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One of the most meaningful projects in Morris County reaches a milestone this month. Veterans Valor will dedicate The Gateway at The Healing Garden on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue in Morris Township. Admission is free, there is no registration, and everyone is welcome.
You do not have to be a veteran to come. The afternoon is being planned by veterans and veteran groups, and organizers are inviting families, neighbors, students and anyone who simply wants to see the new Gateway and spend a fall afternoon at one of the prettiest spots in the county.
What The Gateway Is
The Gateway is the first phase of The Healing Garden, a planned series of seven gardens created for veterans and their families. Its stone walls carry the seals of the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, giving visitors a quiet place to stop, reflect and remember.
The Gateway was built by Bruin & Sons Landscape and Construction, who are also donating a Christmas tree that will stand near the entrance. We have followed this project since the agreement for The Healing Garden was signed at the arboretum and through last year’s groundbreaking, so seeing the first garden ready for its dedication is a big moment for the whole county.
Honor a Veteran With an Ornament
The dedication also kicks off a new Honor a Veteran ornament program. Ornaments will be available at the event for a $25 donation and will hang on the holiday tree near The Gateway. Ornaments are only offered in person at the event for now, with no online ordering, so plan to pick yours up on November 15.
Plan Your Visit
- What: Dedication of The Gateway at The Healing Garden
- When: Sunday, November 15, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 PM
- Where: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township, NJ 07960
- Cost: Free, no registration required
- Ornaments: $25 donation, available at the event only
About Veterans Valor
Veterans Valor is a New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports veterans and their families by creating Healing Gardens, spaces of peace, reflection and community healing through nature. The group is building The Healing Garden at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum with the Morris County Park Commission, Rotary District 7475, and local veterans and health groups.
Learn more or donate at veteransvalornj.com, or reach the team at info@veteransvalornj.com. Looking for more ways to support local veterans? Our guide to veteran resources in Morris County covers benefits, health care, support groups and places to reflect.
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