The West New York Police Department created an Honor Guard in 1997 to represent the police department and ensure that law enforcement officers receive a dignified funeral service. However, in addition to funerals, the Honor Guard also participates in promotion ceremonies, parades and dedication ceremonies, as well as swearing-in governmental events, and of course on Memorial Day, Flag Day and Veteran Day events. The West New York Honor Guard Commander is Lieutenant Mark Flores, who is a 20-year veteran of the police force. Lt. Flores has been a member of the Honor Guard since its creation and was a graduate of West New York’s Memorial High School, and is also a graduate of the Bergen County Police Academy and of Hudson County Community College. He continued his studies at New Jersey City University in Jersey City. Married to his lovely wife Barbara, who is a town Board of Education school teacher for 21 years, they are also the proud parents of a daughter Samantha and a son Justin.
Lt. Flores tells us that in his spare time, he enjoys baseball, football, scuba diving, motorcycling and traveling! As for the Honor Guard, Lt. Flores tells us that it has performed at numerous events, such as the New Jersey Storm Lacrosse Game at the Continental Arena, the New Jersey Jackals Baseball Game, the Somerset Patriots Baseball Game, the Law Enforcement Memorial in Cedar Grove New Jersey, the Annual Blue Mass in Newark, and at the West New York Middle School and High School graduations.
The Honor Guard enjoys the full support of West New York Police Director Oscar R. Fernandez, says Lt. Flores, and the elected Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Lawrence Riccardi, advised the lieutenant. Lt. Flores tells us that the Honor Guard consists of 10 members, in unique uniforms, which includes himself and Sergeant Monica Ramos, who is vice commander of the Honor Guard. The other West New York Police force officers are her husband, Detective Jorge Ramos, Police Officer Luis Gonzalez, Detective Denny Acosta, DetectiveHenry Codina, Detective Madelyn Velasquez, Police Officer David Martinez, Police Officer Jose Arroyo and Detective Marcus Garciga, who lives in North Bergen.
The Honor Guard is another area the public should know about, as well as know of their existence and the extra duties taken on by these police officers, as un-sung heroes for the community which they serve. Police Director Fernandez and Commissioner Riccardi are surely proud of these young men and women who give even more of themselves for the Town of West New York. They all deserve honor-citations for what they do and accomplish. As for Lieutenant Mark Flores and the entire Honor Guard – All the best!!!
An old Union City friend Henry Munker tells us that he is celebrating his one year anniversary as the new Civil Service Public Works superintendent within the Department of Public Works headed by elected Commissioner Tilo Rivas. A 26½ year veteran employee, Mr. Munker tells us that he takes pride in his two stepsons Greg and Michael, as well as the fact that he is a boxing ring corner-coach for the Union City Boxing Club. Knowing Mr. Munker as this columnist does, surely he will become the driving force behind the boxing club in the weeks and months to come, as he is a very loyal person to a cause. Congratulations Henry Munker!!!
Christine Eck of Secaucus was recently named to the dean’s list at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in New York City. Best wishes to you, Ms. Eck!!!
For those asking about Guttenberg Municipal Court Judge Frank Leanza, he is doing just fine, as this columnist recently spoke with him and asked him about his well being. Judge Leanza tells us that he is still plugging along and basically keeping his pulse on the tenor of law in all its aspects. Well done and well said Judge Leanza, keep up the good work!!!
Jose Marie C. Melgarejo of Weehawken became a recent graduate from Drew University/Madison Campus, achieving an undergraduate degree. Best of luck in your future, Mr. Melgarejo!!!
Hudson County Surrogate Judge Donald DeLeo of North Bergen writes this columnist that he will be giving another seminar free to the public he serves. This time he will be addressing the members of the Bayonne Rotary Club on the subject of “Updated Information on Wills, Living Wills, Living Trusts and Stories from your Hudson County Surrogate’s Court” on Tuesday, May 5 at 8 a.m. at the Chandelier Restaurant. The restaurant is located at 54th Street and Broadway in Bayonne, which is right at the Bayonne/Jersey City-borderline, coming off Jersey City’s Garfield Avenue. So hop in your automobile, and don’t miss this free seminar. Readers, if there was ever an award given for, let’s say, Hudson County Elected Official of the Year, it most likely would have to be awarded to Surrogate-Judge Donald W. DeLeo, as he is always active within the county-community that he represents. BRAVO! For further information regarding the seminar, just call 201-795-6377, you will be happy that you did! Have a great seminar, folks!…and so it goes…until next time…see you around town… “MATT”.
Please Note: Readers who would like to contribute to this column can do so by mailing your news items and photographs along with your name, address and telephone number to: “Matthew Amato”, Columnist, c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Thank you.