Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Officials describe 'highs and lows' of past year, including homecoming of killed Kinnelon soldier and how the community came together following Sandy.
As Kinnelon's elected officials gathered to welcome the new year with a swearing-in ceremony and reorganization Wednesday, they could not help but reflect on a year that one councilman described as starting off like a lamb and ending like a lion. "It was a great year for pride in Kinnelon," Councilman Jim Freda said in his remarks, noting several moments in 2012 when he, and others, were proud to be from the borough. A Year of Highs and Lows Earlier, Mayor Robert Collins described the "highs and lows" of 2012, beginning with mention of Jonathan Batista, the 22-year-old soldier from the borough who was killed in Afghanistan. As Batista's body was brought home in July, Kinnelon Road was lined with residents waving flags to welcome him. "The …
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Jonathan Batista to be remembered by annual fishing tournament.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
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Saturday, September 8, 2012
The Smoke Rise Fishing Club will be honoring fallen Kinnelon soldier Spc. Jonathan Batista with a new family event, the Jonathan Batista Memorial Bass Tournament and Dinner, according to NJ.com. The event will be held on Sept. 15 and will be open to Smoke Rise residents and their guests. Batista was killed in Afghanistan by small arms fire in July while serving his first deployment. He was 22 years old. Batista was assigned to the 2nd Batallian, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C., according to the Department of Defense. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and several other honors. The Kinnelon community welcomed him home by lining Kinnelon …
Friday, July 20, 2012
U.S. Army Specialist Jonathan Batista recognized by borough council.
Kinnelon will honor U.S. Army Specialist Jonathan Batista, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan this month, by placing a bronze plaque outside the borough’s flagpole memorial. Mayor Robert Collins announced the plan for the plaque, which will be dedicated Memorial Day 2013, during the borough council meeting Thursday. Collins also ordered that all flags in the community be flown at half mast until Aug. 8 in honor of Batista, 22. According to the Department of Defense, Batista, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, was fatally wounded by enemy small arms fire while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan. He joined the Army as an infantryman on March 16, 2010, and was …
Friday, July 13, 2012
Veterans to show patriotic support Sunday for family of Specialist Jonathan Batista.
- NEWS
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Friday, July 13, 2012
Kinnelon residents and tri-boro veterans will come together and line the shoulders of Kinnelon Road Sunday afternoon as a hearse carrying the body of fallen soldier Specialist Jonathan Batista will bring the Kinnelon resident home. The hearse will drive toward Our Lady of the Magnificat (OLM) Church for viewing hours. Kinnelon police asked residents to line the roadway Sunday between Ricker Road and Stonehouse Road in a Nixle alert sent Friday afternoon. Batista, 22, was killed in combat in Afghanistan July 8 when his unit was attacked by enemy small arms fire. Elmer Bott of the Butler VFW Post 8096 informed members of the procession and asked that veterans come to Kinnelon prepared at 2:15 p.m. with flags and veteran hats. The procession …
Brian Sniatkowski
10:25 am on Saturday, July 21, 2012
I'd like to see the town name something in his honor, maybe a school, or street or perhaps they can change Kinnelon Rec Park or Boonton Ave Field to Jonathan Batista Memorial Park. more ›