A quiet but powerful new space is taking shape in Morris County, offering veterans and their families a place to breathe, reconnect and reflect. This week, community leaders, veterans’ advocates and local organizations gathered at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum to celebrate the ceremonial tree planting that marks the beginning of the county’s Healing Garden — a thoughtfully designed sanctuary meant to honor service, loss and renewal.
The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort led by Veterans Valor alongside the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and the Morris County Park Commission. Their shared vision is simple but profound: to create a public space that supports emotional well-being, encourages connection and recognizes the sacrifices made by those who have served.
Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw spoke to the meaning behind the project, noting how deeply Morris County values its veteran community and its ongoing journey toward peace and healing.
Moments of remembrance took center stage when U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran Tom Miller shared a deeply personal story. On December 18, 1965, during Operation Harvest Moon, Miller was gravely wounded, losing an eye in the attack that also claimed the life of his radio partner, Lance Cpl. Jack Swender. To honor their bond and the years that followed, Miller placed a cup of soil from Ky Phu — the village in Vietnam where the battle took place — at the base of the newly planted tree, creating a symbolic bridge between past and present.
Soil was added by many hands, each carrying its own meaning. Representatives from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Morristown Medical Center, local Rotary Clubs and VFWs, the Knights of Columbus, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Athletic League and American Legion Post 59 contributed earth from their own organizations. Each scoop represented a collective promise to support veterans long after their service ends.
The ceremony featured a blessing from Maj. Aaron Oliver, U.S. Army veteran and chaplain, followed by remarks from State Sen. Anthony Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Dave Helmer, executive director of the Morris County Park Commission. Sheriff James Gannon, along with members of the Veterans Services Office and the Office of Planning and Preservation, also joined the gathering to show countywide support.
Veterans Valor Executive Director Will Draper emphasized the mission behind both the Healing Garden and the Disarm PTSD campaign — an effort centered on providing community, compassion and care for veterans navigating trauma and the complex transition back into civilian life.
The ceremony builds upon the formal agreement signed on October 3, 2025, officially designating the area within the arboretum as Morris County’s Healing Garden. The space will evolve over time, offering visitors an accessible refuge surrounded by nature, symbolism and community connection.
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For details on the Healing Garden project or ways to support ongoing initiatives for veterans, readers can learn more through Veterans Valor of New Jersey.
