The 2014 Memorial Day Service at St. James' Church in Upper Montclair was a very special event.
“I don’t remember such a moving ceremony at St. James',” said parishioner, Ruth Gardner of Montclair, “And I’ve been a member here for over 50 years.”
The service began with John Philip Sousa’s rousing Liberty Bell March, followed by several moving patriotic hymns dedicated to those men and women, parishioners of St. James', who served in and in some cases gave their lives for their country.
St. James' is especially connected to World War I. The Memorial Bell Tower, which is a cornerstone of the Upper Montclair community, was built in 1919 in recognition of the 93 men and women of the parish who served in this “Great War.” The 93 names are inscribed in a plaque in the tower and the cornerstone at the base of the tower is engraved “For God and Country.” The seven men who died, including Captain George S. Butcher, are remembered with their names inscribed on seven of the eleven bells in the tower.
Captain Butcher, who served in the United States Army, was killed in action near Verdun, France on October 27, 1918. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, by order of the President of the United States, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 111th Machine Gun Battalion, 29th Division. A plaque is dedicated in his memory on the Parish House wall.
Sunday’s service concluded on the front lawn of the church with a reading of the names of the seven fallen members of the parish, and flags placed in front of small white crosses lining the front of the church. Lt. Philip Russo, son of St. James’ Senior Warden Cole Russo and his wife Barbara, read the Citation from the President of the United States, authorized by Act of Congress on July 9, 1918. Taps was played, and the new American flag, along with the Episcopal flag, was raised above the tower, to fly in perpetuity, as reminders to us all, of those men and women who honorably served and continue to serve their country.
“What a special service this was! Remembering those members of St. James who served so many years ago and learning about Captain Butcher’s bravery was very moving. I hope we commemorate this day every year,” remarked Ruth Gardner. John Rollo, a Vestryman of St James. echoed her sentiments, “I found the service and dedication very thought-provoking and inspirational.”
Bill Kopp, another dedicated parishioner who volunteered to raise the flags over the tower, concluded, “Having a close friend killed in Viet Nam at 19 caused me to have deeper respect and reflection on those who volunteered to ‘end all wars’ and all of those soldiers who gave their lives. While this wasn’t their intention, they did it and that allows us to have the freedom we have today. I am honored to have been a part of this service.”
