Medford’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Observances will be held on Monday, May 30, beginning at 11 a.m.
In a change begun last year, VFW Post №7677 is planning to perform memorial services at each of the three Medford Township cemeteries east of Main Street (Family Ministry at Branch and Filbert Streets, the Baptist Cemetery and the Odd Fellows Cemetery) on Saturday, May 28, in the usual sequence, commencing at noon. Accordingly, the parade route on Monday will not include stops at the cemeteries.
On Monday, the Parade will step off at 11 a.m. from Medford Memorial Middle School, and follow its traditional route up Mill Street, turning right on Trimble Street, then left onto Main Street, passing the Township’s Veterans Monuments on South Main Street next to the Medford Memorial Community Center at 21 South Main Street. It will then turn right on Branch Street, make a quick right on Charles Street, a right on Bank Street and a left turn into the public parking lot which extends behind the Community Center. The honor guard, wreath layers and VIPs will move to the Veterans Monuments and assume their stations for the ceremony. As soon as the last march unit in the parade passes the Community Center, Medford Police and the Master of Ceremonies will invite the public to the proximity of the Veterans Monuments for the official ceremony.
This year’s Grand Marshall is Robert “Bob” Martin. A lifelong resident of Medford, Bob graduated Lenape High School in 1965 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1966. Bob was stationed in Vietnam for one year and was a crew chief and door gunner on the Huey helicopters that were utilized in Vietnam combat. Upon his return to Medford, he obtained a college degree and served as a teacher in the Lenape Regional High School District for many years. He also served as a member of the township council and was mayor in 2011. He was also was a member of Medford’s Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. He is a life member of VFW Post 7677, and was active on the committee that brought the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to Freedom Park in 2006 and erected the permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Freedom Park that was dedicated in 2007.
VFW Post №7677 will host the activities in conjunction with Medford officials. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the VFW Hall located on Church Road at noon.
Parade participants include members of the VFW Post №7677, the Shawnee High School marching band, the Medford Police Department, Medford EMS, the Union and Taunton Fire Companies, the Civil Air Patrol-Air Victory Museum Composite Squadron, Medford Masonic Lodge Mo. 178, as well as many other public safety representatives and military re-enactment associations from neighboring communities.
The township council invites and encourages veterans to march in the parade or join them in a vehicle. Local Scout troops and civic organizations who wish to march in the parade are also encouraged to do so and should contact Beth Portocalis at bportocalis@medfordtownship.com or by calling (609) 654–2608 ext. 338. Also, participation in the parade on decorated bicycles is highly encouraged. Bikers should report to the Memorial Middle School staging area by 10:45 a.m., and must wear safety helmets.
The Medford Police advise that there will be temporary road closures during and along the Parade route.
For more information concerning Medford’s Memorial Day events, please call (609) 654–2608 ext. 338 or e-mail bportocalis@medfordtownship.com .
