American Legion Post 38 invites veterans, service members and residents to the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28 at 10 a.m. and a Memorial Service after the Parade.
American Legion Post 38 invites veterans, service members and residents to the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28 at 10 a.m. and a Memorial Service after the Parade. Last year, the parade was to feature a flyover by two F16s from the 177th Fighter Wing, NJ National Guard; however, the parade and the flyover were cancelled because of the weather. Weather permitting, the flyover is scheduled again this year just before the parade steps off. The “Jersey Devils” stationed at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, will do the flyover , piercing the air 1,000 feet over the parade at 345 MPH.
Participants in the parade will form up on Kings Highway at Chestnut Street facing toward the high school. The flag vehicle with accompanying Boys Scouts and Cub Scouts start on the parade route at 10:40 am. The parade will step off promptly at 10 a.m. and make its way to the War Memorial in front of the HMHS. The parade will include the Post 38 Color Guard, the Mayor and Commissioners, the Post members, the High School Marching Band, local Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troops 64 & 65 and Cub Scout Packs 64 & 65, the Royaleers (Royaleer Mounties All-Girl Drum and Bugle Corps of Haddonfield), Haddon Fire Co. №1 and the Haddonfield Ambulance Association. The Royaleers (AKA Christ the King Cadets) were founded in1954 and remained active for 25 years, winning a VFW national title in 1968.
After the parade, a Memorial Service will be held at the War Memorial in front of the High School. The service will honor the fallen men and women of nine wars, from the American Revolution to the present-day conflict in the Middle East. The service will include military honors; Chaplain’s prayers by Pastor Wayne Zschech; remarks by Post 38 Commander Peter Hill; remarks by Mayor Neal Rochford; placement of flags for each war; a reading of “In Flanders Fields” by the HMHS Honor Society and music by the Pick-Up Band.
Hot dogs, sodas and ice cream will be provided after the service, courtesy of an anonymous donor.
If the parade is cancelled due to inclement weather, the memorial service will be conducted in the high school auditorium at 11 a.m.
Questions about the parade and memorial service should be directed to Tom Baird, Parade Director at (609) 923–1442.
