The Healing Garden of Morris County Takes Root

Published on November 14, 2025

Tree Planting Ceremony Marks New Space Honoring Veterans at Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Veterans Valor, in partnership with the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and the Morris County Park Commission, held a tree planting ceremony yesterday at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum to mark the creation of The Healing Garden of Morris County, a public space intended to honor and provide a place of reflection, connection and renewal for veterans.

View Photos from The Healing Garden of Morris Tree Planting Ceremony

“Morris County is honored to support this project, which will help bring peace and healing to our veterans,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw.

U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran Tom Miller reflected on the lasting impact of losing his friend in combat. On Dec. 18, 1965, Miller was severely wounded in Operation Harvest Moon, losing an eye, while his radio partner, Lance Cpl. Jack Swender, was killed in the attack.

Miller placed a cup of dirt from Ky Phu -- the village in Vietnam where the attack took place -- around the newly planted tree.

Representatives from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Morristown Medical Center, the Morris County Park Commission, local Rotary Clubs and VFWs, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 59 of Morristown, and the Parsippany Troy Hills Police Athletic League also contributed soil, symbolizing a shared commitment to supporting those who served.

The ceremony included a blessing led by Maj. Aaron Oliver, U.S. Army veteran and chaplain, and remarks from State Sen. Anthony Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, and Dave Helmer, executive director of the Park Commission. Sheriff James Gannon, as well as members of the county’s Veterans Services Office, and the Office of Planning and Preservation, were also in attendance.

Will Draper, executive director of Veterans Valor, discussed the purpose of the Healing Garden and the Disarm PTSD campaign -- a partnership linking care, community and compassion for veterans enduring the hardships of deployment and adapting to civilian life.

The ceremony follows a formal signing of an agreement establishing the garden on Oct. 3, 2025.

For more information about The Healing Garden and ways to support the project, visit VeteransValorofNJ.org.

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Photo 1: Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw speaking at the ceremony.

Photo 2: Bruce Crawford, manager of horticulture for the Morris County Park Commission (left), holds the ceremonial shovel with Charlie Iuliano, chairman of Veterans Valor.

Photo 3: U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran Tom Miller speaking at the ceremony.

Photo 4: Kelly Brown, a U.S. Army veteran who serves as chaplain at American Legion Post 59, adds a cup of dirt to the tree.