A traveling memorial to members of the military was met by first responders throughout Warren County as it made its way from Pennsylvania to Wantage in Sussex County.
Escorted by State Police and members of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club as well as other groups, the motorcade passed through Hardwick, Knowlton and Blairstown along I-80 the morning of September 7.
At each overpass, the procession was saluted by members of local fire departments, first aid squads and police.
The traveling photographic war memorial honors fallen service men and women from the Global War on Terror. When set up, the memorial has 34 Tribute Towers. It includes tributes to those who were killed in action but also recognizes the sacrifices of those who suffered “invisible” wounds such as post-traumatic stress syndrome.
A section of the memorial also honors service members who died stateside and those who died in non-combat accidents.
The 34 towers of the memorial in total honors with photos more than 5,400 service men and women.
The memorial was open in Woodbourne Park in Wantage from September 8-11.
Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer
Joe was lured out of retirement by the opportunity to be a part of the Ridge View Echo. During a decades-long career in publishing and journalism, he has covered government on many levels from local school boards to the United States Supreme Court.
Along the way, Joe has worked at American Lawyer Magazine, The National Law Journal and The Record among other publications, and as the Press Officer of Columbia Law School. His work has been recognized with several first place awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the New Jersey Press Association.
Being part of the Ridge View Echo brings Joe back to his roots and the kind of news coverage he loves: Telling the stories of people and local communities as well as keeping an eye on how their money is spent by their government officials.
Joe lives in Blairstown with his wife Rose, the founder of Quilting for a Cause, and their two wiener dogs. He is an artist in his spare time.
