AVM Honors Centenary’s First Lady with Wreath & Tree of Life

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - Retired U.S.

Army Col. Jeanne Murphy of Hackettstown was remembered and honored on Monday morning, May 29, following the 2023 Memorial Remembrance Day Ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial in Budd Lake.

The late wife of Centenary University President Dr. Bruce Murphy, Jeanne Murphy was an advocate for Centenary University and veterans. The AVM organized an Honorable Service Ceremony to recognize her years of service.

AVM Founder Charlie Wood Uhrmann gave the opening remarks at the Honorable Service Ceremony, which in the military is held when a warrior is Killed In Action. Its purpose is to acknowledge a person’s military service and to demonstrate gratitude to the fallen’s surviving family members so that they know their loved one’s service and sacrifice was not in vain.

“The intent is to help the grieving families and friends with the healing process,” says Uhrmann.

“We have selected U.S. Army Sergeant Luis Mattacastro of Hackettstown to deliver Col. Murphy’s accolades,” she

MOUNT adds. “We plan to lay a Memorial Wreath at the Prayer Garden bench that she and her husband Dr. Bruce Murphy sponsored and dedicate a Tree of Life in her memory and support.”

Dr. Murphy laid the memorial wreath to honor his late wife who died on Sunday, Jan. 8, of injuries suffered as the victim of a hit-and-run accident a day earlier while on her morning walk near her home. She was 70. Murphy was laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery on Wednesday, April 12.

The Murphys had been involved at the AVM in more recent years through sponsorship and as speakers.

When Jeanne Murphy took her first tour of the AVM, her “reaction was one of great respect and admiration,” says Uhrmann. “Jeanne was a bit surprised that Centenary was not more involved but vowed to change that. From that moment on, Jeanne and Bruce participated in our Memorial Remembrance Day and our POW/ MIA 24 Vigil. Last year Jeanne and Bruce sponsored a bench at the Reflection Sanctum; laid memorial wreaths and installed their own Honorable Service

Pavers.

“Jeanne was our first combat female Keynote Speaker at the 2022 Memorial Remembrance Day Ceremony,” adds Uhrmann. “Col. Murphy delivered a compelling speech regarding the historical role women played on the battle field. From that point forward, Col. Murphy offered to play an active role in the volunteerism and planning stages of the memorial and POW/MIA events; attended the AVM Awards Ceremony; and began assisting in the planning stages of the 2023 Memorial Remembrance Day Ceremony.

“One of Jeanne’s goals was to cultivate a strong relationship between the AVM and Centenary and to reinstitute the Veterans SVO organization at the university,” she adds.

How fitting that the Centenary University Alumni dedicated the Tree of Life.

Since 100% of the All-Veterans Memorial is being funded by private donations – Centenary University Alumni offered to sponsor a tree in Jeanne’s memory.

“Similar to all sponsorships, a beautiful denotation (plaque) with Col. Jeanne Murphy and our organization’s name will be permanently set at the tree denoting your contribution,” Uhrmann advises the alumni group. “I know this would mean a lot to Jeanne to see Centenary University represented at the AVM. The $500 sponsorship would cover the cost of the tree and plaque.

“Within only a couple of years, the tree will cascade over Jeanne and Bruce’s memorial bench,” adds Uhrmann. “The tree, I believe, is an excellent symbol of Jeanne’s strength, resilience and contribution to society. Like the many memories we all hold dear of Jeanne, the tree will continue Jeanne’s gift of life and giving heart.”

Uhrmann says “I am planning to plant a tree in Jeanne’s honor near the bench she and Bruce sponsored at the prayer

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