PHOTOS: Purple Heart Monument Dedication in Clark

A crowd gathered last Saturday in front of Clark's Municipal Building to celebrate the dedication of the town's newest monument: a Purple Heart Monument to honor the men and women wounded or killed while serving in the military. 

Anthony LaFerrera, Commander of the Union County Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, led the dedication. According to LaFerrera, each of the monuments is bought with the donations raised by veterans. The Union County Chapter has donated more monuments than most states have all together; Clark's is the eighth they have donated.

"It is all hard work involved," LaFerrera told Patch. "It is a situation where we go out and raise the money. Everybody works together." 

The Military Order of the Purple Heart has 21 chapters in New Jersey with over 2,500 members and 126 in the Union County chapter.

The monument is made out of red stone granite. When it rains, the stone will look like it is bleeding from the running water, says to LaFerrera.

Engraved on the stone is the passage: "My stone is red for the blood they shed. The medal I bear is my country's way to show they care. If I could be seen by all mankind maybe peace will come in my lifetime."  

In attendance at the ceremony was the most recent Clark Purple Heart recipient, Waters, 58, has lived in Clark since 1997 and has felt compelled to serve his whole life, reenlisting and volunteering for the reserves out of retirement. Waters has served in the military for 35 years, first in the Army enlisting in 1972 and later as a reservist.

On Nov. 18, 2008, Waters was injured from a rocket attack while serving in Afghanistan. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and severe hearing loss. Waters has advice for his fellow soldiers: "Keep your head down, take care of each other and do the mission. But most importantly watch each others' backs."

"We are very proud of the 21 fallen heroes that left Clark, went to war, and never came home," former Clark American Legion Commander and retired Clark Captain, Bill Duffy told Patch. "Sixteen of those 21 were awarded the purple heart posthumously."

After the ceremony was finished, all of the veterans were welcome at the American Legion Hall for food and refreshments. The Union County Purple Heart Chapter members meet at the Elks Lodge in Cranford. New recipients of the Purple Heart are welcome to join their meetings.