WHEREAS, Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service; and

WHEREAS, Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery and by 1890 was recognized by all of the northern states and now is celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May; and

WHEREAS, on May 30, 1919, the Mayor and Council of Borough of Hasbrouck Heights opened and dedicated Memorial Park at the corner of Terrace and Passaic Avenues and unveiled a Memorial Tablet to honor "persons who served in the World War" being one of the first towns in the State of New Jersey, if not the first, to erect and dedicate a permanent monument to its heroes of World War I; and

WHEREAS, Veterans Memorial Park continues to be a place of remembrance and honor for those veterans who served during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, and whose names have been placed in a Veterans Memorial Walkway which was dedicated on June 14, 2003 to honor those present or former borough members, living and deceased, who have served in all branches of service; and

WHEREAS, Memorial Day 2009 marks the 90^th Anniversary of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights Memorial Park and the Memorial Tablet;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights, State of New Jersey, United States of America, extend our heartfelt appreciation to all veterans whose names are recorded in Veterans Memorial Park and to all those who have fought in the past and to those who are fighting today to maintain our rights and freedom; and