MANASQUAN — From Broad Street to Squan Plaza, the Memorial Day Parade and ceremony drew hundreds of spectators to Manasquan to enjoy a day outside, while paying homage to fallen United States veterans.
This year, residents and visitors of all ages flocked to Main Street and watched as hundreds of marchers from local civic organizations and groups participated in the parade, organized by Manasquan Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1838.
“It was one of the nicest parades we’ve ever had. It’s not about the parade or the people who are in it, it’s about Memorial Day. It’s about the veterans that lost their lives since the Civil War, it’s about remembering those who passed away and sacrificed their lives so that we could enjoy the freedom we have today,” VFW post commander Glenn Miller said.
The parade stepped off outside the Manasquan Board of Education building at 10:30 a.m. and traveled down Broad Street and then turned on to Main Street, where a roaring and patriotic crowd eagerly awaited the arrival of the procession. The parade continued down Main Street and turned right down V Miller Preston Way and ended in front of the memorial in Manasquan Plaza.
This year’s parade included organizations and groups from throughout Manasquan and beyond, including the Manasquan Elks, Woman’s Club of Manasquan, the Manasquan Borough Mayor and Council, athletes from the Manasquan Brielle Little League, local fire departments, the first aid squad, local Boy and Girl Scout troops and more.
In addition to local groups and organizations, the parade featured a variety of representation from the United States military veterans through the participation and guidance of members of VFW Post 1838.
“We had so many people who wanted to be involved this year; it was so nice to see the support in town from everybody. It worked out really well. There’s so many different local organizations involved, it can be complicated, but it went off really without a hitch. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the cooperation from everyone in town that’s involved,” Miller said.
The grand marshal of this year’s Manasquan Memorial Day parade was 91-year-old Coast Guard veteran Jerry Dunn, who served in the Korean War. Dunn sat in the front seat of one of the military jeeps at Monday’s parade alongside fellow members of VFW Post 1838.
SQUAN PLAZA MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
Following the parade, the procession and attendees remained in Squan Plaza for an official Memorial Day service conducted by the VFW. Miller welcomed everyone to Squan Plaza following the parade and introduced Col. Jim Bagley who spoke to the hundreds of attendees about the importance of Memorial Day.
“Memorial Day is not a celebration, or about picnics, or big sales, or even the unofficial beginning of summer. Memorial Day is a sacred and noble commemoration that this nation dedicated to remembering those military personnel who perished while serving in the military. Memorial Day is an enduring commitment that is part of the fabric and legacy of our nation,” Bagley said.
Bagley detailed the United States of America’s history of conflicts, domestic and foreign, beginning with the Civil War, which Memorial Day was born out of due to the loss of over 600,000 American soldiers. Detailing the loss of American citizens in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, Desert Shield and the Gulf War, Bagley said, “Memorial Day is a solemn day because it commemorates the tragic loss, either in military conflict or training in preparation for conflict. Memorial Day is a reminder of the horrible nature of war and the misery and suffering that war brings both to combatants and civilians.”
Bagley paid homage to Brielle resident and Manasquan High School class of 2006 graduate Ronald Alan Kubik, who died at the age of 21 in the Logar province of Afghanistan during combat operations.
“I share this not to open a wound, but to say Sgt. Ronald Alan Kubik’s name out loud with respect and honor, so people will know and remember the loss of this 21-year-old life and the enormous sacrifices of his loving family and friends,” Bagley said.
In conclusion, Bagley said to the crowd, “So I say thank you for showing up. Thank you for the values you demonstrate and teach your children. Thank you for the years of formation you provide, the sacrifices you show them and the love of country you inspire in them.”
Following Bagley’s speech, representatives from different service organizations laid wreathes at the base of several of the monuments in Squan Plaza. The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps on the balcony of the Manasquan Hook and Ladder Co. #1 building.
Afterwards, VFW Post 1838 hosted attendees for a barbeque at its headquarters on Ridge Avenue.
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