wMARLBORO — Efforts made by the Marlboro Township Veterans and Volunteers Committee have resulted in the resumption of a Memorial Day parade.
Committee Chairman Jim Mione and other members of the veterans panel spoke about the parade during the March 19 meeting of the Township Council.
Mione said some of Marlboro’s World War II veterans expressed a desire for a MemorialDay parade to be held in the township. He said members of the Veterans and Volunteers Committee got together to organize a parade for this year.
Marlboro’s parade will be held on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day, May 17 at noon. Memorial Day will be celebrated on May 25.
Mione said the parade route has not yet been finalized, but said it looks like the parade will start in front of the Marlboro firehouse at the corner of Route 79 and School Road West and work its way along School Road West to the municipal complex on Wyncrest Road.
Mione, a former township councilman, said the parade will serve as a great kickoff to the summer season and it will “also show honor and respect to those who have served this great country. And mostly importantly, those who made the supreme sacrifice of life for freedom.”
Committee members are hoping to hold a service at the veterans memorial after the parade to lay a wreath for Marlboro’s fallen heroes.
Mione said the members of the Veterans and Volunteers Committee are working with Deputy Mayor Huimin Shen and the Community Events Committee to organize the parade. The two groups are seeking donations and sponsors to try and keep costs at a minimum.
The parade is expected to feature the Marlboro police honor guard and members from all the armed services. Committee members are getting in touch with residents of Marlboro who have served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as any other veterans residing in the township.
Mione said the committee has reached out to local high schools to have the involvement of marching bands, and it is also seeking to have fire trucks and first aid responders present. Local Scouts may also walk in the parade. Mione said the committee is seeking a grand marshal for the day.
Councilman Jeff Cantor thanked the committee members for bringing back the parade that he said he remembers from when he first moved to Marlboro.
For more information, or to make a donation or to help sponsor the parade, contact Jim Mione at 908-907-6768.