MANCHESTER – A large crowd came out to this year’s Memorial Day Parade that was held at World War II Park in the Whiting section of the township.
This year’s ceremony included a speech by Mayor Joseph Hankins. Several Township Council members were present along with members of the township’s Veterans Advisory Committee and the community’s police department and various fire companies and EMS units.
Township high school student Mari Siya sang during this year’s program that was coordinated by the township Recreation Department.
Councilwoman Sandy Drake helped out, utilizing some of her experience as a former police officer and helped direct parking at the event. “I enjoyed it and they all listened to me,” she said with a laugh during the latest council meeting held a day after Memorial Day.
“I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day,” Council Vice President James Vaccaro said during that meeting, “We always remember that we have pride in our township; Manchester Township is the gemstone of the Jersey Shore.”
Mari Siya sings during this year’s Memorial Day Program coordinated by the township Recreation Department. (Photo courtesy Frank Nicolato)
Councilman Craig Wallis noted the well-attended ceremony, commending Recreation Director Tracey Lynch. “I want to congratulate her for everything that she does. I think the best part of the ceremony was the unplanned part.”
Wallis explained that when the memorial wreaths were presented this year next to the memorial monuments, “usually the presenters walk them up and leave, this year our first responders stood there next to their wreaths, so the next person who went up there they stood up there too.”
Two Manchester Township emergency responders present a wreath to honor fallen service personnel as part of this year’s township Memorial Day service held at the World War II Park. (Photo courtesy Frank Nicolato)
“All the presenters were up there and afterwards it made for a great picture with all those people with the wreaths. I also want to thank our Public Works Department who did a great job in cleaning up and getting it ready. We greatly appreciate that,” Wallis added.
Wallis said, “as always, the police department was there being professional and doing everything right. We had a special assistant to the police department, Councilwoman Drake. The mayor did a great job speaking and it was a great program.”
Council President Roxy Conniff also commended the leaders of the Recreation Department and DPW and those who spoke. “It really was a beautiful ceremony and next year it will be in Pine Lake Park.”
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