In peace with honors

BY GARY BAND
SPARTA – Soon after Veterans Day, a sacred space was created in Sparta, a final resting place for those who served the United States in war and peace. On Nov. 15, with more than 300 people in attendance, a moving ceremony was held to recognize those who made the mission of creating the Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery possible.

Located a quarter mile from Sussex County Technical School, this hallowed ground will be able to accommodate more than 14,000 plots to properly inter veterans and their spouses.

The man behind this considerable mission is John Harrigan. A Vietnam veteran and a resident of Vernon for the past 28 years, Harrigan first conceived of the idea in 2008 after visiting a similar space with his wife in Orange County.

Many men and women on hand for the ceremony were extremely grateful to Harrigan for what he and others did to make this idea of creating a mini Arlington in Sussex County a reality.

Bob Nicholson of Sparta, who served in the National Guard from 1948-49, the Navy from 1951-55, and worked as a cemetery director in Oak Ridge, was one of them.

“To give recognition to our veterans in this way is absolutely paramount,” he said. “I’m proud to live here and know that this cemetery will be located in our geographic area.”

Another grateful veteran is retired Judge Fred Weber of Fredon, who served in WWII from 1943-48. “It’s a great thing to now have a veteran’s cemetery in Sussex County,” he said.

John Regan of Hampton agrees. “We’ve all got to go somewhere, but to have a place like this here is important for family members to be able to visit.”

Otherwise, the closest veterans cemetery is in Wrightstown, located in the central part of the state. He gives considerable credit to Harrigan for the work he did, along with Ted Andrews, who was unable to be at the ceremony.

“People I don’t even know have come up and given me a hug or kiss, saying ‘thank you,’ ‘God bless you’,” said Harrigan.

The work to find, obtain and create the cemetery began with an initial visit by Harrigan to the Freeholder Board seven years ago. And after a great deal of persistence, patience and paperwork, the 66 acres of land was sold by the county for $1 in 2014 to create the non-profit cemetery. It will be run by an eight-member volunteer board of directors and eventually employ an administrator.

The county also contributed $50,000 to start the mandatory preservation and maintenance fund. Another $100,000 was raised, half of which went to pay for the work to clear and grade the land, which began in May of 2015. It continued through the fall and much remains to be done.

An arch, with the words “All Gave Some, Some Gave All, ” etched into it, along with a stone wall will soon be built. At some point in the future, a welcome center/office space will be constructed once funds are generated from sales of plots, which will cost $650 for a casket, $350 for ashes, fifteen percent of which is required to go into the preservation and maintenance fund.

Harrigan, 68, said he never knew how much it would take to make his idea a reality. “24/7” he said when asked how many hours he put in per week since his first visit to the Freeholder board. “Even when I slept I thought about it.”

Now retired from the NYC Transit Department, he is one of an eight-member board that will oversee operations of the cemetery.

“I’m just so grateful for all the support we’ve received from the community,” he said. “It’s something that had to be done and I was just in the right place at the right time.” In addition to the contributions and fundraisers from individuals and organizations across the county such as Sussex Vo-Tech, VFWs, American Legions and Elks Clubs, auxiliaries and Daughters of the American Revolution, Harrigan is especially thankful to six people in particular, without whom he said this project would not have been possible.

They are Susan and Rick Gardell, who did the survey work on the land; attorneys Kevin Kelly and Megan Ward; and excavators Mark and Michelle DeVenzia, owners of Mulch Concepts in Lafayette.

“They did not charge one penny,” Harrigan said. “We could not have done it without them.” In order to thank them for generations to come, three street signs bearing their names will be placed around the cemetery. Harrigan also thanks Owen Martin for the work he did.

Calls have started coming in from funeral directors and individuals who want to buy plots.

“It’s still a work in progress,” Harrigan said. He expects that the arch and all the landscaping will be done by the spring or summer.

From start to finish, Harrigan has just taken it one step at a time, trying not to look too far beyond the immediate task at hand. “You just have to be determined, believe in what you’re doing and not give up.”

Emceed by Freeholder Director Phil Crabb, speakers at the ceremony included Sen. Steve Oroho, who said, “I’m honored to have played a small part in this. John Harrigan is an inspiration to us all. He showed us what true community spirit is all about.”

Assemblyman Parker Space, Sheriff Michael Strada, Freeholder Richard Vohden, County Clerk Jeff Parrot, and Sparta Mayor Jerry Murphy also spoke.

“It is incumbent upon us to provide for our veterans now and forever,” Murphy said.

As part of the invocation, Monsignor John Boland paraphrased President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. “The world will little note nor long remember what we say here. But we can never forget what those who will be buried here did for our country.”