Event Recap: Honoring Our Veterans 2025

By Jennifer Ersalesi

Photo credits: Kelly Lancaster and Jennifer Ersalesi

Rutherford residents, organizations, and the governing body pay tribute to our Borough's veterans who have served or are currently serving in the military in various ways. This past Saturday, May 17th, Rutherford Little League and active community member and wife of a serviceman, Kelly Lancaster, organized a special ceremony for Veterans at the Little League field.

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem sung by members of the RHS choir. After the National Anthem, current veterans and those veterans who are no longer with us were recognized with these words, "While we are proud and honored to have veterans who have served our country here with us today, we want to remember the countless Americans who gave their lives in defense of our freedom.  

As we approach Memorial Day, we remember the men and women of our country, some of whom may have played on this field and called Rutherford home, who joined the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country."

These military men and women were recognized as they stood on the field with their families and the two Little League teams who were there to play the next game (PBA and Masons):

• Charles Binder, Coast Guard

• Craig Auriemma, Army

• Bob Lyons, Army

• Chris Gioia, Navy

• James Carter, Coast Guard

• Leyla Kuznia, Army

• Matt Kuznia, Army

• Bryan Carter, Coast Guard

• Charles Gunn, Army

• John Mannion, Air Force

• Vin Duda, Navy

• John Vlanzy, Army

• William Ruggiero, Army

• John Connallon, Army

• Tom Lancaster, Marines

• James DeLuise, Navy

• D. Shane Knisley, Navy

• Robert T. Havel, Air Force

• John J. Heflich, Army

• Stuart Madison, Marines

• Craig Capoano, Coast Guard

Army Veteran William Ruggiero, grandfather of Artie Byrne, threw out the first pitch. Following the ceremony, veterans were invited to lunch in the clubhouse, complimentary of Annamaria's Deli (owned by Rutherford resident Annamaria Adinolfi).