MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Veterans Valor, together with the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and the Morris County Park Commission, held a tree-planting ceremony Thursday at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum to mark the creation of The Healing Garden of Morris, a public space designed to honor veterans and offer a place for reflection, connection and renewal.
“Morris County is honored to support this project, which will help bring peace and healing to our veterans,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw.
U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran Tom Miller shared emotional remarks about the loss of his radio partner, Lance Cpl. Jack Swender, who was killed on Dec. 18, 1965, during Operation Harvest Moon. Miller, who was severely wounded in the attack and lost an eye, placed a cup of soil from Ky Phu—the Vietnamese village where the assault occurred—around the newly planted tree.
Other representatives from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Morristown Medical Center, the Morris County Park Commission, local Rotary Clubs and VFW posts, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 59 of Morristown and the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Athletic League also added soil, symbolizing a shared commitment to honoring and supporting veterans.
The ceremony included a blessing by Maj. Aaron Oliver, a U.S. Army veteran and chaplain, and remarks from State Sen. Anthony Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, and Park Commission Executive Director Dave Helmer. Sheriff James Gannon, along with staff from the county’s Veterans Services Office and the Office of Planning and Preservation, also attended.
Will Draper, executive director of Veterans Valor, spoke about the mission behind the Healing Garden and the Disarm PTSD campaign, emphasizing the effort to connect veterans with community and compassionate support as they navigate the challenges of deployment and transition to civilian life.
The ceremony follows a formal agreement signed Oct. 3 establishing the garden at the arboretum.
More information about the project and ways to contribute is available at VeteransValorofNJ.org.
