Mayor Mapp leads simple, dignified Memorial Day ceremony

Mayor Mapp and veterans placed a wreath at the War Memorial
at the flagpole.

Mayor Mapp is joined by Schools Superintendent Anna Belin Pyles (l.)
and Freeholder Linda Carter (r.) in recognizing
Plainfield Buffalo Soldier Donald Van Blake.

Plainfield High School ROTC cadets formed the color guard.

Councilor Barry Goode delivers the invocation.

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp led Plainfield veterans, residents and friends in a simple and dignified observance of Memorial Day Monday morning.

The mayor and veterans present marched from City Hall to the War Memorial at the flagpole in front of Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, where a wreath was placed.

After returning to City Hall, the remainder of the observance was conducted in front of the Veterans Memorial there.

The began with the national anthem, sung by Blessing Babayemi, and an invocation by Councilor Barry Goode.

After recognizing elected officials, Mayor Mapp singled out Donald Van Blake, Plainfield's only surviving Buffalo Soldier, for special mention.

PAAAS student Matthew Branch plays "Taps".

Brief remarks by Cornell Hawkins of American Legion Post 219 and Mayor Mapp were followed by a rendition of "Taps' by PAAAS student Matthew Branch, bringing the commemoration to a close.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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