Col. Kenneth J. Baker,
president, Hopewell Valley
Veterans Association
Former Mayor Bill Wade once remarked about Pennington’s Memorial Day Parade that “half the town marches and the other half watches.” It was not so long ago that among the marchers would be a dozen or more veterans who donned their old uniforms and joined the parade to honor the day and recall their own service.
While many of Hopewell Valley’s some 1,500 veterans did march in the parade last year, they were in the uniforms of fire departments, rescue squads, police forces, Scout leaders, or fraternal organizations. Only one veteran marched in the uniform that recalled his service — in the Marines — a half century or so ago.
Uncle Sam still wants you. If you served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or the Coast Guard, or if you’re currently in the National Guard or the Reserves, please join the veterans’ ranks in Pennington’s parade on May 27. You can walk the route, ride a bike (as the late Dr. Milton Marian did from time to time), or ride in style on a truck or car that will be provided if you prefer the mechanized branches to the infantry these days.
Parade participants will form up at the HVRSD Administration Building on South Main Street in Pennington at 10:15 a.m. on May 27, and the parade will begin at 11 a.m. .
If you would like to ride in a truck or car, please call Col. Ken Baker at 462-4846 by May 22 to ensure that adequate transportation is on hand. .
Please note that the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association also will mark Memorial Day with a ceremony at Alliger Park on May 25 at 11 a.m. All are welcome.
