Soldiers in uniform, veterans bedecked with medals, scores of school children and other civic groups marched in support of local veterans on Saturday.
By:Jennifer Potash Managing Editor
Veterans of past and present wars and conflicts were feted and thanked by Lawrence residents Saturday morning during the township’s annual Memorial Day parade.
And many of the veterans, including the parade’s grand marshal, retired U.S. Marine Corps. Col. Joseph File, traversed the parade route in luxury convertibles.
"I love this ride," called out one veteran from a sleek silver roadster.
The day’s festivities, set amid the backdrop of a warm sunny day with clear blue skies, featured over 100 participants including veterans groups, civic organizations, athletic leagues and schools as well as current members of the Armed Forces. The parade and following memorial service were organized by the Lawrence Township Recreation Department, American Legion Post 414 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3022.
The veterans offered snappy salutes to the officials on the viewing platform at Oaklyn Place, who then saluted right back.
Color guards from the U.S. Marines Golf Battery, 3rd Battalion of the 14th Marine Division at Fort Monmouth and from the Lawrence Township Police Department marched in time as the Freedom Brass Band played patriotic songs.
Drawing sustained cheers and applause were three recently returned soldiers from the Iraq war Dan Lookner, Justin Kitts and Brian Bunn, all members of the U.S. Marine Corps and Lawrence residents.
Each of the Lawrence Township public schools sent a sizable contingent of students. Eldridge Park Elementary School students waved from a parade float while Ben Frankin Elementary School students rode bikes and scooters decorated in red, white and blue ribbons. Slackwood Elementary School students proudly walked behind a banner that gave thanks to all the veterans and played "Yankee Doodle Dandy" on recorders.
The Lawrence Intermediate School’s Dance Team performed one of their routines.
St. Ann School students also marched wearing their school colors of gold and blue.
The Lawrence High School’s Red Scare band offered a repertoire of popular and classic hits to the crowd lining the tree-shaded neighborhood streets.
The Lawrence Historical Society and the Garden Gate Garden Club led colorful floats paying homage to the community’s rich history and horticultural bounty.
Lawrence Township Council members Rick Miller and Greg Puliti marched along with Mayor Pam Mount and Mercer County Surrogate Diane Gerofsky. The parade wound up at the Veterans Park where parade-goers enjoyed hot dogs and sodas provided by the Recreation Department.
Later, at a service held the Veterans Park, U.S. Army Col. Dennis D’Angelo, a Lawrence native now stationed in Germany, urged the gathered crowd to support not just local men and women serving in the Armed Forces, but their families.
"No matter what you think about the war, please support the troops," Col. D’Angelo said. "It’s hard when you’re over there and you can’t take care of your family."
Offering to mow the lawn or help with other household chores for the military spouse or family at home does help ease the worry for the solider overseas, Col. D’Angelo said.
The ceremony featured members of local Girl Scout troops leading the Pledge of Allegiance, military marches and other patriotic tunes performed by the Lawrence Community Band and the traditional laying of wreaths at the memorial monument.
Col. D’Angelo also thanked Clara Dickerson, the mother of Douglas Dickerson who died in the Vietnam War, and Theresa Macheda, sister of Daniel DiSylvester, who is listed as missing in action from the Korean War, for their sacrifices.
Mayor Mount thanked the residents for taking the time to remember the veterans and current service members.
"I am so gratified to see all the children and all of us coming together to remember," Mayor Mount said. "(The veterans) made it possible for us to enjoy this wonderful life we have."
George F. Johnson Jr., a veteran and member of VFW Post 3022 who served as master of ceremonies for "the umpteenth time," urged the audience to always remember to support the troops and their families.
"This Iraq war is a fiasco and we’re sending more and more of our men to die over there," he said. "I am praying for them, wherever they might be, and for their families."
After the names of 19 Lawrence residents who died during wars and conflicts were read, the service concluded with flag and firing details provided by the members of the U.S. Marines and the playing of taps by the Lawrence Community Band.