On the morning of July 1, 2026, the lawn in front of Dwight Manor in Englewood, New Jersey held two full centuries of American history in the same frame. Revolutionary War reenactors in tricorn hats stood alongside members of the New Jersey National Guard in modern uniform. Standing side by side, it was a living reminder that citizen-soldiers 250 years apart have answered the same call, the founders to build this country and every generation since to protect the freedom it created. The celebration, hosted by Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. founding Partner Samuel L. Davis, Esq., honored the 100th anniversary of Dwight Manor, a landmark Englewood apartment building, alongside the 250th birthday of the United States, also known as the Semiquincentennial.
Dwight Manor has been a fixture in Englewood since 1926, standing as one of the city’s longest running residential landmarks. Its centennial lands in the same year the country marks 250 years of independence, a convergence that gave the celebration’s July 1st date even more significance. For Sam Davis, the longtime resident of the building, Dwight Manor is not just a piece of real estate, but a piece of Englewood where generations of families have lived their lives and grown together. The event was a culmination of history and an opportunity to thank the people who served in both the past and present.
Heard’s Brigade and Three Combat Veterans Bring History to Life
The program brought together two very different groups of citizen-soldiers separated by 250 years. Heard’s Brigade, a Revolutionary War reenactment unit, arrived in full period dress with muskets, wool coats, and hand sewn flags from the 1776 era. Standing alongside them were three combat veterans of the New Jersey National Guard, who served as the guests of honor representing our servicemen and servicewomen of today.
The event also welcomed Sgt. First Class David Morreira, a client and friend of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., who recently returned from a dangerous fourth deployment in the Middle East stationed at an outpost that regularly came under enemy fire. Despite a seriously injured back from a car accident, David remained committed to serving alongside his fellow Guardsmen in Able Company and fulfilled that commitment with courage and dedication. His presence at the ceremony brought the deeper meaning behind the proclamation into focus. The freedom being celebrated on Dwight Manor’s lawn was earned by warriors like him and the countless Americans who have served across generations, and their sacrifice deserves the same recognition as the freedom it created.
Longtime Dwight Manor residents, neighbors from around Englewood, local business owners, and friends of the firm were all in attendance at the event. Guests, especially the children, were fascinated by their interaction with reenactors and Guard members .they were able to experience history in a way no textbook could replicate.
Mayor Michael Wildes Signs an Official Englewood Proclamation
The centerpiece of the ceremony came when Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes presented an official proclamation naming July 1st a day of celebration in the City of Englewood, New Jersey. The proclamation acknowledges Dwight Manor’s prominence and marks both its 100th year and the 250th anniversary of the United States, making the day part of the city’s permanent civic record.
The mayoral proclamation put into writing what Englewood residents have always known, that Dwight Manor and the community around it helped build the foundation of this town and remain its beating heart today. Mayor Wildes used his remarks to speak about the responsibility a city carries to remember its own history, and the men and women who have defended the freedom that made building any of it possible.
Reflecting on the morning, Samuel L. Davis, Esq. shared these thoughts with the crowd. “It is a true honor to stand here with our neighbors, our servicemembers, and our friends, remembering the men and women who fought for our freedom and celebrating a building that has quietly held a century of Englewood’s history. Dwight Manor is more than a landmark. It is a milestone, and so is this country, and days like today remind us that heritage is something we get to carry forward together.”
Commemorating the Pivotal Role of Heard’s Brigade With A Musket Salute
The men of the Second Regiment stood between General Washington and the British Army as he was forced to abandon Fort Lee. The British were in hot pursuit, hoping to end the war by trapping Washington’s troops before they could cross the Hackensack River. Their role as a determined rear guard delayed the British advance long enough for Washington’s army to cross the Hackensack River at New Bridge and continue its fighting retreat across New Jersey. That precious time preserved the Continental Army from destruction and enabled Washington to regroup, cross the Delaware River, and, on the night of December 25–26, 1776, launch the surprise attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton—a victory that revived the Patriot cause and changed the course of the American Revolution.
What the Day Meant for Englewood
The celebration tied together what Englewood residents value most, its history, its service members, and the civic traditions that keep both alive. Dwight Manor’s centennial adds the building to a short list of Bergen County properties that have reached the 100 year mark while remaining active and occupied. Heard’s Brigade and the three combat veterans of the New Jersey
National Guard represented both ends of American service, the ones who founded this country and the ones who continue to defend it. The celebration honored both pillars of the community, and along with the signed proclamation, July 1 will hold a place in Englewood history long after the flags come down.
About the Samuel L. Davis, Esq., and the Firm
Samuel L. Davis, Esq. is the founding Partner of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. and a resident of Dwight Manor. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. based in Teaneck, NJ has represented injured clients across Bergen County and the rest of New Jersey for more than four decades, serving residents of Englewood, Hackensack, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Bergenfield, and Paramus. The firm’s participation in Englewood community events reflects its long history in the area as a locally rooted New Jersey personal injury firm, and days like this one are a reminder that its roots run far deeper than any case file.
Whether you have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, product recall, or require representation for a claim, the personal injury attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. offer compassionate, skilled legal representation to ensure you receive the proper compensation.
Clients seeking experienced personal injury lawyers in Teaneck, NJ, or the surrounding Bergen County area can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 1-800-LAW-2000 or via email at info@dsslaw.com. The firm offers free consultations, and second opinions, and has offices throughout New Jersey and New York City. Sometimes, a simple call can make a big difference in how you recover and move forward.
