St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township, N.J., celebrated America’s 250th anniversary with a concert organized by Dr. Eric Stroud, the parish’s music minister and organist. The adult, children, and handbell choirs sang and were joined by performances by visiting soloist Richard Rossback, percussionist Steve O’Toole, and Hackettstown’s Colonial Musketeers, a local fife and drum group.
The Colonial Musketeers started the concert with an outdoor parade around the church. The concert opened with “The Star-Spangled Banner” and included patriotic selections “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Numerous military marches were also performed along with a rendition of “God Bless Our Countrymen” composed by St. Thomas parishioner Kathy Murphy.
The concert featured a salute to the Armed Forces on the organ performed by Dr. Stroud. Veterans and active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force stood and were recognized as their respective service songs played. Several service members attended in uniform, including Air Force veteran and pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. John Vianney parishes, Father Ben Williams. Luke and Max Williver, young Boy Scouts and parishioners of St. Thomas, led the pledge of allegiance.
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The parish is grateful to American Legion Post 423 Milton, who served as the Color Guard for the concert.
The Knights of Columbus Council 5510 hosted a celebratory summer barbecue for all who attended. The parish expresses its appreciation to the Knights, and especially Chefs Mike Murphy and Jim Zajdel, for the party in the festively decorated Msgr. Fitzpatrick Social Hall.
