Two More Roads to be Named for Fallen Heroes in November

Efforts by the American Veterans Association of Washington Township (AVAWT) to honor three Long Valley natives killed while serving America are finally coming to fruition.

The proposal to name three roads in the township, both public and privately owned, was approved by the Washington Township Committee earlier this year after the group of veterans brought it to the governing body in November 2012.

James “Jamie” Smith, Vincent E. Fields, and John L. Lindaberry, all of Washington Township, died in action as members of the military.

A road at Rock Spring Park, leading to the Senior Center, was named in honor of Smith during a Memorial Day ceremony in 2013. An Army Cpl., Smith died in combat in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993.

Fields, a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, was killed in action in Iwo Jima on March 6, 1945, and has a Purple Heart Decree. Fields was just 23-years-old. The entryway into Zion Lutheran Church will be renamed in honor of Fields. A dedication ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 at the church.

Lindaberry joined the Army after graduating West Morris Central in 1966. At just 19-years-old, Lindaberry was killed in action on Nov. 16, 1967 in Vietnam. A dedication ceremony to name the entryway to Califon Road Cemetery after Lindaberry will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the corner of Pleasant Grove and Califon Road.

“These dedications, worked on for several years by our post, and put into the record by our Township Committee last year by unanimous vote, are a fitting tribute to the sacrifice of our three heroes,” said AVAWT Adjutant Forrest Burgener.

All residents are invited to the ceremonies in November.