On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Scotch Plains community gathered to honor one of its own, Harry T. Ramsey, during a Wreaths Across America event at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church on Park Avenue. Joe McCourt, a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, served as master of ceremonies.
PFC Ramsey, a United States Army veteran of World War II and Purple Heart recipient, made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in Normandy, France, on July 29, 1944. In recognition of his service, Warren Street, where PFC Ramsey once lived, will now also be known as Harry T. Ramsey Lane. Signs have been placed on Warren Street at the intersections of Coles Avenue and Rose Street. His name will also be added to the War Memorial in the center of town.
This recognition began with the dogged research of Westfield resident, Brian Mueller. In 2020, he watched a 1964 documentary marking the 20th anniversary of D-Day, and as General Eisenhower and Walter Cronkite walked through the rows of graves at the American Cemetery in Normandy, Cronkite read some of the names of the soldiers buried there. One of those names was Harry Ramsey from New Jersey.
“That's what started the whole thing,” says Brian. “I started digging, talked to his nephew Tom [Ramsey], and confirmed that that was his uncle. I ultimately found he was from Scotch Plains.”
He also went to the War Memorial in the center of town but didn’t see Ramsey’s name. He set out to rectify this situation and make sure the veteran was recognized for his service.
It took about four years to gather all the records, and Brian never realized his research would culminate in such an honor to Ramsey. “I'm happy to see this happen, and I'm also happy that it's during the 80th anniversary of D-Day.”
Even though Brian isn’t a veteran, he’s a treasurer of the Association of the United States Army that supports Army veterans, soldiers that are deployed, and their families.
“I was just shocked when Brian contacted me,” says Tom, who drove up from Atlanta for the event. “I knew about the Walter Cronkite/General Eisenhower documentary because I watched it with my dad as a child.” They were both surprised when Harry’s name was mentioned.
“When Brian told me what he was trying to do, I offered to help in any way I could. I had some genealogy records, but not a lot.”
Tom’s father, John, was also a veteran and he and his brother Harry enlisted when they were in their 30s. “They were over there serving because they wanted to.”
While in town, Tom had the opportunity to go by and look at the house on Warren Street. “I can picture my dad in that house,” he says.
“I like what Mr. McCourt said at the end of his speech,” says Ernie Hernandez, a member of the Veterans Advisory Board in town, which was instrumental in providing this recognition. “When you place a wreath on a veteran's tombstone, say his name aloud. Because, when you say their names aloud, you keep them alive, you remember their sacrifice.”
So, next time you’re driving around town, visit these signs and take a moment to remember.