Hundreds Gather To Pray, Honor, Memorialize Military

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By Cheryl Conway

Close to 350 people gathered at the All Veterans Memorial Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, May 30, to honor military men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces. 

The 45-minute ceremony was held at the All Veterans Memorial in Budd Lake at 11:15 a.m. Through prayer, song, raising of the flags, speeches, placement of memorial wreaths and flowers, moment of silence, paver dedication and playing of “Taps,” the community came together on this breezy, hot day to mourn and remember military personnel who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect American freedom.

 “I was very pleased to see so many people take the time and make the effort to pay their respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live free,” says Charlie Wood Uhrmann, founder of the AVM. 

Prior to the ceremony, at 10:30 a.m., a dedication of the final element at the AVM was held to unveil the new prayer garden- The Reflection Sanctum. While the entire AVM is a memorial to honor, remember, memorialize and educate – visitors now have a dedicated, sacred area at the site to pray and reflect.

Dedication of the new prayer garden was led by Rev. Karen Gazzillo, who gave the sermon: Sacrifice, Grief and Healing during the dedication of the Reflection Sanctum.

In a special blessing, Gazzillo says “We ask for a special blessing on this Reflection Sanctum as a spiritual retreat so we can honestly deal with our feelings and heartache on the loss of our loved ones. To honor our loved ones in a powerful way by bringing healing and comfort in their memory.

“We thank you for this establishment, for this Reflection Sanctum to heal our body in mind and in spirt,” says Gazzillo.

She says the sanctum is a sacred “place to meditate, to pray and to focus on sacrifice, grief and healing that we all need to cope with in our lives. Regardless of what wars our families served in, it is impossible to fully comprehend what a sacrifice it has been for all the young men and women who have served in a war. All ages, leaving their families behind and never knowing if they’d see their families again.”

She says it is also “equally unimaginable” to know “how many veterans were injured and died while fighting for our freedom;” and how many families’ lives are forever changed in order to “protect our freedom and our country.”

Gazzillo says that “when a loved one dies, there’s such a deep feeling of sadness and sorrow.”

Coping with grief over a loved one, “it takes such a long time to recover. Being patient, reaching out to loved ones and friends- we have to seek healing.”

Gazzillo went on to talk about the five phases of healing: Grief and denial; anger; bargaining; depression; and acceptance.

"We need to acknowledge and actively seek guidance,” says Gazzillo. “It’s important to ask for help; don’t shy away.  All of us need to do our part to reach out. Every single one of us is important. Everyone who has served, there’s never going to be enough words to say ‘thank you.’”

As part of the Reflection Sanctum dedication,  an honorable service paver installation was held to memorialize U.S. Army Cpl. Hayden Allen Harris of Guys, Tenn., who died on Dec. 21, 2020, at the age of 20.  Harris, an infantryman with the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Drum, joined the army in March 2019. Harris’ family attended the dedication and placed flowers at his paver.  

AVM Remembrance Day Ceremony

The Memorial Day ceremony at the AVM Ceremonial Complex commenced after the prayer garden dedication. Rolling Thunder made its grand entrance on motorcycles and raised the flags half-staff; and the Mt. Olive High School AF JROTC gave the opening processional onto the complex with Mark Noyes playing bagpipe.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Robert S. Bedell of the U.S. Air Force gave opening remarks with the history of Memorial Day, which officially began on May 30, 1868, and was known as Declaration Day, a time to set aside to recognize the “Civil War dead.” By 1890, after World War I, all northern states recognized the day and all who died in wars, and by late 1800, all communities started to recognize it, says Bedell.

In 1966, the federal government by former President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., as the official birthplace of Memorial Day as it was the first community to celebrate the day in May 5, 1866, to “recognize it and make it a tradition,” and an annual community event in which businesses close and residents visit and honor veterans’ graves.

"This tradition continues throughout our nation,” says Bedell. 

Gazzillo gave the invocation and Ret. Col. Jeanne Murphy was the keynote speaker.  Murphy is a retired army nurse with a 30-year military career with leadership positions for the U.S. Department of Defense, serving in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. Married to Centenary University President Dr. Bruce Murphy, her work has involved soldiering, community fitness and health promotion programs for elite Olympians, Paralympians to special needs populations.               

