Veterans Whose Service Spanned Decades and Globe Honored in Bernardsville

Recently returned Army Veteran Jame Miervaldis of Basking Ridge, who spoke of his mission of working toward reform of the judicial system in Afghanistan, best illustrated the link of veterans that transcends place and generation.

"I am proud to be a member of your ranks," Miervaldis told the rows of members of the Bernardsville-Basking Ridge Memorial VFW Post 7858. "I am happy to call you my friends."

He added, "It's good to be home."

During his brief speech, Miervaldis spoke about the "harsh but beautiful" country of Afghanistan. Earlier, he had noted the country's extremes in temperatures ranging from well over 100 degrees at some times in certain places, to a frigid minus 10 degrees elsewhere.

He said he feels Afghanistan's best hope lies among the 20-somethings who grew up with Americans.

Kevin Barry, chairman of the Bernardsville Memorial Day Parade, who said he served in Viet Nam in 1965, thanked many people for joining together to make the parade happen, including borough recreation director Cheryl Ferrante and parade grand marshall Rich dePoortere.

Other veterans at the parade served in Korea or in World War II.

Bernardsville Middle School eighth grader Olivia Lawrence sang the National Anthem.

The ceremony also included a roll call of Bernardsville residents who had lost their lives while serving overseas in wars dating from World War I through Viet Nam.

Bernardsville Mayor Lee Honecker said the warm and sunny day was the best weather the parade could have had.

He and Somerset County Freeholder Director Peter Palmer, a Bernardsville native, agreed tha tthe weather had help bring out the crowd.

Palmer added he could not think of a town the size of Bernardsville with a more enthusiastic turnout.