By Lea Kahn
Lawrence Township’s annual Memorial Day parade will step off promptly at 10 a.m. May 28, from its starting point at Lawrence High School until it reaches its destination one-and-a-quarter miles later at Veterans Park.
The marchers, led by parade Grand Marshal Lt. Col. Robert K. Bryan of the N.J. Army Reserve National Guard, will march north on Princeton Pike and continue to Darrah Lane, Birchwood Knoll and Oaklynn Terrace to Veterans Park.
This year, the parade will recognize the N.J. Army National Guard’s 112th Field Artillery, which is based at the N.J. Army National Guard Armory on Eggerts Crossing Road. Lt. Col. Bryan is the battalion commander for the 3rd Battalion of the 112th Field Artillery.
Refreshments and a short program will follow at the end of the parade in Veterans Park, said Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of Recreation. The winner of the Lawrence Intermediate School essay contest “What Does Memorial Day Mean” will be announced.
If the Memorial Day parade is canceled because of the weather, a program will be held at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Post 414 headquarters on Berwyn Place, Mr. Groeger said. There is no rain date for the parade.
”We encourage people to come out in support of Memorial Day,” Mr. Groeger said. “Memorial Day recognizes those military service members who died in the service of their country. We hope people will come out along the parade route and show their support and display their patriotism.”
Color guards from the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy will lead the parade, Mr. Groeger said. William Agress, who portrays Col. Edward Hand, a Revolutionary War figure, also will march.
Community groups, such as the Lawrence Historical Society, the Knights of Columbus, and the Lawrence Lions, will participate. Veterans groups such as the American Legion Post 414, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3022 and the 112th Field Artillery Association, are expected to march.
Youth groups, such as Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, will be represented. Marchers from the Eggerts Crossing Village after-school program, the Garden Gate Garden Club and the Lawrence Community Center will take part.
Several school groups, including the Lawrence High School Madrigal, the Lawrence High School Red Scare marching band, the Lawrence Montessori School, St. Ann’s School Drama Club and the Slackwood, Eldridge Park and Ben Franklin elementary schools will participate.
And bringing up the rear of the parade will be the Lawrenceville, Lawrence Road and Slackwood volunteer fire companies with horns, sirens and lights flashing.
To check on the status of the Memorial Day parade, please check the Lawrence Township Web site at www.lawrencetwp.com or call the Lawrence Township Recreation Department at 609-844-7067.