While the event was held in the morning, 3 p.m. local time nationwide is the congressionally approved national Moment of Remembrance to “reflect on sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all,” says Murphy. Observed  by Major League Baseball, NASCAR and Amtrak, “whose trains blast their whistles in unison at precisely 3 p.m.,” she says.

"But despite the parades, picnics and celebrations, Memorial Day is a somber holiday to honor all veterans who are no longer with us.” She says special focus is “honoring those killed during military service or through enemy contact” who “joined the U.S. military to be part of something greater than themselves to serve the American people.”

According to Murphy, there have been 1.3 million people, of every race and ethnicity, who have died in the U.S. while serving in the U.S. military, whether as nurses, drivers, pilots and in the line of fire.  She adds that nearly 2 million American women have served in the U.S. military.

"We see many more women buried in honor of their service,” says Murphy.

"Currently our 2.8 million service men and women make up less than one half of 1 percent of Americans,” she says. But it is the whole family who serves, she says. There have been more than one million spouses, 2 million children and millions more relatives who have sacrificed those they love.

“They represent the best that America has to offer,” says Murphy. “Gold Star parents need to be honored.”

Murphy also reported on fewer combat losses overseas, and a steep increase in military deaths at home through accidents, suicides, homicides, traumatic brain injury and environmental exposure from burned pits and toxic chemicals that are causing higher rates in cancer and cardiovascular disease. She says more post-911 veterans are dying.

With these ongoing “preventable deaths,” Murphy says, “we need to do everything we can to help veterans smoothly transition from military life to civilian life. It’s our responsibility as citizens to remember” and “pledge to support” Gold Star  parents and family members who grieve.

"Consider it honoring the unrecognized,” she says. “Commit to support them.”

Murphy says, “Never forget our veterans who understand the cost of our freedom. Their service to America is the greatest gift of all. However you celebrate the day, do it with their service in mind.”

New Pavers/Wreaths Placed 

Following Murphy’s speech, 14 families were called up to install Honorable Service pavers in recognition of their loved one’s military service. Their service was from various wars including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Global War on Terror and peacetime. Two to note is Murphy’s husband, Lt. Col. Bruce Murphy, who served 23 years in the U.S. Army during Desert Shield / Desert Storm; and Eric John Daniels Wood who has served two years in the South Carolina National Guard Air Force during the Global War on Terror. Wood is a MOHS alumnus, founding member of the AVM and son of AVM Founder Charlie Wood Uhrmann.

Wreaths were then placed by sponsoring organizations at each element of the AVM; Boy Scout and Girl Scouts presented flowers; a one-minute moment of silence “to remember sacrifice” of all wars was held; Gazzillo recited a benediction; and Rolling Thunder raised each flag circling the complex and the program.

In addition to the Reflection Sanctum, another last -minute element was added to the complex: Replica of the World War II Memorial in Belgium.

"The World War II  Monument was added to enhance or bring attention to the Seward Mansion,” explains Uhrmann.  “Several years ago I supported the Mt. Olive Historical Society’s application to receive a grant to restore the building.  The Seward Mansion has two sister buildings: One at Normandy Beach and the other in Belgium.  I have seen both buildings and have always admired their vast similarities.  A letter of support was requested of me, by Mt. Olive Historical Society President Thea Dunkle several years ago, and as a result, their grant was approved.  I am hoping that one day, once the mansion is fully restored, the township would consider allowing us to display rare war relics and uniforms in one of the first-floor rooms.”

With these last two elements completed, the AVM displays 16 different elements and has been identified as “one of the most meaningful veterans memorials” as noted recently by a representative from the State Army, Uhrmann shares. 

Elements include: Main Ceremonial Complex, Charlie Johnson Memorial Gazebo, Path To Enduring Freedom, Liberty Wall (Bill of Rights), War Dog Memorial, Battleship New Jersey Bollards, NorthStar Seating Area, Liberty Walkway, Warrior Obelisk, Spiritual Cenotaph, POW/MIA/PTSD Remembrance Wall, Ascension Bell, POW/MIA Podium, War Horse Memorial, Reflection Sanctum, Replica of the WWII Memorial in Belgium.

The AVM started 17 years ago with the Global War on Terror, and “now it’s the end of the war,” since the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan, Uhrmann says.

"The Reflection Sanctum is the final phase,” confirms Uhrmann.  “No other element will be added. The existing elements will simply need to be maintained.”  

