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James Parker (Jim) Wollner, a lifelong resident of Bloomfield and a graduate of the BHS class of 1964, was selected Grand Marshal of the Bloomfield Memorial Day parade. His story, like so many others in this great town, began in its schools—Fairview, South Junior High, and Bloomfield High School, from which he graduated in 1964. As a young man, Jim was a Boy Scout with Troop #7 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, which proudly erected the Morris Canal Monument at Spruce and Liberty Streets—a small symbol of how his service to community began early and has lasted a lifetime.

While attending Bloomfield College in the evenings, Jim worked a variety of jobs—at Schering Corporation, the Federal Shoe Store, Forest Hill Field Club, and Scientific Glass & Apparatus. In February of 1967, like so many young men of his generation, he was drafted into the United States Army. After basic training at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, he deployed to Vietnam in September of that year.

He was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division operating in the Mekong Delta, and later volunteered for a new and untested unit—one that would utilize airboats for rapid mobility in the Delta’s riverine terrain. It was the first of its kind in the regular Army. It was also dangerous work. In November 1967, Jim was wounded during a mortar attack on his base camp and was awarded the Purple Heart.

In addition to that, he received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device for Valor, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Jim returned home in August of 1968 and finished his service as an Assistant Drill Instructor at Fort Dix. Upon returning, he met and married his wife, Madeline—they’ve been married 55 years. Jim and Madeline were blessed with two children: their daughter Katie, and their late son, Christian, whose memory stays with them always.

With the support of the G.I. Bill, Jim completed his degree full-time at Bloomfield College, where he served as class president for three years and graduated in 1971 with a BA in History and Political Science. His professional life took him into purchasing and materials management—working with Bates Manufacturing, Mountainside Hospital, and eventually as Vice President of Materials Management for United Hospitals Medical Center in Newark.

Jim retired in 1986 due to health reasons—specifically Multiple Sclerosis—but did not retire from service. He became involved in local schools, civic organizations, and cultural institutions. He served as president of the Oakside Bloomfield Cultural Center and Friends of the Bloomfield Public Library, among many other roles.

He is also a proud life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In 2002, Jim began writing about his time in the 2nd Airboat Platoon, and in 2007, he published The Bamboo Shoot: The Story of the 2nd Airboat Platoon. Since then, he’s had the honor of speaking to schools, veterans’ groups, and memorial organizations across the region.

Speech Reflects the Solemnity of the Day

In his Memorial Day speech, Wollner reminded us to not forget the sacrifices of those who served and who died in the line of duty protecting our country and our democratic values:

I want to thank my fellow veterans for the honor of being named grand marshal of today’s parade.

I also believe that I am the first Vietnam veteran to be so honored.

To me Memorial Day is the most sacred and solemn day in our country’s history.

In 1982, President Ronald Reagan delivered the following remarks at a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery. He was speaking about those “who loved their countrymen enough to die for them.”

He went on to say “our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough:

“The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost, as Tiffany (Tiffanyw Etheridge, Chaplin, VFW Post 711) told us in her address.

“The willingness of some to give their lives so others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonder and mystery, and how they must have wished, in all the ugliness that war brings, that no other generation of young men or women to follow, would have to undergo that same experience”.

In Jim’s conclusion, he reminded us that history is not always kind. Since 1982 we have witnessed vicious and violent acts, threats to our country and to our people.

We have also seen the patriotism of our citizens, friends, neighbors, and even members of our families respond to these attacks, and yes and we have sadly seen them die!

There has never been a question in my mind, and I pray in each of yours, but to honor them and remember the ultimate sacrifice they made for all of us.

From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, to World Wars I and II, to the Korean War, to the Vietnam War, to the Gulf War, to Iraq and Afghanistan and all the other actions in between, we give thanks and honor to those million martyrs who bequeathed to us our 250-year-old nation.

Tonight, when you lay your head on the pillow, say a prayer for those who have died. May they continue to rest in peace. Sleep well, knowing that there are those willing to give up their lives to protect every single one of us.

God bless them, God bless all of you here today and, God bless the United States of America!

Honoring Troops is a Wollner Family Affair

In 2021, during the Bloomfield Educational Foundation Gala, Madeline Wollner was approached by Bloomfield High School U.S. History teacher Keri Giannotti. Ms. Giannotti, who had invited Jim Wollner to speak to her classes a few years earlier about his Vietnam War service, asked Madeline what she thought about finding a way to honor BHS students who were enlisting in the United States military after graduation.

As the conversation continued, fellow Vietnam veteran and BHS Class of 1961 alumnus Joe Kliminski joined them. Introductions were made, and by the end of the evening, an idea had taken shape: Jim and Joe would sponsor a luncheon to recognize graduating seniors who had committed to military service.

That June, during the final week of school, the first annual luncheon was held at Angelo’s Restaurant on Broad Street in Bloomfield. What began as a simple gesture of gratitude quickly became a meaningful tradition. Now in its fourth year, the event brings together students, veterans, and community leaders to celebrate the courage and dedication of Bloomfield’s newest military recruits.

The luncheon has grown each year. Veterans from the BHS alumni community, members of Post 711 VFW, and representatives from the Bloomfield Police and Fire Departments regularly attend, along with school and civic leaders, including BHS Principal Chris Jennings, Superintendent Sal Goncalves, Joe Fleres, and William Tolba, community representative for Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.

Two important outcomes have emerged from this event. First is the immediate and heartfelt connection formed between the older veterans and the students—they speak the same language of service, sacrifice, and pride. The second is the extraordinary maturity shown by these young men and women as they share their reasons for choosing military service and the aspirations they hope to fulfill.

To date, 45 students have been honored, and approximately 15 veterans and guests participate each year.

This spirit of honoring service has also extended beyond the luncheon. Ms. Giannotti organized a Veterans Day Luncheon at the high school, led student participation in Wreaths Across America, and even took students to Arlington National Cemetery to take part in the wreath-laying ceremony. Inspired by her first classroom encounter with Jim Wollner, she became deeply involved with the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel, where she later served as Education Director.

Because of her and Madeline’s efforts—and the sparks ignited by their conversations with Madeline’s husband Jim, and Joe Kliminski—the recognition of graduating seniors entering the military has become a permanent part of Bloomfield High School’s graduation ceremony.