I figure that I'd post the article from today's transcript on the Memorial Day parade here, as Pizza Hut gave assistance.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0521/front_page/013.htmlMemorial Day parade to head down Main St.
FREEHOLD - The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee has announced that the 134th annual Memorial Day parade, to be held this year on May 26, will offer spectators lining Main Street in Freehold Borough some very special marching tributes to all American servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives in combat for the nation.
The theme for the 2008 Freehold Memorial Day parade is honoring America's Korean War Veterans.
Believed by many to be the oldest consecutive running Memorial Day parade in Monmouth County, this year's event will combine many traditional marchers such as fire department personnel, marching bands, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and armed force veterans organizations.
New groups that have been signed on to march down Main Street this year include, but are not limited to the Ancient Order of Hibernians (St. Oliver Plunkett, Div. 16), Sand Hill Indians, Plumsted Trail Riders, Freehold Kruisers Car Club, Never Ends Farm, St. Rose Youth Group and Gold Star Wives of America (Monmouth Chapter) who will ride in a car with local and county dignitaries toward the front of the procession.
The morning of May 26 will begin with the traditional service of reflection in memory of all Freehold and other American servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives defending the United States. The ceremony will begin at Elks Point (where Route 79 and Route 537 converge) at 8:30 a.m.
The parade will officially commence at 10 a.m. at Brinckerhoff Avenue and Main Street. The procession, estimated to last about one hour, will wind up at the Monmouth County Court House on Court Street. Leading the procession will be a farewell tableau featuring a casket draped in the U.S. flag, surrounded by military personnel demonstrating the true meaning of Memorial Day, according to a press release.
"Freehold Borough is proud to host such an extraordinary event that for more than a century celebrates and recognizes all our esteemed servicemen and servicewomen who fought bravely for our country, continuing to allow us our freedom and remaining the best nation in the world to live in," said Borough Councilman George Schnurr, the liaison to the parade committee. "Standing on Main Street, cheering our hometown heroes as they march proudly by is a moment of American pride we should all experience."
Alice McCobb, chair of the parade committee, said, "The number of new groups from around the county that want to march this year shows us how impactful our parade is. We work hard all year to ensure that we continue the momentum that leads up to a memorable parade for families. I live Memorial Day all year. It's so worth it."
This year will include a special dedication, Schnurr said. The day will feature a ceremony renaming Murray Street to Cpl. Phillip A. Reynolds Drive for Memorial Day only, as per a Borough Council proclamation bestowed upon the Marine Corps League Cpl. Phillip A. Reynolds Detachment.
"What makes this historic event for the borough so meaningful is that homeowners on Murray Street will be flying American flags in honor of Cpl. Reynolds, a local resident who was killed in action in Korea on Nov. 29, 1950," Schnurr said. "And, befitting our theme this year, there was no more perfect time to honor Cpl. Reynolds with immortality and posthumous appreciation than this Memorial Day."