By Cheryl Conway

After 17 years and countless hours of planning, creating, collecting donations and maintaining the site, the All Veterans Memorial complex at Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake is complete. 

The All Veterans Memorial is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 by Founder Charlie Wood Uhrmann, a former Hackettstown resident. Her mission has been to create a premier local memorial to honor all men and women who have served, are serving and will serve in the United States Armed Forces. 

There are 16 elements in total that represent the different wars and those who fought in them- the military men, women and even animals- all represented with pavers, walkways, monuments and artifacts.

The AVM started 17 years ago during the Global War on Terror, and is now completed, ironically, now that the war is over, says Uhrmann.

"We started at the beginning of the war and we stopped when we pulled out of Afghanistan,” right in sync with the completion of the final phase, the prayer garden, explains Uhrmann.

The two final elements were built last month and the founder admits it was by far the most difficult to complete in time for the AVM Remembrance Day Ceremony. Hundreds came out this year to commemorate the day but perhaps just a few know that back story of the time, toil and sweat it took to get it done in time.

Uhrmann and her husband, Scott, funded the cost for the final element, the Reflection Sanctum, also known as the prayer garden. Home Depot, which had supported the AVM for the past 13 years under its former management, had committed to fund the project but failed to file the grant for supplies needed for the prayer garden, says Uhrmann.

Uhrmann had been working on the site for three weeks up to the event; kicked off with a spring cleanup, weeding the area with about 50 volunteers; repairing the elements; digging, setting pavers, and paving a walkway to and around the Reflection Sanctum.

“We have a driver driving to Wisconsin to pick up the engraved pavers,” says Uhrmann. “The trucking industry is overwhelmed,” she says from a “supply shortage” and surge in gas prices.   When the paver vendor informed Uhrmann at the 11th hour “they could not deliver,” Uhrmann was blessed by Jason Tucker who drove to Wisconsin “ to retrieve our pavers,” says Uhrmann. “For this first time in 17 years, our vendor was unable to make the Memorial Day deadline due to the supply and trucking shortage. Jason drove 2,000 miles round trip (32 hours) so that the families who planned to install their loves one’s paver could do so. 

“This is the most difficult phase in all the years,” says Uhrmann. “Everything that could go wrong has. Laying the pavers is a specialty.”

When a friend saw Uhrmann working so hard at the AVM, he did what he could to help.

“Paul Stefinew saw me laying pavers myself and called his brother-in-law who dropped everything to help,” says Uhrmann. Frank Santarpia from Lawn and Order “came to the rescue. They set the pavers and benches. Then refused to send an invoice.

"I have never worked so hard in my life,” says Uhrmann. “This is the first time in over ten years that Home Depot did not do spring cleanup. Thank God for the JROTC. They were able to help weed, edge, spread mulch and lay a couple of rows of pavers.”

Uhrmann is also thankful for Mt. Olive Twp.’s help this year.

“Mt. Olive Twp.’s help was immeasurable to us this year,” says Uhrmann. “As part of the prayer garden, we added a Belgium World War II Monument to feature the Seward Mansion. John Geiger and Eddie Lata were key to locating and transporting the right rocks to complete the memorial. We like to say they moved heaven and earth.”

With all the obstacles she endured, Uhrmann accepts the role she signed up for.

“I have accepted the leadership role,” says Uhrmann, “and promised the completion of the Reflection Sanctum.  Things are easy when everything goes as planned. However, it is when things go absolutely wrong that your character is tested. I worked 19 out of the 21 days at the AVM in an effort to complete the task. Though I admit there were moments I felt defeated, I refused to give in. Through it all I maintained my faith. My prayers for help were answered.

“Small organizations like the AVM are devastated when one link is broken,” she says.

Founder Follows Her Heart and Passion

"Seventeen years ago, when the war had very much started, when kids started coming home and parents were heartbroken, I learned what One Nation under God is,” says Uhrmann. Living in South Carolina at that time, Uhrmann said she started to do some outreach to help families “to make them whole.”

Says Uhrmann, “that’s military life, they leave back family. The sacrifices they do not only when overseas but veterans’ families. What a horrible feeling to not know what they are feeling when you are so out of touch with them. I can’t imagine to raise a child for 18 years and then they’re gone.   “The AVM serves not only the veterans and military men and women but the families,” says Uhrmann. “It’s a tragedy when they can’t adjust anymore.”

