Morris honors soldiers who paid 'ultimate sacrifice'

MORRISTOWN – Hundreds gathered around the Green Monday morning for the closing ceremony to the Morristown and Morris Township Parade to remember our country's fallen soldiers.

The parade, which began at the Morris Township Municipal Building and covered more than one and a half miles to the Morristown Green, was organized by the Memorial and Veterans Day Association of Morristown.

The Morristown High School marching band joined elected officials in the march, along with area Little League teams. "What's more American than baseball?" Morris Township deputy Mayor Bruce Sisler commented to a crowd.

Waiting at the Green were veterans from all service branches and from wars dating back to World War II.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty emphasized the solemn purpose of Memorial Day, which can get lost in the barbecues and trips to the shore in what has become the unofficial start to summer.

"We forget so many times why we're here. It's very simple. It's to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the armed services for our country, giving their life for our freedom," Dougherty said. "It's not about sales, or beds, or cars, or picnics or the beginning of the summer. It's to be memorialized as a day to remember what so many people sacrificed — the ultimate sacrifice, their life — for us to have this freedom to remember them today."

Following the Roll of Honor — where nearly 40 names of Morristown and Morris Township veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day were listed and lauded — Captain George R.A. Johns was honored.

A U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot, Johns fought in both World War II and the Korean War, and shared his experiences with a captivated crowd of about 250 people on the Green.

Johns shot down 11 enemy planes during 250 missions beginning at age 17. Following his speech, he thanked his son and grandson for their service in the Marine Corps as well.

Jim Hennessey, 80, of Morristown was among the many in attendance Monday. A veteran of the Cold War, he spent two years in Germany in the late 1950s prior to construction of the Berlin Wall.

"Memorial Day means a lot to me. It's a day to remember what we take for granted, which we should do at least one day a year, if not every day," Hennessey said. "My uncle was killed in World War I, my cousins were killed in World War II, shot down over Germany and killed in the Battle of the Bulge just weeks apart. All were from Morristown like me."

Prior to the service on the Morristown Green, Hennessey stopped by the Holy Rood Cemetery in Morris Township, where Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts placed American flags on the graves of veterans.

William Dunlap, 89, of Morristown enlisted in the Navy in 1942, answering the call of duty at just 16 years old.

"I wanted to go into the Navy but I had to have my mother and father sign the papers," Dunlap said. "I took them to my father and said 'Hey pop, sign these.' He told me, 'Oh no, if something happens to you, your mother will kill me.'"

It took several weeks, but Dunlap eventually got those signatures and served for three and a half years, some in the Pacific Theater.

"All these guys did their job and I'm here to honor their service," Dunlap said. "It's a day to reflect on it all, especially those we lost, which is the worst part. I'm lucky to be here."

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com