To some, Memorial Day means the start of summer vacation, but for Haddonfield American Legion Post 38 members, the holiday means so much more.
“We’re a gung-ho post that believes in honoring our veterans and in particular on Memorial Day, which is for remembering people that died in defense of our country,” said American Legion Post 38 Memorial Day Chair Tom Baird.
That’s why on the Friday before Memorial Day and throughout the holiday weekend, Post 38 will once again be hosting and participating in a number of memorial activities in Haddonfield.
To start the holiday weekend, Post 38 members and local veterans will attend a memorial service at Haddonfield Memorial High School in the auditorium at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, May 22.
Later that evening at 6:30 p.m., Post 38 members and volunteers will place flags at the Baptist and Methodist cemeteries, and then on Sunday, May 24, Post 38 members will participate in the Haddonfield First Baptist Church service at 11 a.m.
On Memorial Day itself, Post 38 will hold a breakfast for members and guests from 7–9 a.m., followed by a ceremony for members and guests at 9 a.m.
Finally, capping off the Memorial Day weekend ceremonies will be Post 38’s annual Memorial Day Parade and memorial service on Monday, May 25.
Starting promptly at 10 a.m., the parade will begin at the intersection of Kings Highway and Chestnut Street and march toward its final destination of Haddonfield Memorial High School.
Returning for this year’s parade are the Post 38 Color Guard and members of Post 38, the HMHS marching band, the Haddonfield mayor and commissioners, Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troops 64 and 65, Cub Scout Packs 64 and 65, memorial service flag presenters, which include Daughters of the American Revolution, War of 1812 and Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the apparatus of Haddon Fire Co. №1 and the Ambulance Association.
Upon arriving at the war memorial in front of the high school, a memorial service will be held to honor the men and women who gave their lives throughout nine wars, dating back to the American Revolution to current conflicts in Afghanistan.
The service will include military honors, prayers, remarks from Post 38 Commander Joe McElroy, as well as Mayor Jeff Kasko, flags placed for each war, the HMHS honor society reading of “In Flanders Fields” and music by the Pick-Up Band.
Afterward, anonymously donated hot dogs, sodas and ice cream will be provided.
Should inclement weather cause the parade to be canceled, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in the high school auditorium.
In addition to its Memorial Day activities, Post 38 also has another upcoming avenue through which residents can help honor area veterans.
On Sunday, May 31 at 9 a.m. at Cooper River Park, Post 38 will be sponsoring its inaugural Veterans Haven 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk.
Proceeds will be used to provide support for Veterans Haven, a facility in Winslow that helps homeless and unemployed veterans with transitional housing assistance.
“The first year we don’t expect to make a whole lot of money, but this kind of thing builds where you have more and more people participate,” Baird said.
For those interested in the 5K or walk, fees are $25 per participant for those who pre-register by mail postmarked by Wednesday, May 27.
Applications are available by visiting the American Legion Post 38 website at www.h-a-s.org/al38/home.html, by emailing Baird at tombaird@comcast.net or by calling Race Director Jon Batchelor at (856) 428–1476. Interested participants can also register on the day of the event for $30.