She says for 17 years, the AVM has been trying to bridge the gap between the military and civilians. “Their families still wait for them,” says Uhrmann.

AVM-A Grateful Organization

While Uhrmann is the backbone to the AVM, she is most gracious for all of the volunteers and contributors who have helped her along the way.

“We are a grateful organization, for our volunteers, for those who come out, for those who donate,” says Uhrmann. “This memorial is blessed by God.”

The AVM has organized collections over the years, sending 1,200 shipments to military men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some were individual requests, others contained 50-75 boxes of needed supplies. Other collections included  10,000 survival backpacks and blessing boxes to homeless veterans; dog food to homeless dogs.

"All private donations, private hands,” says Uhrmann. “If I couldn’t lift it, they lifted it for me.

"We have made a big difference just by having this complex,” says Uhrmann.

Following the AVM Remembrance ceremony, Uhrmann acknowledged AVM supporters and presented each with awards for their support over the years. Each person was called up and received a one-of-a kind paver from the Path of Enduring Freedom made from sand granules collected at Normandy Beach on June 6, 2014, each with an AVM seal and adorned with a red poppy sculpted by Marcia Barnhart. They also received a certificate with their name for their unwavering selflessness, contribution and support towards the successful development and completion of the All Veterans Memorial Ceremonial Grounds at Turkey Brook Park.

Those recognized include: Bill & Linda Sohl, AVM Founder / Major Donor;  Eric John Daniels Wood, AVM Founder / Major Donor; Karl Meier, Avm Founder / Major Donor;  Peter King, Founding Board Member;  Solomon Gonite, Founding Board Member;  William ‘Bill’ Wynne, Founding Board Member; Amery Vasso, Founding Board Member; Frank Hunkele, Founding Donor; Home Depot, Founding Donor; Daughters Of The American Revolution, Founding Donor; American Legion Post 91, Founding Donor; 102nd Cavalry Regiment Assoc., Founding Donor; Morris County American Legion, Founding Donor; Knights Of Columbus, Founding Donor; Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 N.Y., Founding Donor; Bonnie Blackwell, Founding Donor;  Joe Gigli, Founding Contributor; BSA Troop 249, Budd Lake, Founding Contributor;  Mark Noyes, Founding Contributor;  Eileen Schissler, Founding Contributor;  MHOS AFJROTC, Founding Contributor;  Cheryl Conway, Contributor; John Geiger, Ed Lata and John Mania.

“Congratulations to the All Veterans Memorial Committee and Charlie Uhrmann for the event this weekend for Memorial Day,” says Mt. Olive Twp. Mayor Rob Greenbaum during the May 31 council meeting.  

By Cheryl Conway 

Different than years’ past, its purpose stayed the same: To teach, build and spread kindness.

The Chester M. Stephen’s Elementary School Kindness Tour was held Thursday, May 12. Six second grade classes with about 135 students, their teachers, guests and family members gathered at Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for most of the festivities. More kindness followed at CMS from 12:45 p.m. until 3:35 p.m.   This year’s theme: Building Kindness as “Kindness is just love with its work boots on,” consisted of a Kindness Pledge, walk to Turkey Brook Park with songs at the All Veterans Memorial ceremonial grounds; building friendship activity on the playground; kindness challenge; can food collection for the food pantry; and building birdhouses.

Second grade teacher and organizer of the annual CMS Kindness Tour Ann Scotland shared “How truly important this lesson is. Our world needs love to heal, grow, and develop into the beauty that it is meant to be. We all need to use our "tools" to construct durability and happiness with. This shared experience of devotion and wisdom opens the mind and heart together. The strength in that is tremendous. We can't offer our students anything better.”   Unlike previous years, students would board busses with parents in cars following behind with stops at a local nursing home, church, food pantry and post office to mail letters to military men and women. Last year, with COVID restrictions, the tour was held virtually; in this post- COVID era, the itinerary was adjusted so participants could meet safely but with precaution. 

“The tour itself was different from any other year,” explains Scotland. “Covid changed things for us. With that said, kindness was needed more than ever. It was valuable for the children to see how healing each act of kindness can be. We couldn't go into a care facility or use buses this year.”   So instead, the tour, organized by the CMS second grade team, still went on using nearby amenities.

