LAMBERTVILLE — The grand marshals for this year’s Memorial Day parade, which will honor veterans, have been picked.
They are:
— Gale Casey, of Lambertville. A seaman first class, U.S. Navy, he served in World War II and received the Captain’s Commendation and Presidential Citation.
— James Bishop, of Lambertville. A seaman first class, U.S. Navy Reserves, he served in World War II and received the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Medal.
— Raymond DiCrescenzo, of New Hope. A staff sergeant, U.S. Army, Quartermaster Corps, he served in World War II and received two battle stars for North Africa and Italy campaigns and six service stripes.
The parade and commemorative ceremony, immediately following the parade at Mary Sheridan Park, will be held Monday (May 28).
All participants are asked to start arriving at 8:15 a.m. at the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy located on Cherry Street, Lambertville.
Emergency service vehicles should arrive at 8:30 a.m. and start lining up on the west side of South Main Street north of the Cherry Street intersection.
Community organizations are encouraged to attend and participate. Students of area schools are welcome to join in with floats, bands, and decorated bicycles.
Step off is at 9 a.m. sharp with the line up starting at the corner of North Union and Cherry streets. The parade route will stay the same as in previous years, starting at North Union and Cherry streets, traveling south on Union Street to Mount Hope Street, then north on Main Street to York Street and ending at Mary Sheridan Park.
AT MARY SHERIDAN PARK, Mayor David Del Vecchio and City Council members will host a Memorial Commemorative Ceremony honoring all those who served their country.
The ceremony will include a special guest speaker, Warren George, who was born and raised in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. He entered the U.S. Air Force in November 1959.
After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, he attended weather observer school at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois.
His first assignment was Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, followed by assignments to: Korea, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and McGuire Air Force Base. He retired in April 1985 as a master meteorologist after serving over 25 years of active duty.
After retiring, he was hired as a civilian forecaster at McGuire in November 1985. He retired again in April 2006.
He joined VFW Post 6590 as a life member in November 1996 and served two years as commander, earning the All-State award each year. In 2007-08 he served as District 11 commander, earning All-State award (team captain) and All-American award. He has served on many state and national committees. He was the chief of staff for All-American State Commander Donnie Wine (2004-05) and All-American State Commander Bob Pinto (2007-08).
He has served as Department of New Jersey Military Assistance Program chairman since the program began. He was national vice chairman (2007-08 and 2008-09). He also served on the New Jersey State Family Readiness Council.
He is a life member of the Military Order of the Cootie (serving Veterans Administration Hospital veterans), the American Legion, the Korean War Veterans, the VFW National Home, the Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association and the Air Weather Association.
He is now senior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New Jersey. The Department has over 40,000 members.
IMMEDIATELY following the ceremony, all are invited to the American Legion post home for the annual picnic.
All questions about the parade should be directed to the Clerk’s Office by calling 609-397-0110 or sending an e-mail to [email protected].
— Ruth Luse

