East Orange World War II Memorial, East Orange, NJ
This tablet in front of the western wing of East Orange, New Jersey's City Hall pays tribute to the East Orange residents who served in World War II.
It's sadly ironic that this monument commemorates an American victory in a foreign war, because anyone who's been to East Orange - even those of us who love old cities like East Orange - would have to conclude that it looks like World War II had been fought here (and in other old American towns) rather than in Dresden or Rotterdam. Main Street is pockmarked with abandoned storefronts and vacant lots, and several houses on nearby streets are boarded up.
There's enough pride in this city, though, to keep it going and help it overcome the blows it has sustained in the past few decades. If World War II showed how Americans could bounce back, East Orange's residents have the kind of determination to bring the city back - Mayor Bob Bowser should be called Bob Booster, because he promotes East Orange so tenaciously - that would make or would have made those who fought and/or died for their city and their country proud.
East Orange World War II Memorial, East Orange, NJ
This tablet in front of the western wing of East Orange, New Jersey's City Hall pays tribute to the East Orange residents who served in World War II.
It's sadly ironic that this monument commemorates an American victory in a foreign war, because anyone who's been to East Orange - even those of us who love old cities like East Orange - would have to conclude that it looks like World War II had been fought here (and in other old American towns) rather than in Dresden or Rotterdam. Main Street is pockmarked with abandoned storefronts and vacant lots, and several houses on nearby streets are boarded up.
There's enough pride in this city, though, to keep it going and help it overcome the blows it has sustained in the past few decades. If World War II showed how Americans could bounce back, East Orange's residents have the kind of determination to bring the city back - Mayor Bob Bowser should be called Bob Booster, because he promotes East Orange so tenaciously - that would make or would have made those who fought and/or died for their city and their country proud.