06 Nov ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO HOSTS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE AT ESSEX COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK U.S. West Point Cadet Christopher Morgan, Jr. to be Posthumously Presented with the Essex County Community Star Award
Published on November 6, 2019
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. hosted the Annual Essex County Veterans Day Observance in Essex County Veterans Memorial Park in Newark on Friday, November 1st. Joining the County Executive at the ceremony was Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, a Navy veteran who represents the 11th District. During the ceremony, the County Executive posthumously presented an Essex County Community Star Award to the late Christopher Morgan, Jr., a West Orange resident and West Point Cadet who lost his life earlier this year in a training accident. In addition, Essex County employees who are veterans of the seven branches of the military represented in the Essex County Armed Forces monument were invited to attend the ceremony.
“Throughout our country’s history, brave men and women have put their lives on hold to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces at home and abroad. Our Essex County Veterans Memorial Park was created to provide our veterans with a place to find serenity and comfort and provide a constant reminder to the public about their contributions and sacrifices,” DiVincenzo said. “We are proud to stand with our veterans at this important occasion, give them our respect and thank them for representing our country with valor and bravery,” he added.
“Chris Morgan was a natural leader who became the first person from West Orange to attend West Point. His story has been an inspiration to us and we hope his legacy will encourage other young men and women to follow in his footsteps to serve their country,” the Executive added.
“We are thankful to the many communities that have supported us. The love and support has been overwhelming and we are thankful for it,” said Morgan’s father Christopher Sr. who was joined by his wife April.
Addressing Morgan’s parents, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill said, “I hope you can feel the debt of our gratitude to CJ. You raised an incredible man whose life was taken too soon.”
DiVincenzo and Sherrill presented the Community Star Award to Christopher’s parents, Chris Sr. and April Morgan. The plaque states: “Christopher Morgan, Jr. was an inspirational member of his West Orange community. He graduated from West Orange High School in 2015 and soon after, made history by becoming the first West Orange student to attend the U.S. Military West Point Academy. During high school, he was a highly accomplished student and athlete serving as captain for both the varsity football and wrestling teams. Cadet Morgan continued his wrestling career at West Point as a member of the Army wrestling team. Christopher was an exemplary member of his community. His legacy continues to represent the best in his hometown.”
Morgan lost his life on June 6, 2019 as a result of a tragic accident in a military vehicle during a training session at West Point.
“Thank you to the men and women who give their time so we can continue in our daily lives. Chris believed in Democracy in a way that we need to teach our children,” NJ State Senator and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, we are proud to honor those who are committed to serving and protecting their country and honor the legacy of CJ Morgan. Chris was a rising star whose impact as a friend was felt deeply by many,” said Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson, who was joined by Freeholders Patricia Sebold and Len Luciano.
“Chris’ legacy lives on as someone who was heroic and who is a role model of someone who gives back to and has love of their country,” Assemblyman Tom Giblin said.
“Programs such as todays are outstanding recognition of people who are willing to protect our country and make the supreme sacrifice,” Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne said.
“It is an honor to assemble with you today and honor all who have put on the uniform in service of this great nation,” said Clarence Jackson, a member of the Newark DAV and Chairman of the Essex County Veterans Committee.
In addition to honoring the legacy of Christopher Morgan, Sheriff Armando Fontoura remember Jorge Oliveira, an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer who lost his life while serving the Middle East conflict. “Jorge’s statue stands there looking after his fellow officers,” he said of the statue in the park.
Father Ed Leahy, Headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep and President of the Essex County Schools of Technology Board, and Essex County Health Officer Michael Festa, a member of the American Legion Post 185 in Caldwell where he serves as Chaplain, gave the invocations. Brianna Gunter, Mia Perez, Whitney Pierre, Raquel Petite-Frere, Nyasia Ashford and Alaysia Coffield, students at the Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology, sang the National Anthem. Barney Raftery performed the “Armed Forces Medley.” The Essex County Sheriff’s Honor Guard presented the colors at the beginning of the ceremony.
Essex County Veterans Memorial Park became the first new Essex County park developed in Newark in 80 years when it opened in September 2009. It was created on the site of an antiquated parking garage that opened in the 1960s and had become an community eyesore. The 2.7-acre park has about 400 trees, shrubs and perennials, two small meadows, the Armed Forces Memorial, walking paths and decorative metal archways at the entrances. The Armed Forces Memorial includes a circular water fountain surrounded by 10 flagpoles and a short granite wall. The flags of the seven branches of the military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Air Force National Guard – fly from 25-foot poles while the New Jersey State flag and Essex County flag fly from 30-foot poles and the American flag flies from a 35-foot pole at the center of the display. At the base of each flag pole on the granite wall is the official agency or government seal.