Published 3:20pm WILMINGTON, DE - On Monday, Amtrak introduced their newest locomotive which is decorated in Red, White and Blue, and is adorned with a bright gold bow which reads "Amtrak's Railroad Salutes Our Veterans." The engine will operate along the Northeast Corridor, and is sure to catch the sight of northern New Jersey train enthusiasts. Presently, 21% of Amtrak's workers are Veterans and the company is actively recruiting former soldiers to fill their engineer, mechanics and maintenance worker posts. Amtrak's goal is to have Veterans make up 25% of their workforce by the end of this year. Amtrak Employment Those interested in keeping updated on Amtrak's employment offerings and job fairs, may their email list online here. Veteran's Discounts All Vets are offered 15% Amtrak discounts. More information is available online here. Eagle Scout Daniel Sanchez of Caldwell Troop 3 Dedicates Roseland Veterans Monument on Memorial Day6/17/2015
Published 4:10pm ![]() ROSELAND, NJ - On Memorial Day, Caldwell’s Boy Scout Troop 3 participated in the dedication of a stone memorial which was created by Eagle Scout Daniel Sanchez, of Roseland. To commemorate the occasion, members of the Roseland governing body were in attendance, as well as volunteers from the Roseland Fire Department, Roseland First Aid Squad and officers from the Borough's Police Department. The troop was joined by family, friends and residents along with their mentors, Roseland residents, Scoutmaster Jerry Groome and Assistant Scoutmaster, Bill Styskal. Sanchez, 17, is a member of the West Essex High School Class of 2015. The monument joins other historical markers dedicated to Veterans in front of the Old Boro Hall; it reads: A Tribute from Roseland ![]() Troop 3 Troop 3, Caldwell, is an official Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop under the Northern New Jersey Council. It was established in 1917 and currently holds its meeting at the Caldwell United Methodist Church. On hand for the occasion were Dr. Michael Testa, the Chaplin of the Caldwell VFW Post, and Vivian Rodeffer, Pastor of Caldwell United Methodist Church; both offered prayers and inspirational thoughts. Styskal addressed the Troop 3 members and gathered audience with the following words: "Welcome to today’s ceremony and thank you for attending. My name is Bill Styskal and I’m the Assistant Scout Master of Caldwell Troop 3. I along with Scout Master Jerry Groome and the Scout Executive Board James Petrarca, Frank Alexander, Pete Levine, Tom Iandiorio, Jerry Fahey, and Tim Zyla are honored to be here today on such an important occasion. We’re here today to honor our service members and to remember the sacrifices they have made in honor of duty, honor, and country. ![]() Eagle Scouts Styskal explained that the Caldwell troop takes a “very aggressive approach” to getting each of their members to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. “We are very successful at getting our kids to the Eagle level,” ![]() Most of the Troop 3 scouts start at the earliest level of Cub Scouts, named Tiger Scouts, usually in the first grade. By fifth grade, they transition from Cubs to Boys Scouts in an official “Bridge Ceremony.” Those older scouts then work to reach Eagle Scout ranking and by age 18, all scouts are considered adults at which time many of them go on to assist with the scouting program. In 2012, about seven percent of all Boy Scouts attained the level of Eagle Scout. “I’m not sure what percent of our scouts Roseland resident and retired Army Sergeant Michael Bottenger showed his appreciation for Troops 3's memorial. To express his feelings, Boettinger quoted, "We were all so grateful for everyone coming out to view the Further Information
Troop 3 has scout members from towns throughout West Essex. If anyone is interested in joining the troop, they should contact Assistant Scoutmaster Bill Styskal by email at wstyskal@aol.com.
Published 8:04pm WEST CALDWELL, NJ - A new development is coming to West Caldwell and the road it is built on, off of Clinton Road, is known as "McNish Way." Saturday, members of the James Caldwell American Legion Post 185 Color Guard joined West Caldwell Mayor Joe Tempesta, Jr. in honoring Vietnam War Specialist James R. ”Ronnie” McNish, of West Caldwell, by dedicating a street named in his honor. McNish was a member of the James Caldwell Class of 1965. ![]() From 1968 to 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War, 19-years old McNish served as a crew chief of an ambulance helicopter in the United States Army 45th Medical Company . On the night of Feb. 5, 1969, he and three other men were killed when their UH-1H was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade while hovering for a night hoist medevac about eight miles southeast of Xuan Loc. ![]() The army unit was on their third trip into hostile territory to pick up wounded soldiers. They nicknamed the helicopter they flew in the "Red Baron;" it was always unarmed and marked with the red cross denoting medical aid. Killed in action along with McNish were:
![]() According to a friend of the family, Elaine Waters Spaetti, Ronnie and his father "Speedy McNish" were thrill motorcycle riders who performed in a Motordrome as part of a show which toured the US. "They performed in their Motordrome, ![]() McNish was living in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the time of his military service. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously and his remains are interred in the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida. |