“Having the beautiful park literally at our feet made it a perfect venue for our mission,” explains Scotland. “The parents had a more hands-on invitation with the "Treasure Trunk" portion of our trip. It was nice having teachers, parents and students share the moment together.”

The support from the community did not waiver with donations and yard signs.

"We still have the Corsey family and the Sunset Drive residents showering the street with quotes of kindness signs as we start our day,” says Scotland. “Yard after yard, sign after sign welcomes our students into the day with a celebratory feel. We are so grateful for their participation too. Every ounce of kindness had an impact on this unique day.”

Day of Kindness

Scotland describes the day: “Following our Kindness Pledge, 2nd grade students left the building and walked to the Veteran's Memorial part of the park. They had on their themed T-Shirt and a "Lo❤es" Tool belt. They learned that the toolbelt should include: Their hands to build with, heart to care with, eyes to see where kindness is needed, mouth for an encouraging voice, our mind for thinking... what do people need/how can I help them, and ears to listen for the need/to the need. We have these tools in our midst daily. It was a day to use them and celebrate them.”

For transportation, “We walked to the park and walked back. There were no buses involved this year. Parents met us at the park. We had a beautiful turnout... many hearts and hands shared in our day.”

Scotland says she chose the AVM as the location because, “The AVM was a perfect launching spot for the day. It is a place that honors members of the Armed Forces who served our country. They served with courage, wisdom and heart. No doubt they used the exact tools we were highlighting on this day. We are grateful for their kindness and care. It was a wonderful setting to sing, offering smiles and writing our letters of gratitude to these men/women. Saying thank you is the basic form of kindness.”

The AVM part of the tour included “Spreading good cheer portion of our day,” Scotland describes.

“Under the direction of Mr. Chris King (music teacher) we sang five songs that highlighted goodness, to others and to ourselves,” says Scotland. “In the audience we had parents and two special guests from Paragon Village.

“The songs we sang were: “If I Had A Hammer” (Peter, Paul & Mary) went with our theme; “The Power of One” (Bombshell); “Don't Give Up On Me” ( Andy Grammer); “Count On Me” ( Bruno Mars);  and “Fight Song” (Rachel Platten). Rachel Platten happens to be the cousin of one of my students so she sent us a video wishing the class well as we sang her song!” she explains.

“We gave our two guests from Paragon Village a bouquet of flowers, made by students, and blankets to offer a hug,” she continues. “The kids each brought home a flower for their parents too. After they sang, the children all sat around the Memorial and wrote letters of gratitude to our troops.  A monetary donation to the Veteran's Memorial area of the park will be given from our second-grade students.”

To express its gratitude, Scotland confirms, “we donated $275 to Turkey Brook’s Memorial. They are buying planters for the space with the money.  We tried to donate something in celebration of each cause/person that was being highlighted for making a difference in our world. This specific area is a shared space in the Mt. Olive Community. It is our ‘Thank You’ for having us. We wanted to give back to the community and to the honorees of this space.

Scotland says there were about 70 parents in the audience for the singing portion of the celebration. Some stayed and observed the rest of the morning.   

Building Friendships 

“We then walked over to the playground part of the park,” explains Scotland. “We blended classes pairing the students up with a peer that they didn't know very well. They were partnered up and given conversation slips. They would read a prompt and respond with an answer; each time they completed their thoughts, they would each put a bead on their band. In the end they created a friendship bracelet, each bead representing all of the connections they made with their new friend. They then spent time playing on the playground together. 

Community Love

“Our final stop at the park was over by Parking Lot C,” says Scotland. “Throughout the past few months second grade families were invited to share in an act of kindness as a family. The families that took this challenge on, came to our celebration with a decorated car. We called this section "Treasure Trunks."

There were 20 parent volunteers, both moms and dads, for the "Treasure Trunk" portion of the day, she adds, with 20 cars participating.

