Memorial Day parade to fete career military officers

Carrying out the theme of honoring retired career military officers, the Memorial Day parade’s four grand marshals represent the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Air Force.

By:Lea Kahn Staff Writer
   Retired career military officers will be honored Saturday when the annual Memorial Day parade steps off promptly at 10 a.m. on Princeton Pike at Stonicker Drive, according to township Superintendent of Recreation Steven Groeger.
   The Memorial Day event also will acknowledge the 225th birthday of U.S. Navy Capt. James Lawrence, a hero of the War of 1812 and the man for whom Lawrence Township is named, Mr. Groeger said. Lawrence was originally known as Maidenhead Township, but the township’s name was changed in 1816 in honor of the Navy hero.
   The parade route follows Princeton Pike to Darrah Lane, Birchwood Knoll and Berwyn Place. The reviewing stand will be located on Berwyn Place at Oakland Terrace. A short ceremony will be held at the end of the parade in Veterans Park.
   Several streets will be closed during the parade, according to the Lawrence Township Police Department. Those streets include Princeton Pike between I-95 and Darrah Lane, and Darrah Lane between Princeton Pike and Lawrence Road. Birchwood Knoll and Berwyn Place also will be closed while the parade is in progress.
   Carrying out the theme of honoring retired career military officers, the Memorial Day parade’s four grand marshals represent the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Groeger said.
   The four grand marshals are: retired Maj. Gen. Howard Louderback, U.S. Army Reserves; retired Capt. W. Barry Nixon, U.S. Navy Reserves; retired Lt. Col. David Donahue, U.S. Marines Corps; and retired Major Stephen Arnold, U.S. Air Force.
   In keeping with the theme of honoring Capt. Lawrence’s birthday, retired Rear Adm. H. Kirk Unruh Jr., U.S. Navy has been tapped to be the honorary parade grand marshal. He also will be the guest speaker at the service in Veterans Park, Mr. Groeger said.
   When the last of the marchers reaches Veterans Park, a wreath will be placed at the Veterans Memorial, Mr. Groeger said. During the ceremony that follows, mothers whose children were killed fighting in various wars will be recognized, as will the families of soldiers and sailors who were held as prisoners of war, or who are still missing.
   The late Joseph File, a retired U.S. Marines Corps Reserve officer and township resident who served as the parade’s honorary grand marshal for more than 15 years, also will be honored, Mr. Groeger said. Lt. Col. Donahue will offer a eulogy for Col. File, who died earlier this year.
   Marchers include color guards from the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Lawrence Township Police Department, Mr. Groeger said.
   Veterans groups, including American Legion Post 414 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3022, will march. Two U.S. Marines Corps corporals — Dan Lookner and Michael Ludwig — also will march.
   Township resident William Agress will portray Revolutionary War hero Col. Edward Hand, whose men held off an advance of British and Hessian troops marching south through Lawrence on Jan. 2, 1777 — a maneuver that protected Gen. George Washington’s troops in Trenton. The Lawrence Historical Society also will participate in the parade.
   The Lawrence Township public schools will send representatives to participate in the parade, including the four elementary schools and Lawrence Intermediate School. St. Ann’s School and Notre Dame High School also will be represented.
   Community groups marching in the parade include Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, along with the Knights of Columbus, the Garden Gate Garden Club, the Lawrence Lions, the Red Hat Society and the Mom’s Clubs of Lawrenceville East and West.
   The marchers will be accompanied by music, provided by the Lia Fail Pipes and Drums, the Red Baron Brass Band and the Lawrence High School Red Scare Band.
   The Lawrenceville, Lawrence Road and Slackwood volunteer fire companies and the Lawrence Township First Aid Squad plan to participate in the parade.