By John Tredrea, Special Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — Stacy Rose, a veteran of the Vietnam War who served in the United States Marine Corps, Air Force and Army, will be the grand marshal of Lambertville’s Memorial Day Parade on May 27.
Mr. Rose joined the United States Marine Corps just before the cease-fire in Korea, where he was assigned for eight months as a sergeant in the Infantry division before returning to the United States.
His tours of duty included Cuba and Puerto Rico.
After his discharge from the Marines, Mr. Rose joined the United States Air Force, attained the rank of staff sergeant and completed tours of duty throughout the United States, Europe and Vietnam.
While serving in the Air Force, he was deployed to Vietnam and completed 58 tours over Vietnam while under fire before he was injured in battle. He ended his 27½-year career in the military, serving in the United States Army where he earned the rank of master sergeant in charge of recruiting for a command in New Jersey.
Mr. Rose received many awards during his military career, including the Korean Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Outstanding Unit Medal, National Defense Medal, Overseas Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal for 58 missions flown over Vietnam while under heavy fire as a helicopter gunner.
The Memorial Day Parade will begin promptly at 9 a.m. at the corner of North Union and Cherry streets on May 27.
Invited guests include Congressman Leonard Lance, Sen. Shirley Turner, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, Mayor David Del Vecchio, Council President Steven Stegman, Councilwoman Beth Asaro, Councilman Ward Sanders, Councilwoman Elaine Warner and various other local, county and state dignitaries.
All participants are asked to start arriving at 8:15 a.m. at the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy located on Cherry Street in Lambertville.
Emergency service vehicles are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. and to start lining up on the west side of Main Street north of the Cherry Street intersection.
Community organizations are encouraged to attend and participate. Students of the area schools are welcome to join in with floats, bands, and decorated bicycles.
Step off is at 9 a.m. sharp with the lineup 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.
Mayor Del Vecchio and City Council members will host a Memorial Commemorative Ceremony honoring all those who served their country with a special guest speaker in Mary Sheridan Park.
Immediately following the ceremony, all are invited to the American Legion for the annual picnic.