“The students went from car to car looking at the theme of kindness that was offered by the visual(s) shared in each trunk,” describes Scotland. “The parents stood near and answered questions with regard to the kind deed. They then gave each student visitor a Kindness Card with a kindness challenge on it. The boys and girls were told to complete the challenge from home when they get a chance. Once they are finished they are to pass the card on to keep the goodness going from one person to the next. They had an entire collection of Kindness Cards when they returned to school.”   Some Kindness Card challenges included: “Give someone a hug, give a compliment, offer a smile, recycle, set the dinner table, make a card for someone, exercise and be kind to yourself, use please and thank you, fold laundry, share your toys with someone in need, clean without being asked, make a homemade gift for someone, talk to someone new at school, make a positive sidewalk chalk message, tell a joke and enjoy the laughter, look for kindness and be inspired.” During the  "Community Stop," the students decorated lunch bags for The Midnight Run Crew, continues Scotland. “This crew takes lunch to the homeless in NYC. The decorated bags will be a kind hello to store the lunches in.” A $30 Walmart gift card was also given to the crew to buy supplies such as warm socks or clothing, she adds. Kindness continued.

Students also collected canned goods for the Mt. Olive Food Pantry and a $30 gift card to purchase supplies.

Scotland says “I didn't get an exact count,” of how many cans were collected. “Each second-grade student was asked to bring in one canned good as an offering. We have about 135 students. So we had at least that many cans. Some donated more. We loaded the back of a van with four or five big boxes full.”

While the students are busy spreading kindness, the tour would not be a success without all of the contributors.

"Parents donated canned goods and various items for the Treasure Trunk causes; NJEA donated money for the students to get T-Shirts; grant money paid for tool belts and some gift cards.”

The second graders even saved some kindness for the birds.

“We made birdhouses to be kind to the birds when we returned to school,” she adds. “Birdhouses went home with the children. They were to find a spot that they thought would be inviting for the birds. One last act of kindness for the day.”

Looking back at the day, Scotland is pleased that the weather held out for the outdoor tour and that kindness continues to spread.

"It was our hope that all the participants were touched by the kindness they were able to share this year,” says Scotland. “It is always our hope that it stays with the students and grows with time.  In addition, every outreach that we extended as a second-grade family hopefully reached someone with care and made that difference. It's our dream that the impact of the day doesn't stop with the day but was born on that day. We want it to continue on and on and on.”   

This unique -spring-fed pool is surrounded by the beauty of Norvin Green State Forest. It was first opened more than 80 years ago as part of the nation's first racially integrated camp (Camp Midvale). Some say Highlands Pool has healing properties but, at the very least, visitors will find themselves relaxed in the midst of nature. The pool is not treated with chemicals but the water is constantly refreshed by the stream that fills it. For those who are not much of a swimmer, there is still plenty to do at The Highlands Natural Pool. Visitors will find snacks, drinks, picnic area and a volleyball court.   

There are also board games to borrow and the pool offers free Wi-Fi.    

The Highlands Natural Pool is currently run by a non-profit group, the Community Association of the Highlands, which offers day passes as well as seasonal memberships. Being fed by a natural spring, the pool is not heated and the water temperature rarely rises above 65 degrees. Brisk and bracing, the temperature is actually quite refreshing on a hot summer day. The depth of the pool ranges from under 4' in the shallow section to over 10' at the deep end. It's the perfect place to cool down after a long hike in the surrounding area. Annual memberships and day passes are available to all. 

Visit https://www.highlandsnaturalpool.org/  

The Arc of Warren County community came together, on May 9, for a dedication ceremony in memory of Pieter Woodcock of Blairstown, a beloved member of The Arc of Warren County family. The Oxford Group Home will now be known as The Pieter Woodcock Group Home. The recognition was a result of The Arc Board of Directors’ decision to celebrate Pieter’s longstanding commitment to the organization posthumously.      

Woodcock served as The Arc of Warren County’s Board of Directors president and later served as the president of the HUD committee. He also worked as a Direct Support Professional at the Oxford Group Home from 2010 to 2020 after a successful career in pharmaceutical sales. His son, Daniel, utilized The Arc of Warren County services since he was an infant.      

“Pieter was an exceptional individual,” says John Whitehead, CEO of The Arc of Warren County. “He is sorely missed and will never be forgotten. This is a small way to show how grateful our community is for the positive impact that he had on everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.”   During the ceremony, The Arc of Warren County was presented with a New Jersey Joint Legislative Resolution honoring the memory of Woodcock and his commitment to the agency.      

The Arc is a national organization that serves individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their family members since 1950.  The Arc of Warren County is one of 700 chapters of The Arc and serves more than 1,100 people annually for the past 68 years.  Programs include residential group homes and supervised apartments, day services, community-based supports, advocacy services, recreation and summer camp, Special Olympics training, early intervention and a wide variety of additional social services.