Memorial Day Parade Plans

From the Chamber of Commerce:

On Monday, May 25th, Metuchen will celebrate with one of the area's longest established Memorial Day parades; originally held on May 30, 1927. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m., rain or shine, from the Pearl Street parking lot. It will proceed across Center St., turn right (north) onto Route 27, and right onto Main Street. It will continue through the tree-lined streets of beautiful Metuchen and turn right onto High Street and then right again onto Lake Avenue where it will end at Memorial Park with a brief ceremony. The year's speakers will be Rear Admiral Timothy Beard, III of the US Naval Reserve, Reverend Mark McCreary of Second Baptist Church, Middlesex County Freeholder Ronald Rios, and Father John Gloss of St. Francis Cathedral.

Two local artists will be performing: Metuchen High School Junior Samantha Cook, is a member of the Metuchen High School Footlighters, the Metuchen High School Color Guard, plays cello, has performed in the State Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and sings at many sporting events in Metuchen. Donald Claussen is a member of the Metuchen Reformed Church Choir and has performed lead roles in musical productions throughout the Northeast.

Memorial Day in Metuchen honors the lives of the forty-one Metuchen men who sacrificed their lives in our nation's wars and the many Metuchen men and women currently serving in the armed forces. The Memorial Day Parade Committee invites all veterans, community groups, scouts and youth groups to be a part of this very special day!

Our theme this year is "Honoring Our Veterans!" This year's grand Marshals are Daniel E. Robinson and Frank Woodruff, representing WWII; Charles (Al) Miller representing the Vietnam War; Bayard Smith representing Enduring Freedom; and Benjamin Baron representing Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Metuchen High School Band, under the leadership of John Morrison, the American Celts Pipes & Drums, the Hometown Brass Band, the Banjo Rascals, and an ensemble from St. Joseph High School, under the direction of Sal Ascolese, will inspire all those present.

Check store windows on Main Street to view the impressive artwork depicting the meaning of Memorial Day by our school children. The annual bicycle decorating contest, coordinated by the Recreation Commission, allows hundreds of children to ride their bikes in the parade. This popular component of our parade grows larger and more colorful each year.

For more information, please visit the Chamber website at www.metuchenchamber.com or call the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce at 732-548-2964.

2 Comments

Anonymous | May 25, 2009 12:42 PM | Reply

How can we find out when the Memorial Day activities will be on Metuchen TV?

Julie Walton Shaver | May 24, 2009 1:34 PM | Reply

I'll be roaming around before, during and after the parade taking lots of pictures for the Memorial Day slide show. Be sure to wave your flag if you see me and my camera! :D