular date this year and was a great success. The glorious weather created a big turnout. Fun was had by young and old alike: music, dancing, tug-of-rope, egg toss, T-shirts, burgers, beer, and ice cream. Finally, the young and young-at-heart were cooled off at the end of the day with a hose-down from a fire truck.

  

On behalf of Essex Fells, the fire department sends its sincere thanks to the following and for the generous donations that make the picnic possible at zero cost to the taxpayers.

Newer families who moved into town in the last few years may not be aware of these three annual events. They may want to take note for next year to fully participate.