Blessings,

 

On behalf of the City of Elizabeth, the GoElizabethNJ250 Committee, the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, and the Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organization, we are delighted to invite you to be a featured guest on our upcoming broadcast mini-series:

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Our City:  Stories that Shape America
Airing October 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026
CableVision Channel 18 | Hosted by Mayor J. Christian Bollwage

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This 52-week series will air throughout the GoElizabethNJ250 Celebration, commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Elizabeth’s foundational role in shaping New Jersey and America. Each episode will spotlight a unique dimension of Elizabeth—its people, history, resilience, innovation, and future—through interviews, storytelling, and community engagement.

As a respected leader and voice in our community, your participation will help highlight Elizabeth’s enduring legacy and inspire future generations.

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Your interview is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in the Mayor’s Studio at City Hall.  Ruby Contreras, Public Information Officer, will confirm the exact time of your interview. 

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Please review the sample questions provided below in preparation. If an emergency arises requiring a change to the date or time, the Mayor’s Public Relations Office will contact you directly.

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Thank you for considering this invitation. Together, we can showcase Elizabeth’s story as the Stories that Shape America.

With appreciation,

Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Rev. Dr. Wanda M. Lundy, Ms. Aimee, Fernandez-Puente
Co-Chair, GoElizabethNJ250 Celebration

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Week 10 – Sacred Ground: Honoring Elizabeth’s Veterans at Old First Cemetery
Guest Speaker: Linda Weaver and Leonard J. Komar, Jr. – Wreaths Across America Representative / Local Veteran Historian
Recording Date: October 22, 2025
Airing Date: December 8, 2025
Location: Mayor’s Studio, City Hall
Production: Mayor’s Staff

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Episode Overview

Old First Cemetery in Elizabeth is one of the city’s most sacred historic sites, the final resting place of Revolutionary War soldiers, early settlers, and veterans from generations of American history. Each December, through the Wreaths Across America initiative, Elizabeth joins a nationwide movement to remember, honor, and teach about the sacrifices of those who served.

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This episode explores the legacy of Elizabeth’s veterans, the significance of Old First Cemetery as hallowed ground, and the community’s role in ensuring that the stories of service and sacrifice are never forgotten.

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Sample Questions for the Guest

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1. Old First Cemetery is home to some of Elizabeth’s earliest veterans. Why is this site such a meaningful place to honor them?

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2. Can you share how the Wreaths Across America program came to include Elizabeth’s Old First Cemetery?

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3. What is the significance of laying wreaths on the graves of veterans, both for families and the community at large?

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4. How does Elizabeth’s participation connect our local story to the larger national tradition of remembrance?

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5. Are there particular veterans or stories from Old First Cemetery that stand out to you as especially powerful or moving?

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6. What role do volunteers, schools, and community groups play in making this commemoration possible each year?

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7. As we approach America’s 250th Anniversary, how do you see this tradition deepening our appreciation for Elizabeth’s role in the nation’s history?

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8. How can residents get involved in honoring Elizabeth’s veterans—whether through Wreaths Across America or other acts of remembrance?

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9. What does it mean personally for you to be part of this work of honoring and teaching?

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10. What do you hope viewers will carry with them after learning about Elizabeth’s veterans and the sacred ground at Old First Cemetery?