The Daily Newarker — Press Wire

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER, G.I. GO FUND, PRUDENTIAL, AND PSEG

OBSERVE VETERANS’ DAY AT MILITARY PARK CEREMONY

Veterans of all American wars are recognized in solemn ceremony;

Flag lowered to half-mast to honor 13 victims of Fort Hood shooting incident

Newark, NJ - November 11, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Municipal Council, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, G.I. Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous, Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld, President PSEG Fossil Rich Lopriore, and other dignitaries joined with Essex County veterans’ organizations to observe Veterans’ Day with a solemn flag-raising ceremony this morning at Newark’s Downtown Military Park, at Raymond Boulevard and Broad Street. Veterans’ Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, is a federal holiday that honors American veterans of all wars.

“We in Newark drink today from the wells of liberty that were dug by other hands,” Mayor Booker said. “Liberty demands constant sacrifice, and countless numbers of men and women from this community have stepped forward and made those sacrifices for us. Today, in an unequivocal and collective voice, Newark says ‘thank you’ for that commitment and sacrifice.”

At the start of the ceremony, the Essex County Emerald Society Police and Fire Pipes and Drums played the official anthems of all the military service branches as the Guardsmen slowly raised the “Stars and Stripes” on the historic “Liberty Pole” over Military Park. A crowd of Prudential and PSEG employees in attendance saluted as the flag unfurled, and observed a moment of silence as the flag was then lowered to half-mast to honor the 13 victims of the Fort Hood shooting incident last week.

The American flag used for the ceremony was donated to the City of Newark by Prudential, which was the sponsor of the event. The flag flew over the Army’s Convoy Support Center in Scania, Iraq, during Operation Enduring Freedom on June 15^th, 2008. The flag was then presented by the 73^rd Cavalry Regiment to Prudential Senior Vice President and Chief Auditor Tom Carroll for today’s ceremony.

“We are very proud of the service of America’s veterans and of their commitment to our country,” said Mr. Strangfeld. “The historic flag that we are donating to the City of Newark for our joint celebration of Veterans’ Day is a small tribute to the valor and sacrifice of our veterans.”

Prudential is also observing Veterans’ Day by displaying military rations in their cafeterias and displaying uniforms and equipment in the main lobby of their Washington Street building. An American flag that flew over the Marine Corps Combat Base in An Hoa, Vietnam, in 1970, will also be displayed in the lobby of the Prudential Plaza Building.

The flag-raising Guardsmen also came from a proud lineage: Headquarters and Alpha Companies of the Manhattan-based 1^st Battalion, 69^th Infantry Regiment, the famed “Fighting 69^th” that earned medals and distinction for its courage in two World Wars.

Pfc. Phillip Button, one of the flag-raisers from the 69^th Infantry, has already done a tour in Iraq. “My unit provided security for US Marine Corps engineers when they went out to do work,” he said. “We were lucky – the only casualty was a sprained ankle. This event today was fantastic.”

Residents of Newark have served in all of America’s wars from the American Revolution to Afghanistan and Iraq. Three Newark residents have died in the latter two operations, while hundreds of other Newarkers just returned this year from those campaigns, as part of the largest overseas deployment of New Jersey National Guardsmen since World War II.  During the ceremony two New Jersey veterans who recently returned from tours in Iraq were recognized: Army Sgt. Richard Turner, who is a representative from the office of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, and former Marine Sergeant Joe Pace, now a PSEG Newark-based employee.

Mr. Pace joined the Marines shortly after the deadly terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and served three tours in Iraq. After leaving the Corps, he attended a veterans’ job fair hosted by the G.I. Go Fund at NJIT, where he gained a job with PSEG. At today’s ceremony Mr. Pace presented the Mayor with a commemorative plaque to thank him for his support of Newark’s veterans. 

“The reason this country is great is because of the men and women who volunteer to defend our borders, and make us the land of the free and the home of the brave,” Mr. Pace said. “I am so grateful to see everyone here giving support to our veterans.”

