The Memorial Day ceremony will take place on May 30 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Field off South Church Street. As in years past, many make the ceremony special and reflective. A member of the Moorestown High School band will play taps.
Judy Young, Goldstar Mother, will read the recitation of the names of the 41 soldiers from Moorestown. As each name is called, a girl scout will lay a flower on the memorial wreath.
The Invocation and Benediction will be given by Rev. Dr. Gina Hendrickson, Lead Pastor, United Methodist Church of Moorestown. Post 42 of the American Legion, led by William H. Synder, will fire the gun salute to honor those lost. Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie, a veteran and graduate of the Naval Academy, will open the ceremony.
This year’s speaker will be Fred Young who will reflect on his experience of the Vietnam War. Young attended Air Force Officer Training School in Texas and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1962. He served in Maine at an Air Defense Command headquarters and was assigned to Takhli Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand during the Vietnam War build up. When he arrived, there were 500 Air Force staff and by the end of the same year, that number had increased to 5,000 in the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing.
Young received both his master’s degree and doctorate in educational administration from Temple University in the late 60’s, both under the GI Bill. He dedicated his post-military life to serve in the New Jersey public school system, beginning as a high school English teacher and went on to be an assistant principal, a Director of Curriculum and Instruction and finally as a Deputy Superintendent of Schools.
Young is an avid amateur historian and was integral in getting the town center of Moorestown listed on the New Jersey as well as the National Register of Historic Places. He is well versed in Moorestown history and architecture, having lectured and led tours in Moorestown.
Please join us, rain or shine, to honor our local and all U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces.
36th Annual Memorial Day Ceremonies: May 30, 2022
Musical Prelude – Moorestown High School Band
Posting of Colors – Boy Scout Troop #44
Pledge of Allegiance – Cub Scouts # 44
National Anthem – Moorestown High School Band
Invocation – Rev. Dr. Gina Hendrickson, Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Welcome – Mayor Nicole Gillespie
Main Speaker – Dr. Fred Young
Roll Call and Remembrance – Mrs. Judith Young, past president, AGSM and Moorestown Community Girl Scouts
Military Salute – William H. Snyder, Post 42, American Legion. Gene Clark, Commander
TAPS – Moorestown High School Band
Benediction – Rev. Dr. Gina Hendrickson, Pastor, FUMC
Musical Conclusion – Donna Banes
