By David Kilby, Staff Writer
The 128th Jamesburg, Monroe and Helmetta Memorial Day parade will start at Veterans Park in Jamesburg at 10 a.m. Monday.
”It’s one parade representing three towns,” said Jamesburg Council Barbara Carpenter and chairwoman of public events.
Led by the Jamesburg Police Department, the parade will feature Central Jersey Police and Fire Pipes and Drums from Linden, Sons of the Union Civil War re-enactors, the Monroe High School Band, Mt. Ararat Baptist Church Choir from Monroe and “The Lincoln Coach”, a stagecoach built by James Buckelew, founder of Jamesburg, and used by President Abraham Lincoln during his visit to Trenton in 1861.
The parade will have at least 44 marching units, including units representing Boy Scouts and emergency personnel, and people still can sign up to march in the parade, Ms. Carpenter said.
”They can come the morning of,” she said.
The Memorial Day Parade Committee will have refreshments at the firehouse after the parade.
Before the parade, starting at 7:30 a.m., there also will be a memorial ceremony. Wreaths will be placed at the local cemeteries, at Veterans Park and at Borough Hall.
Allan Brown, commander of the American Legion Star Post 127 of Jamesburg, Jamesburg Council President Otto Kostbar and the Rev. Gary Philson, of the First Presbyterian Church in Jamesburg, all will give short speeches at the ceremony, Ms. Carpenter said.
”Allan has worked so hard on this parade,” she added. “We hope everyone comes out. The weather is supposed to be in the ‘80s. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the memory of our armed services, and it’s a perfect day to be together with your family, friends and neighbors and to honor all those who serve and are serving.
She said, “That’s what Memorial Day is all about; to honor the special veterans and special service men and women, who unselfishly gave up their lives for our country and those who served in the past and those currently serving.”

