U.S. Army Retired Col. Robert E. Watson will be the keynote speaker at Lawrence Township’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
The 11 a.m. ceremony will be held in front of the Lawrence Township Municipal Building. A light lunch will follow the ceremony.
Residents are invited to create “Thank You” cards for the veterans. They should be dropped off at the Lawrence Township Recreation Department by Nov. 8. The cards will be displayed at the luncheon, following the ceremony.
Watson has been the commander of the 112th Field Artillery Association since 2012. The association is based in Lawrence Township. Its purpose is to develop and maintain historical records on the lineage of New Jersey-based artillery units – and in particular, those of the 112th Field Artillery.
Watson also serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey. It has a museum at 151 Eggerts Crossing Road adjacent to the Army National Guard armory, and another museum in Sea Girt.
Watson began his military career as a cannoneer with C Battery, 4th Battalion, 112th Field Artillery in the New Jersey Army National Guard in November 1968. He remained in the enlisted ranks until he entered Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1977.
He held several command posts in the 112th Field Artillery and the 50th Armored Division Artillery. His last command assignment was Regimental Commander, 254th Regiment (Combat Arms) in Sea Girt from 2002 to 2004.
Watson served a 28-month active duty tour at Fort Dix as the chief of Mobilization, Plans and Operations. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Class of 2001.
Watson has received several awards, including the Legion of Merit, Army Meritorious Service and the Army Commendation Medal.
Veterans Day honors American military veterans of all wars. It has its origin in the armistice, or temporary cease-fire, that occurred on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – November – in 1918 in World War I.
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as Armistice Day in 1919. Its name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954, following World War II and the Korean Conflict.
The township’s Veterans Day ceremony is co-sponsored by the Lawrence Township Recreation Department and the Lawrence Township Patriotic Committee.
