The first Flag Day ceremony in Braddock Park was held on Tuesday, June 14. The event was sponsored jointly by the municipalities of North Bergen, Guttenberg, and West New York.
Officials from throughout the region attended the event, where old, damaged, or unserviceable flags were ceremonially disposed of by the traditional burning. The ceremony marked a new tradition across North Hudson.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in Miller Stadium in West New York, preceded by a parade from North Bergen. Going forward, the annual Flag Day ceremony will remain in North Bergen, on the field in Braddock Park.
Hudson County Commissioner Anthony Vainieri presided over the event, with brief remarks from North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt, and West New York Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez, along with Commissioner and armed forces veteran Julio Marenco.
Also attended the event were Assemblypersons Angelica Jimenez and Pedro Mejia, as well as all the North Bergen township commissioners, Township Administrator Janet Castro, Police Chief Peter Fasilis, EMS Chief Dave Prina, OEM Coordinator Dave Ricigliano, NHRFR Executive Director Michael DeOrio, and many other local and regional officials.
Pastor Steven Germoso of the Grove Reformed Church blessed the proceedings, followed by North Bergen music teacher Mariana Gomez singing her version of the National Anthem. The North Bergen High School Band contributed patriotic songs and the event concluded with local veterans officiating over the ceremonial burning of retired U.S. flags.
“It was a beautiful ceremony to honor our American Flag and retire flags that are no longer suitable for service,” Sacco said after the event.
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