Brookdale Park Rose Garden stands as an emblem of Allied efforts during WWII and welcomes visitors to enjoy its beauty. Boasting over 500 rose bushes from 150 varieties, it forms part of Essex County Park System in Montclair, New Jersey.
In June 1959, the Brookdale Park Rose Garden was created through a collaboration between North Jersey Rose Society and Essex County Department of Parks. However, care and restoration for the garden was ultimately handed over to Essex County Master Gardeners, who continue to care for it along with many other ornamental areas within Brookdale Park.
Roses and other flowers are currently at their peak bloom through July and August, offering visitors the opportunity to witness them alongside mountain laurels, dogwoods, and many other flowers and plants native to this region.
On weekdays, the garden serves as a special spot for local residents to stroll the grounds and shop at its gift shop. Families also flock here often for photographs or simply sitting back and relaxing – plus all visitors receive free admission! Open from dawn to dusk each day until closing time (dusk), the garden welcomes all.
Rosie Roses & A Celebration of American Women at March Field Air Museum
On May 10, six Rosies from local communities were recognized during living memorial rose bush planting ceremonies at the museum, organized by Vitas Healthcare as its inaugural Community Partner of Rose Garden. Larry Robert and Annie Farrell from Veterans Liaison as well as AFEV Marketing Coordinator were in attendance and each Rosier was recognized during this event:
Roses of remembrance were planted by volunteers from Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful and members of Hurlburt Field Spouses’ Club as a mark of respect to Nellie Woodall, Jane Tucker and Joanne McJunkin (all who worked on B-29 aircraft); Louvinia Jordan, who broke naval codes; and Betty Ann Ware Harris rolled bandages for Red Cross.
Roses donated by the National Garden Foundation serve as a special reminder of those who served and those at home who supported their service, with each rose named after one of the following Allied countries:
Oregon Spirit of ’45 volunteers have also reached out to their state’s Congressional delegation, encouraging them to support passage of the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act and amass 185 cosponsors so far.
In 2016, nearly all Senators and Representatives signed on to support Rosie the Riveter legislation during election cycles. House members passed it earlier this year; now it will go before Senate for consideration and could pass early 2017. If passed by end-2016, this would mark third time that Congress has passed legislation honoring Rosie the Riveter.
