For residents who took in the Labor Day carnival or parade in Mendham Borough had the opportunity to see the new veteran's memorial in borough park and they have one of their neighbors to thank for it.

Tim Foerster, a lifelong resident of Mendham and owner of Foerster Landscaping, spent the better part of a week rehabbing the site. The plan involved clearing out the majority of the old memorial and installing some new features like bluestone benches, a series of new annuals, perrenials and a pea gravel walkway.

"I wanted to do something that gave back," Foerster said. "My family has a long history in this area and in the armed forces. My dad was in a MASH unit and my father-in-law was a navigator on a bombadier."

The plan to update the memorial was sanctioned by the mayor and council after it was brought up at a meeting by Mendham Borough Department of Public Works Superintendent Ken O'Brien.

"I brought it up to Kenny and he took it to the mayor and council," Foerster said.

Foerster was quick to point out his partner on the project, Darren Fitzpatrick of Mendham Electric, who installed a series of lights to highlight the monuments.

"He donated all of his time and materials," Foerster said.

For his part, Fitzpatrick was happy to chip in. Both he and Foerster have worked together over the years and both men are Mendham firefighters.

"Darren is here in the Borough and I am a fireman over in Township," Foerster said.

Foerster was pleased he had the chance to contribute to the community he and his family are so closely tied to.

"I've been part of Mendham all my life. I grew up here, my wife grew up here. We raised our children here and they went through the Mendham schools," Foerster said. "I just wanted to give something back."