Vietnam Veteran Jan F. Cook Named 2019 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal

Vietnam Veteran Jan F. Cook will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2019 Memorial Day parade in the Borough of Roselle Park.

Mr. Cook was born in 1952 and was raised and educated in Elizabeth, New Jersey. While attending Roosevelt High School in Elizabeth, he entered the U.S. Military in 1969 at age 17. After his training at Fort Dix, Mr. Cook attended Jump School Wiesbaden in Germany. He was assigned to the 1/509 Airborn Infantry Brigades until 1975. He was reinstated in 1979 with the 50th Armored Division Discom Class Five. During his service, Mr. Cook was decorated with numerous Awards and Medals.

After 31 years of serving his country, he left the service as E-7 in 1999 and entered into the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve.)

Upon returning, Mr. Cook became a Pass Commander and a life member with American Legion Post No. 60 of Roselle Park, and with the Downtown Veterans Association of Elizabeth. He is also a member of VFW 7363 of Clark, New Jersey.

Mr. Cook is married to his beautiful wife Mary of 38 years and was blessed with two boys Tommy and Frankie.

Mr. Cook retired from Wakefern Food Corporation in 1999 and has been a resident of Linden, New Jersey since 1984. He enjoys his free time involved in several interests and spends time with his friends at the Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library and American Legion Post No. 60.

The Borough’s parade assembly will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Sherman Elementary School and will step off at 10:00 a.m. from the school on East Grant Avenue, marching toward Chestnut Street.

Marching will pause for 3 minutes for each group to display their talent and achievements at the viewing stand in front of the Methodist Church on Chestnut Street and end at the Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library for the annual Memorial Day service.

After the service, everyone is invited to the Town Picnic at the Casano Community Center (free food and refreshments) hosted by the Borough.

Mayor Signorello and the Borough Council honor the memories and service of veterans of all wars and invite everyone to attend the parade and service.

If an organization or group would like to march in the parade, or requires more information, please contact Rupen Shah at 908-245-0666.

St. Michael Church will host its third annual Memorial Day Parish Picnic, Monday, May 27, 12:00-3:00 p.m. following the township memorial service. The picnic will take place alongside the church on Miln Street. There will be food, music, games, crafts, and fun for all ages!

There will also be a collection for Operation Chillout at the picnic.

ROSELLE PARK TO HOST VETERANS’ DAY SERVICE

The Borough of Roselle Park will host its salute to veterans of the United States Armed Forces on Monday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. Mayor Sig and the Borough Council invite everyone to join together to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces, living or deceased, and current service members with any length of military service that is active duty, reserve component, or National Guard with any U.S. military branch.

The Borough’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place in the front of Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library located at 404 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park.

Casano Community Center will provide free bus service to Roselle Park senior citizens. Residents must call on Friday to arrange for transportation. For more information, please call Casano Community Center at 908-245-0666.

A drive-up food distribution for Union County residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be held on Thursday, July 23, beginning at 9 a.m. at Kean University. Sponsored and coordinated by the County of Union and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the food distribution will be first-come, first-served and no registration is required.

Kean University is located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. The distribution will take place in the parking lot located at the intersection of North and Morris avenues.

The Cranford United Methodist Church will hold a drive-thru food collection in their parking lot on Saturday, July 25 between 10 am and 2 pm. Cars will pull up and volunteers will remove the non-perishable food donations from the trunk.

The food distribution will begin at 9 am and is open to all Union County residents.

Food will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis and residents must arrive in cars. Walk-ups will not be accommodated.

Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indicate how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. Recipients will receive an emergency box of non-perishable items and fresh produce, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per vehicle.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. All drive-up recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up at all times, otherwise, masks are required. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.

The emergency drive-up and walk-up food distribution for Union County residents to aid those affected by COVID-19 originally scheduled for Saturday, December 5^th, has been rescheduled due to weather concerns. The distribution will now be held Sunday, December 6, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Warinanco Park, located in Roselle. The distribution will take place at the Skating Rink located within the park and residents should use the Park Avenue entrance.

The food distribution is open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required. The event will take place rain or shine.

The food distribution is being coordinated by the County of Union with support from Village Super Market and Gargiulo Produce.

“Food distributions have become a lifeline for our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This combination drive-up and walk-up distribution allow those in Union County to pick up food even if they don’t have access to a car.”

“During this time as residents face unprecedented levels of unemployment, housing issues, and food insecurity, we continue to work to provide everyone with support,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “We thank the Village Super Market for their partnership in this effort.”

Residents wishing to pick up food can arrive in a vehicle or walk-up to the distribution site.

Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indicate how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. Recipients will receive an emergency box of non-perishable items and fresh produce, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per vehicle or walk-up.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. All drive-up recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up at all times, otherwise, masks are required. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.

Walk-up recipients must wear masks at all times and maintain social distance.  Walk-up recipients should bring a cart or be able to carry several food bags at the walk-up area.

For questions and more information, residents may call the UCDHS Director’s Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

To learn more about the Village Super Market, visit https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com/.

To learn more about Gargiulo Produce, visit http://www.gargiuloproduce.com.

Cranford United Methodist Church will host its next Drive-Thru Food Collection event on Saturday, May 8th from 10 am to 2 pm in the church’s parking lot. Many of our neighbors are still struggling to keep food on the table.

Place your bags of non-perishable food in your trunk, drive up, pop your trunk and volunteers will remove them, no contact needed! Your food donations will be delivered to Cranford Family Care, St. Joseph’s Social Services, and other local organizations serving families in need.

The church’s parking lot is next to the Cranford Library, 201 Lincoln Ave East.

Here are examples of especially needed items: Cooking oil, tuna, boxed milk, spices, salt, pepper, tea and coffee, sugar, flour, crackers, soup, cereal, canned vegetables, rice (one or two pounds), cake mix, and frosting, dish detergent, soap and paper goods.

Also needed: fresh produce, for example, apples, onions, potatoes, and other hardy fresh produce.

Can’t make that date? There are bins placed outside the entrance to the church off of the parking lot where donations can be dropped any time, 24/7.

Last month, several vans full to the brim with food were delivered to Cranford Family Care and St. Joseph’s and we thank you for helping make it happen!

Please spread the word by letting your neighbors know about this event.