Local war monument restoration soldiers on Walk of honor to honor those who served in both war and peace times BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Township veterans can have their name placed on a brick Cambridge paver at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which is at the intersection of Main and Berry streets. "This is part of our ongoing efforts to restore and beautify the monument," said Frank LaPenta, chairman of the Woodbridge Township Historical Association Monument Committee. The committee is giving township veterans, who have lived for at least a year in the township, an opportunity to have their names and service time etched in stone as part of a Walk of Honor at the Soldiers and Sailors monument. LaPenta said a man or woman who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Merchant Marines from the American Revolution to the present day, during war or peacetime is eligible. The Walk of Honor, which will replace the grass at the monument, will give recognition to all from Woodbridge who choose to take part in this permanent display. In September 2006, the Historical Association Monument Committee started raising funds to restore the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which had not been restored since it was erected in 1911. The monument stands on an island in the middle of the road at the intersection of Main and Berry streets. The island is supported and surrounded by a concreteretaining wall. "The retaining wall was crumbling and it needed major repairs," said LaPenta. "In 2005, the late Mayor Frank G. Pelzman helped us replace the wall." The committee raised $27,000. "We have since cleaned the monument, which cost $17,000 and purchased the additional stones, which cost $9,000 to add the wars that are missing," said LaPenta. The historical association will now be able to add World War II to the Afghanistan/Iraq War. Back in 1911, the citizens of Woodbridge raised enough money to build the memorial by holding tag sales, bake sales, bazaars and soliciting donations. The monument was completed and formally dedicated in 1916 with a celebration. "The reason for the delay was the beginning of World War I," said LaPenta. "The monument represents the servicemen and women who made sacrifices in the time of war and also those who have been left behind. The last war commemorated on the monument was placed there 75 years ago when the date of the first World War was added." Some historical accounts say the members of the Kingwood Athletic Association initiated the movement to construct the monument in 1904. Other accounts pinpoint Lt. William C. Berry, who died in Williamsburg, Va., in 1862. Another account names John M. Sutton. Sutton was reported to have been a member of the Company H, 5th New Jersey Volunteers during the Civil War. "His responsibility was to save the regimental colors during the battles of Chancellorville and Gettysburg," said Frank's son Bruce LaPenta. "The saving of the colors is said to be illustrated by the Civil War soldier reaching for his saber and clutching the flag. The face on the monument is thought to be that of Mr. Sutton." LaPenta said their initial intent was to clean the statue and add additional stones. "Now that the monument is clean, we can see that the hair of the soldier is curly, his hand is on the sword, the flag is encased, which either meant it was at a time of sundown or inclement weather, and the soldier was a flag bearer," he said. "Before the cleaning, you couldn't notice any of the details because over the years the statue has turned into a bronze color." The committee wishes to raise additional funds to purchase and install an aluminum flagpole with internal ropes and mechanism to replace the original 90- year-old wooden flagpole that had to be removed several years ago due to deterioration. The committee also wishes to refurbish the cannon that is part of the memorial. The Disabled Veterans group has adopted the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to help maintain the area. For further information on honoring a Woodbridge Veteran with a personalized commemorative brick Cambridge paver and an application, send a stamped selfaddressed legal size envelope to HAWT Monument Committee, 6 Baker St., Iselin, New Jersey 08830. People wishing to donate to the monument fund can contact or send donations to Frank LaPenta, 6 Baker St., Iselin, NJ 08830, or call Frank at (732) 634-2832.