Bellmawr War Memorial Dedicated on Veterans Day % %

The new Bellmawr War Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day – November 11, 2017. Located at 1040 Creek Road (across from Larc School) the memorial includes water features, eight benches, and a gazebo dedicated to groups and individuals. Sections of the memorial will be designed to specifically honor members of each branch of the military. The expansion of the park was made possible in part by a $25,000 Camden County Recreational Facility Enhancement grant presented to Bellmawr by the Freeholder Board.

Joe Lee from VFW 9563 led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mike Hackett of VFW 7410 said: “As a veteran and member of VFW post 7410: “I would like to thank the Borough of Bellmawr and the Borough employees for the work to make this monument possible.”

Pastor Vincent Kovlak of Bellmawr Baptist Church led a moment of prayer.

Mayor Frank Filipek said the project was all about teamwork and added: “It was a long time coming… We finally got something for the Veterans.”

Councilman Ray Bider stated that the memorial is not just for the deceased, but it is also for the living — for the veterans of the past, present, and future.

Bider asked park visitors “to reflect on what service means to your life and the nation.”

Acknowledging former Bellmawr Councilman David Duncan, who passed away on September 4, 2015, Bider said that the park would not have materialized without Duncan’s ambition and foresight.

Duncan had an idea to create a memorial park where all veterans could be honored for the service that they gave to this country, Bider said.

Freeholder Bill Moen, who is also liaison to the Camden County Office of Veteran Affairs, recalled that his father served in the Marines and grew up on Bergen Avenue. He presented Councilman Bider with a Proclamation. “It is my honor to represent and oversee the care for the 30,000 veterans that call Camden County home,” Moen said.