Patersonians gathered in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on Union Avenue on Tuesday morning to commemorate the 33 fallen heroes who died in action while valiantly serving their country in Vietnam.

Political figures including Jeffery Jones, the mayor of Paterson; Andre Sayegh, the 6th Ward councilman; Richard Berdnik, the Passaic County Sheriff; William J. Pascrell, the third, a political strategist; all delivered speeches expressing great gratitude to those who served and gave their lives. Vietnam veterans, like our very own, Miguel De Jesus, were also honored at the event.

It was not just an event for adults; students from Passaic County Technical Institute, who redesigned the park’s sign, were also in attendance observing the 28th commemoration. It was in 1985 that the park was designated to honor Vietnam veterans.

Mr Berdnik, during his speech, reassured veterans that what came to pass a week ago, desecration of the park by vandals, would never happen again; he announced the installation of cameras at the park to protect it from vandalism and theft. Mr Berdnik, the county sheriff, said those who are caught attempting mischief in the park will face the full extent of the law.

All attendees, more than 100 people, were grateful to the veterans who served and especially obliged to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.