“We do not do enough to recognize the men and women in our Armed Forces who carry the great burden and responsibility of defending America.  Fortunately, our military is made up of many brave Americans and we are indebted to them for their extraordinary accomplishments. Veterans remind us that freedom isn’t free, and the least we can do is say ‘Thank you,’” said Rich Lopriore, President PSEG Fossil. He manages a portfolio of 15 power plants in five states.

The G.I. Go Veterans Transition Center of Newark opened the doors to its office in Newark City Hall a year ago. The non-profit organization provides and coordinates a vast array of services and support to veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Currently operating from a centralized location in Newark City Hall, The G.I. Go Veterans Transition Center provides veterans with support for VA enrollment, mental wellness, securing employment, education advancement, and financial support, among other things. The center is unique, as it is the first-ever partnership between a municipality and a non-governmental organization (NGO) to support veterans and address their issues in the nation’s history.

The center has seen and communicated with nearly 350 veterans since its inception in November 2008, connecting them with the VA and state agencies for the benefits entitled to them. In addition nearly 5,000 veterans from across the state and 600 Newark Veterans have attended G.I. Go Job Fairs, taking the opportunity to meet with 150 different employers. G.I. Go outreach events have reached 600 veterans, 300 of whom are homeless, connecting them with the various federal, state and non-profit agencies dedicated to assisting our nation’s veterans. G.I. Go’s financial assistance program has helped 16 different veteran families avoid foreclosure, eviction, and utility shut-offs, and provided 26 different families with much-needed emergency grocery assistance.

“It is always wonderful to see so many people celebrating veterans and the tremendous sacrifice they have made to make us free. I hope that we can move forward from today treating every day as if it were Veterans Day because not only do our veterans deserve it they need it,” said Mr. Fanous. “I am hopeful today, because we are seeing our City coming together to provide veterans with the support they need.”

Veterans from American Legion Gibraltar Post 326, made up of Prudential employees, attended the event, wearing the Legion’s distinctive blue hats. “It’s great to see such support and so many people come out and say ‘thanks,’” said post member and Prudential IT Project Manager Matt Corning. “People will come up to us in our cubicles back at work later today and say that, too. It really makes you feel good.” Mr. Corning served 20 years in the Marines and the New Jersey National Guard.

Offering the perspective of a war that ended 65 years ago was Clarence “Curly” Coleman, who has operated a shoe repair shop on Bergen Street since 1957. A Gunner’s Mate on the heavy cruiser USS Baltimore during World War II, Mr. Coleman today tells his 32 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren about fighting in the liberation of the Philippines in 1944, weathering Japanese kamikaze attacks in 1945, and serving in a racially-segregated Navy. “Today was a beautiful ceremony,” he said. “Veterans are getting a lot more respect today than when I got out.”

He peered knowingly at the young Guardsmen in digital camouflage uniforms, and said, “They’re as good as the guys who served on the Baltimore.”

For more information on other G.I. Go Fund programs, visit www.gigofund.orgor call the G.I. Go Veterans Transition Center at (973) 802-1479. For information on all other City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Press Information Office (973) 733-8004

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

About Newark’s Downtown Military Park

Military Park was originally a training place for soldiers from 1667 when the city was planned until 1869 when it became the Town Commons. During the Civil War, New Jersey recruited, mustered, and organized its regiments to fight in the Union Army at Military Park. The park contains the Wars of America monument, which was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum, who created Mount Rushmore. The statue depicts warriors from America’s conflicts from the American Revolution to World War I, and it forms the base of a large concrete sword built into the ground. The sword is about 80 yards long from the end of the statue to its tip and the blade is longer than 10 feet across at its base.  The flagpole to be used for the ceremony is called the “Liberty Pole” and was erected on Thanksgiving Day, 1906.

About Prudential Financial, Inc.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with approximately $641 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2009, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping approximately 50 million individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company’s well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential’s businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/.

About PSEG:

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of more than $13 billion, and three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). For more information, please visit www.pseg.com.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

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