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 on its way until it reaches its destination at Veterans Park.
The marchers, led by parade Grand Marshal Shaun Sexton, will march north on Princeton Pike and continue on Darrah Lane, Birchwood Knoll and Oaklynn Terrace to Veterans Park.
The Memorial Day service, presented by American Legion Post 414, the 112th Field Artillery Association and the Lawrence Township Patriotic Committee, will be held at Veterans Park at the end of the march. Free refreshments will follow.
A new twist – a Memorial Day Parade decorating contest – has been added. Anyone can enter by decorating their bicycle, tricycle, scooter, stroller, wheelchair or wagon in patriotic style. The entry form is available by contacting the Lawrence Township Recreation Department.
Sexton, the parade grand marshal, is a Lawrence Township police sergeant. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves after graduation from McCorristan Catholic High School. He was called to active duty and served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2004 to March 2005.
Sexton was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army upon his return home. He was hired by the Lawrence Township Police Department in 2009, and is a patrol sergeant in the Patrol Division.
Sexton is the post commander for American Legion Post 458 (North Trenton Post) and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3022 in Lawrence Township.
Community groups, such as the Lawrence Historical Society, the Knights of Columbus Council 7000 and the Twin Pines Composite Squad, will march.
American Legion Post 414 and American Legion Post 458, as well as Lawrence Township military veterans, are expected to participate.
Youth groups, such as Boy Scout Pack 28 and the Lawrence Ewing Trenton Girl Scouts, will march. The Ben Franklin and Slackwood elementary schools and St. Ann’s School will also participate.
Youth sports groups, including the Lawrence Lacrosse Club, the Lawrence Junior Cardinals Football and Cheer, and the Lawrence Township Junior Baseball Softball Association, will march.
Music will be provided by the Shamrock and Thistle Pipes and Drums, and the Lawrence High School marching band.
The Lawrenceville Fire Co. and the Lawrence Road Fire Company, with horns, sirens and lights flashing, will bring up the rear of the parade.