Thanks to the hard work of the Fair Lawn Historic Preservation Committee and some concerned Fair Lawn children from the 4th grade class of 2007 the Historic Naugle House will be preserved for future generations.

The crowd stood shoulder to shoulder in the bitter cold like Continental troops celebrating a victory as Mayor Lisa Swain, County Freeholders John Driscoll, John Mitchell and John Felice, and other local and county dignitaries congratulated the citizens of Fair Lawn and Bergen County for saving this important piece of history. A reenactor stood guard with sabre at the ready as the speeches were recited.

The current plaque at the site states the following:

"This Colonial home was built in the 18th Century by a Naugle. He was said to have been a paymaster in Lafayette's Light Division. The house served as a landmark on many Revolutionary War maps. It is believed that Lafayette visited here in 1824. Sponsored by the College Club of Fairlawn (Fair Lawn misspelled)."

There is historical data which may lead to his visit having taken place in 1784, rather than 1824. Regardless, Lafayette was a French Marquis, promoted to Major General by General George Washington at the time of our nation's birth. He fought bravely in many battles and shed blood at the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777.

As a paymaster, Naugle would have performed an important function dealing in large sums of money and disbursing funds as directed.

There are sure to be many celebrations to come for the Naugle House and much work remains as the harsh weather of Bergen County has taken its toll on the aged structure. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 was also the 125th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty which was marked by celebrations at Battery Park.

All who came showed thier appreciation to those who saved the Naugle House. However at this event there was no Pledge of Allegiance, no red, white and blue bunting on the podium, no bugle calls, no outward indication of what country I was in. As the reenactor packed up I noticed the Air Force sticker on his car and I thanked him for his service and I planted a small American flag at the base of the Naugle plaque. Not quite Iwo Jima but I thought of those Marines and Corpsmen as I did it.

We must never forget what happened here in Bergen County, N.J., the Crossroads of the American Revolution. Fly Old Glory at every opportunity and pay respect to the colors and the Patriots who died for her defense. Pray for our brave men and women in harms way and hope that 227 years from now Bergen County will remember them for the blood they shed and the sacrifices they have made to preserve this great nation. History was made here in Fair Lawn, History is being made. Veterans Day is Friday Nov. 11, lest they be forgotten.