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More than 100 guests gathered at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum on Friday as the Morris County Park Commission, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, and Veterans Valor of New Jersey came together to officially sign an agreement establishing The Healing Garden of Morris.
This new public space will be dedicated to honoring veterans and supporting their families through reflection, connection, and community.
The agreement was signed by Park Commission Executive Director Dave Helmer, Park Commission President Stuart Lasser, and Veterans Valor Chairman Charlie Iuliano. The event marked the official start of a project more than two years in the making.
Commissioner Douglas Cabana, liaison to the Park Commission, said the County Commissioners are proud to work with the Park Commission and Veterans Valor to create a space that honors veterans while providing a place for healing and support. He noted that many months of planning led to the signing and that groundbreaking is taking place on November 13, 2025, at 4:00 PM.
The Healing Garden of Morris was designed as a living tribute and a garden for peace, reflection, and renewal. It will host veteran-related art, horticultural programs, wellness seminars, and opportunities for creative expression. At its center is the Disarm PTSD initiative, which helps veterans turn experiences of service-related trauma into purpose and connection.
Executive Director of Veterans Valor Will Draper described the Healing Garden as a testament to resilience and service, with seven dedicated areas representing the journey of veterans from service to recovery.
The seven planned areas include:
- Point of Sacrifice, honoring the bravery and sacrifices of service members.
- Medevac, recognizing the critical moments of medical evacuation and care.
- Triage, focusing on early stages of treatment and assessment.
- Homeward, celebrating the emotional return home and reunion with loved ones.
- Recovery, addressing ongoing physical and mental health support.
- Fallen, remembering those lost to post-service struggles.
- New Life, inspiring hope and new beginnings for veterans and their families.
Veterans Aaron Oliver, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran, Rob Hughes, retired U.S. Navy captain and Veterans Valor board member, and Vietnam veteran and artist Peter Danchise each spoke about the challenges of PTSD and the importance of community support for veterans.
Veterans Valor first proposed the Healing Garden to the Park Commission in February 2023, with a memorandum of understanding approved that October.
Park Commission Executive Director Dave Helmer said the project continues a legacy of collaboration that began in 1966 when the Park Commission and Rotary Club of Morristown helped create the Friends of Patriots’ Path.
Attendees included Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, members of the Rotary Club of Morristown, American Legion Post 59, District 10 VFW, County College of Morris, Morris Arts, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, municipal officials, community partners, and local veterans. After the signing, guests toured the future garden site.
Morris County continues to expand veteran programs, including a larger Veterans Services Office in Morris Township that now houses a federal Veterans Affairs Community Access Point, and a partnership with the County College of Morris that provides a Veterans Services Officer twice a month.
Veterans Valor, also known as The Healing Gardens of Morris, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting New Jersey veterans and their families through community programs focused on healing, awareness, and connection.
For more information or to support the project, reach out to Veterans Valor of NJ.
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