"Memorial Monument"

Town Hall is perhaps the most recognizable building in North Bergen. Built around the turn of the 20th century, it has been the origin of ever major decision the town has made and has even influenced events through the county as well as the state. Aside from the building's political history, it is architecturally unique among the buildings of North Bergen being a Palazzo style design. However unique the building is, there are two cannons outside that overshadow a nearly century-old monument hidden among the landscaping. The monument itself has been outside of Town Hall since May 31st 1920. The names on it have been long forgotten by residents of the town but every Memorial Day attention is brought to the sacrifice they made during the war to end all wars. 

North Bergen Town Hall
Courtesy of the Town of North Bergen

On May 31st, 1920 the town of North Bergen held an unveiling and dedication ceremony to those citizens that answered the call of duty during Word War I. The monuments dedication was a day of pomp and grandeur. An important factor to remember is that Memorial Day has always been celebrated in town. Residents always remembered those who served in the wars of the past, most famously the American Civil War and the often overlooked, Spanish American War. Men from North Bergen served in both of these wars and those who still lived in town were in attendance that day as well. 

The Jersey Journal Saturday Evening May 29, 1920

Artwork courtesy of the Journey Journal Archives

The crowd that gathered outside of Town Hall were welcomed by the North Bergen Police Band. The band played patriotic anthems until the ceremony began. The ceremony was opened by the North Bergen Unit of the Women's Council of National Defense. A brief speech was made and the flag was raised, followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner which all in attendance joined. Afterward the crowd was lead in prayer by Reverend E.W. Anderson of the Mission of Transfiguration (North Bergen) and addressed by the Honorable Judge F.H. McCanley. The North Bergen Schools Children's Choir sang "We Are Tenting To-Night," a Civil War era ballad written by New Hampshire native Walter Kittredge,

Chorus:

Many are the hearts that are weary tonight

Wishing for the war to cease

Many are the hearts that are looking for the right

To see the dawn of peace

Tenting tonight, tenting tonight, tenting on the old camp ground

verses:

We're tenting tonight on the old camp ground

Give us a song to cheer

Our weary hearts, a song of home

And friends we love so dear

(chorus)

We've been tenting tonight on the old camp ground

Thinking of days gone by

Of the loved ones at home that gave us the hand

And the tear that said "Goodbye"

(chorus)

We are tired of war on the old camp ground

Many are dead and gone

Of the brave and true who've left their homes

Others been wounded long

(chorus)

We've been fighting today on the old camp ground

Many are lying near

Some are dead and some are dying

Many are in tears

(chorus)

After the song, Reverend Father W.P. Brennan addressed the crowd and offered a prayer and blessing of those listed on the monument. The Children's Choir returned this time singing another Civil War era classic, "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Those in attendance also heard from John J. Eagan. Born in Hoboken, Eagan lived throughout Hudson County and was a U.S. House Representative from New Jersey's 11th District. Again, Reverend Anderson took the stage to speak to the residents. He then reintroduced the Choir as they sang "Memorial Day." As the song came to an end, Mayor James Nolan spoke on behalf of the town before unveiling the new monument.

North Bergen WWI Memorial

Courtesy of The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission

The following is a list of men and woman from North Bergen that served during WWI.

Hugo Adler*

Charles George Arnold*

Emil Bachara

Edwin Joseph Brickner

Louis J. Bruttell*

Albert William Butera*

Louis Chapman*

Anna G. Clements

Clarence Albert Clerke

Alton William Cobb*

James Corse

Lawrence John Dippold

August George Galowitch*

Baptisto Giordano*

Louis Graff (William Hill)*

Joseph Nicholas Kerber*

Albert Korten*

Stanley Kowel

Edward Albert Krug*

Louis Kwiskey

Edward Joseph McDowell*

Henry Christian Meierdierck*

William Francis O'Connell

Hjahmar Emeil Peterson*

Giovanni Picone*

John Sherman Porter

Anthony Quadre

Albert Alexander Samuelson

Christopher Schumacher

Eugene Charles Sullivan

Gustave Walter Theis*

Charles Thompson*

John Arthur Tyack*

August Wagner

Charles L. Walker*

Thomas Henry Woodruff

William Andrew Wykman

* denotes death
The full article can be seen here

With the statue now unveiled and these North Bergenities now etched in the towns collective history, the Choir sang "America" to a jubilant yet mournful audience. Reverend Father Brennan closed the ceremony with a blessing of the monument, those on it, their families and their souls. The North Bergen Police Band then played "Taps" as the flag was lowered to half staff over the monument, while a wreath was laid by the American War Mothers of New Jersey.

Courtesy for Ron Skokandich and Patrick Cullen

Today, North Bergen's World War I Monument rests as a reminder of time when the world tried to heal. It is a monument passed on a daily basis by thousands of people. A monument that has witnessed countless flag raising's and other events. It has seen the office of the mayor change fourteen times. It has seen the township grow and develop. The names of the monument and the names of those on every other monument gave us not only as resident of North Bergen, but as Americans to grow and prosper. Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer, but perhaps this year before heading off to whatever festivities it is you have planned, remember the true meaning of Memorial Day and the sacrifice that millions of Americans have made to ensure our liberties are secured.