JACKSON – It may have been overcast but it didn’t rain on the township’s annual Memorial Day Parade hosted by the Jackson Police Department and its PBA 168.
The parade and ceremony weathered the potential bad weather that caused the cancelation of other outdoor events around the county. Following the parade, a ceremony to honor fallen heroes was held in Johnson Park. Live music was provided by the popular band Kickin’ Wing, the singer of which also lent her vocal talents to providing the National Anthem. Visitors enjoyed a bounce house by New Jersey Bounce and various food trucks, ice cream and vendors.
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the service of the United States. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.
As per tradition, Jackson’s Memorial Day parade kicked off at 10 a.m. from the gathering point of Holman Elementary School and proceeded toward Johnson Park.
The parade garnered a good turnout of spectators despite the gray sky and early morning rainfall. Among those was Matthew Sherman and his 6-year-old son Jeffrey and 3-year-old daughter Elizabeth Sherman both of which sported mustaches in honor of their love of the Super Mario Brothers franchise. “It is a tradition for us to come out to this parade. Normally their mother takes them but I’m off today. I am an Army veteran of the United States Army. I served from 1993 to 1996.”
Among those present in the parade were members of Jackson/Howell American Legion Post 504. Bill Palme has been a member of the Post for nearly 30 years. He said “It was an honor to be the parade marshal this year.”
Palme joined the Air Force in 1952 as the country entered the Korean War. After basic training he was sent to aircraft engine and mechanic school at an air corps base in Texas and then went to a base in Illinois to continue to work on aircraft and engines. He later served as an instructor and taught Air Force air crews how to repair the B-36 aircraft. He concluded his service in 1956. He married his wife Lorraine in 1962. They have six children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Members of Post 504 had been busy collecting donations for the distribution of 8,000 poppies, taking shifts in front of the ShopRite stores in Jackson and Howell. A Legion member told The Jackson Times that the post ordered more poppies than any other American Legion Post in Ocean County.
The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by American veterans while protecting the country’s freedoms.
Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. The American Legion asked Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day, as National Poppy Day. Led by the American Legion Auxiliary, each year members of the American Legion distribute poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower make a donation to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs.
Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, Council President Mordechai Burnstein and Councilmen Nino Borrelli and Chris Pollak marched in the parade. They joined emergency response units, the police, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Jackson High School Band and various other groups.
The mayor said during the service afterward, “today is a day of remembrance. A day where our nation pauses to remember the heroes who never came home. Those soldiers, the sailors, the airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen. It was a difficult duty knowing the cost could mean everything and yet they served anyway. They served with courage, with honor with a love of this country and because of them, we stand here today, free.”
She said as mayor of Jackson she was “proud of this town, proud of this country, proud of the people who understand the true meaning of sacrifice. Today we honor them not only with ceremonies and flags but with our actions. The greatest way we can honor our fallen heroes is to never take this country for granted.”
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