Matawan brings back Memorial Day Parade

MATAWAN - Memorial Day, to be celebrated this year on May 26, not only honors American war veterans, but will see the return of the borough of Matawan's Memorial Day Parade.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. Clement parking lot on Route 79.

According to the borough's new parttime recreation director ,Elizabeth Aguilar, proceeding down Main Street will be local groups such as local veterans, Scouts, local churches, the Babe Ruth Little League and Matawan-Aberdeen girls softball team, the Matawan- Aberdeen 4-H Club, Matawan Regional High School marching band, the police and fire departments and the mayor and Borough Council.

The parade route will end at Memorial Park at the corner of Broad Street and Main Street with a short ceremony honoring the dedication of American service men and women.Aguilar expects the ceremony to kick off around noon.

This year James Duffy serves as the parade's grand marshal. According to Aguilar, Duffy was drafted in 1953 during the KoreanWar and served his country at the Panama Canal. Duffy has been active in the community for more than 44 years as a member of the Hook and Ladder Company on Broad Street and has been active in local, county, state and international fire chiefs associations. In 2001 Duffy was inducted into the Matawan Regional High School Hall of Fame for his work in the community.

The Matawan Recreation Department invites any local veterans wishing to participate. Veterans should arrive at the St. Clement parking lot at 10:30 a.m. on Monday morning.

Questions and special requests should be directed toAguilar at 732-566- 3898, ext. 130.