Memorial Day Service 2012

29-May-2012
   Earlier Monday morning the Bogota post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ralph Hall  post #5561, and the American Legion, Clifford Dunn post #117 held their Memorial Day service in front of the Bogota Borough Hall.  With the traditional remembrance of fall members of the Bogota Fire Dept. preceding it. This year, for the first time, Walter Croft of the American Legion sent out an invitation to the Navy to see if there would be any service  personnel  from Fleet Week that would be interested in joining the ceremonies.  The response was that over 40 men & women on active duty can out to Bogota to help honour all members of the worlds armed forces, past and present, to give of themselves to help others.
   The United States Marine Corp. was represented by the men of Charlie Company 1st Battalion 9th Marine. The U.S. Navy had ten sailors from USS Roosevelt attending. Finally  in recognition of the allied forces Fourth year Cadets from the Spanish training vessel  Juan Sebastian De Elcano.
   The ceremonies began with Lynn Teale leading the crowd in singing the Star Spangled Banner. VFW Commander Hernandez then lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Peter Olsen ,of Trinity Lutheran presented the Invocation, before Commander Hernandez welcome the crowd, and the guest to Bogota. Mayor Pat McHale spoke in also welcoming those had chosen to attend. Next can the reading of the Honour Roll for those members who are now "absent". With the help of Emily Sinclair for the American Legion, and Lillian Stevenson from the VFW, poppies were place on a cross in front of the World War I Monument in tribute to fallen members who have served the country.  The final tribute was the laying of a wreath at the monument for MIA / POW's.  This was done by Kathy Fry from the American Legion women's auxiliary. She was escorted by a Marine Color Guard consisting Kevin Brakhage  & Donald Brackin II from Charlie Company. This was accompanied by  Mike Sorrention playing Amazing Grace on his Bag pipes. Father Richard Supple of St. Joseph's gave the Benediction, and lead the crowd in singing America the Beautiful.
     American Legion Commander Croft ended the ceremonies by thanking all who came to attend , and a special  thanks to the Men & Women from Fleet Week who had come to New Jersey to attend. The crowd then gave those service personnel there own round of applause. Before, and after, the ceremony many of the citizens of Bogota gave a personal thanks to the service  Men & Women, as well as welcoming to the Borough.  
           

The visiting service personnel join the Fire Dept in the remembrance  ceremony 

VFW Commander Hernandez welcoming the crowd 

Lynn Teale singing the National  Anthem 

Pastor Olsen with the invocation

Mayor Pat McHale addressing the crowd.

Poppies being added to remember the fallen 

Kathy Fry(C) with Marine escorts Brakhage (L) & Brackin

Taps

American legion Commander Croft thanking the crows & the Active Duty Personnel for attending. 

Father Richard Supple giving the Benediction 

Citizens of Bogota applauding for the service personnel in attendance. 

Borough Hall behind the MIA/ POW monument.

Memorial Day Parade

28- May- 2012
   The Annual Bogota Memorial Day parade was held today. Joining  the parade were active duty members from Fleet. From the Spanish naval ship Juan Sebastian DeElcano  4th year Mid-shipment. Sailors from the USS Roosevelt. And members of Charlie Company 1st Battalion 9th Marines.  Who were warming welcomed by the citizens of Bogota for their service to the country.

Memorial Day

28-May-2012
  Remembering all who have served and all who are serving  for all our freedoms.
  From Bogota Blog NJ

 Veterans Memorial Garden
Olsen Park, Bogota NJ

Book Signing

24- May -2012

 The Bogota Library hosted a book signing by resident Susan Fries, to launch her first publish work " When Pigs Fly". It is a story about a young girl named Nicole whose life ends after a fight against a Brain Tumor. Based  on a real life story of the lost of a friend's daughter at the age of twelve to the same cancer. The book follows Nicole life, and how she deals with the her situation, and the journey she takes to it's end. The struggles of a family dealing with the lost of their daughter, and how the girls spirituality lets her face her future.
    Ms. Fries is a former musician turned writer found the need to write about how her friends family had to face some " insurmountable obstacles" to find out how the human spirit can learn from it's present to move into the future.
  " When Pigs Fly" will be available in the Bogota Library soon. But for more information about Susan Fries, and how to purchase this book please go to www.susanfries-author.com

Author Susan Fries talking to the crowd  at the Library.

Ms. Fries (L) talking to Mildred Campbell

 Ms. Fries (L) signing a copy of her book for Jane Menge

Maria Baranello getting a copy of "When Pigs Fly" back from Susan Fries.

Susan Fries

Susan Fries w/ Angelica (L) and friend Mary- Jane

 
 

Rescue Demostration

23-May-2012
   The Bogota Advisory Committee on Substance Abuse (BACSA) and the Borough of Bogota emergency services held a demonstration today at Feigle Field. It was held for the Junior & Seniors of Bogota High School to show what happens in an automobile accident. The scene was that two cars of students had gotten involved in a serious crash with many injuries and even one fatality.  Bogota Police Chief James Burke described a number of ways an accident like this could occur, but did mention at towards the end of the school year at drivers under the influenced of drugs ,or alcohol becomes more of a problem. It was also mention at neither one of the cars  at the crash could be to blame , but a third party not at the scene may  have been responsible. This is to remind drivers that their attention should be on the road at all times.
  This demonstration also showed how Departments  from other towns will help each other in the advent of an emergency. There were Ambulance crews for Ridgefield Park, and Teaneck, as well as EMS workers from Holy Name Hospital showing what is involved in a rescue situation. Chief explained how, in these situation, it is the Police that respond first. Then the First Aid Squad is called in along with the Fire Dept. to help to the rescue  of any one needing assistance. If it is determined that further personal is needed then the squads from other towns are ask to respond as well.
  The process started with the first Police officers at the scene checking on who is involved and what their condition is. Then the Rescues Squads arrive it works on getting to the most accessible victims as soon as possible.  It needed to make access easier then a number of tool can be used to help free trapped victims. The best know is a hydraulic pry tool also called "the Jaws of Life" but simple wreaking bars and other prying tool will also be used. Once the victim are able to be reach they are fitted , if needed, with neck and back support so that further injuries to not occur.  Then the survivors are taken to the nearest local Hospital, while the Police stay to investigate the cause of the accident. In the case of a fatality the County Coroner is called in to remove the body to the County Morgue to determine the cause of death and alert the next of kin.
   The Students in attendance watched as the scene played out in front of them. Some even took the time to ask questions of Chief Burke , and OEM Supervisor Tito Jackson about parts of the rescue. This is one way that the BACSA, Police, and other Emergency Services use to try and inform students of what can happen if, for any reason, some one is impaired or distracted while in operation of a motor  vehicle.

Police Chief Burke explaining what is going on at the cash scene.

The scene revealed 

OEM Supervisor Tito Jackson studying the scene

Police Officer check on the victims .

Rescue Squad securing the cars to keep them stable.

A "fatality"  

First Aid Squad members moving a victim to the stretcher.

Rescue Squad members prying open the car to get to the victims.

Adding a neck back to prevent further injuries.

Members of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corp assisting the Bogota  rescuers.  

Ridgefield Park Ambulance Corp also assisting  at the scene.

Tito Jackson addressing the students.