jimnyc
07-03-2015, 04:01 PM
But not in a way you would imagine. And more than just the police. This is the city next to where Jeff and I grew up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em3yWbgPwvc
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Boy's 'Honk for USA' sign draws impromptu parade from Rahway police, fire, others
RAHWAY — His homemade sign was asking for drivers to simply "Honk for the USA," but a Rahway teen got a lot more than that on Thursday.
A sudden parade of sirens and lights came streaming through the corner of Franklin Street and Harold Avenue around 2 p.m. after Rahway officials organized to drive by 14-year-old Shpejtim Zenelaj's patriotic display.
The two-minute-long procession included Rahway police cruisers, fire engines, ambulances, Humvees, DPW trucks and dozens more city vehicles.
Shpejtim Zenelaj and his cousins have been outside holding the sign and waving flags at the intersection since Sunday and plan to continue until July 4.
"I really love this country, and I think that it's important other people know what we are doing, and I hope other people are inspired," Zenelaj told NJ Advance Media. "So many kids now sit inside all day or just play video games."
Zenelaj's parents emigrated from Kosovo and have lived in Rahway for more than 20 years. Zenelaj, who will be a freshman at Rahway High School next year, is a self-proclaimed history buff and hopes to one day become a U.S. senator.
"I've been to Kosovo and Albania and third-world countries," Zenelaj said. "Sometimes the electricity doesn't work or there is no running water. And here, you always have lights and water. I think more people, especially kids, should appreciate that. You don't think about it when you flick a switch here and the lights go on. Over there, it's a miracle."
Zenelaj said he plans to continue holding up the sign tomorrow and has been outside almost all day every day since Sunday.
"We had 150 or so honks before today when we lost count," Zenelaj said. "It was the greatest day of my life. I almost wanted to cry it was so great. One of the officers said, 'It's really great that you're doing this and I really hope more people will get to see you and do things like what you're doing.'"
Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman said Zenelaj and his cousins' patriotism and endurance deserved the big show of recognition.
"For children to stand out here for a whole week straight is pretty impressive. We just wanted to thank them and show them if they put their minds to it they can do whatever," he told MyCentralJersey. "They actually made a difference today."
http://www.nj.com/union/index.ssf/2015/07/watch_rahway_police_fire_big_display_for_fourth_of .html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em3yWbgPwvc
---
Boy's 'Honk for USA' sign draws impromptu parade from Rahway police, fire, others
RAHWAY — His homemade sign was asking for drivers to simply "Honk for the USA," but a Rahway teen got a lot more than that on Thursday.
A sudden parade of sirens and lights came streaming through the corner of Franklin Street and Harold Avenue around 2 p.m. after Rahway officials organized to drive by 14-year-old Shpejtim Zenelaj's patriotic display.
The two-minute-long procession included Rahway police cruisers, fire engines, ambulances, Humvees, DPW trucks and dozens more city vehicles.
Shpejtim Zenelaj and his cousins have been outside holding the sign and waving flags at the intersection since Sunday and plan to continue until July 4.
"I really love this country, and I think that it's important other people know what we are doing, and I hope other people are inspired," Zenelaj told NJ Advance Media. "So many kids now sit inside all day or just play video games."
Zenelaj's parents emigrated from Kosovo and have lived in Rahway for more than 20 years. Zenelaj, who will be a freshman at Rahway High School next year, is a self-proclaimed history buff and hopes to one day become a U.S. senator.
"I've been to Kosovo and Albania and third-world countries," Zenelaj said. "Sometimes the electricity doesn't work or there is no running water. And here, you always have lights and water. I think more people, especially kids, should appreciate that. You don't think about it when you flick a switch here and the lights go on. Over there, it's a miracle."
Zenelaj said he plans to continue holding up the sign tomorrow and has been outside almost all day every day since Sunday.
"We had 150 or so honks before today when we lost count," Zenelaj said. "It was the greatest day of my life. I almost wanted to cry it was so great. One of the officers said, 'It's really great that you're doing this and I really hope more people will get to see you and do things like what you're doing.'"
Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman said Zenelaj and his cousins' patriotism and endurance deserved the big show of recognition.
"For children to stand out here for a whole week straight is pretty impressive. We just wanted to thank them and show them if they put their minds to it they can do whatever," he told MyCentralJersey. "They actually made a difference today."
http://www.nj.com/union/index.ssf/2015/07/watch_rahway_police_fire_big_display_for_fourth_of .html