U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) today spoke with Paterson Postmaster Timothy Kennedy and Supervisor Carmen Bruno. Both men assured the congressman that the Memorial Day ceremony will be reinstated next year, after the ceremony was cancelled yesterday for the first time in 30 years. To make up for the lost ceremony, Rep. Pascrell is working with the postal officials toward a service honoring veterans at the Paterson Post Office on Flag Day, June 14. 

“The discussions I had today were frank and productive. We all came to the understanding that we should never allow a few dollars to stand in the way of our local traditions of honoring those who gave their lives for our country,” said Pascrell, a lifelong resident of Paterson who attended more than 25 Memorial Day evens during the past three-day weekend. “But if the ceremony is cost-prohibitive for the post office next year, I’ll work with the veterans to make sure we raise the funds we need to have the ceremony in the Paterson Post Office.”

Anthony Vancheri, president of the Paterson Veterans Council, said the announcement is “good news.” 

“It’s a go. We’ll be there,’ said Vancheri. “What happened yesterday is yesterday. We thank Congressman Pascrell for his diligence and attention to this matter. Let’s move on to Flag Day.  It’s just another day that we can honor our brothers and sisters.”

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