Veterans invited to participate in Medford’s annual Memorial Day parade

Medford Twp. council is pleased to announce it will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade and Observances on Monday, May 26, beginning at 11 a.m. The parade will start at Memorial Middle School on Mill Street, proceeding down Mill Street to Trimble Street to Main Street. The parade will then continue to the cemeteries in the village for a 21-gun salute and flag raising. Returning to Main Street, the parade will then stop at the Veterans’ monuments on Main Street, next to the Medford Memorial Community Center for the official ceremony. VFW Post 7677 will host the activities in conjunction with Medford officials. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the VFW Hall located on Church Road.

Parade participants include members of the VFW Post 7677, the Medford Returning Veterans Committee, the Shawnee High School Marching Band, the Medford Police Department, Medford EMS, the Union and Taunton Fire Companies, as well as many other public safety representatives and military re-enactment associations from neighboring communities.

Council invites and encourages veterans to march in the parade or join them in a vehicle. Local Scout troops and civic organizations who wish to march in the parade are also encouraged to do so and should contact the Beth Portocalis at the municipal offices or by calling (609) 654–2608 ext. 338. Also, participation in the parade on decorated bicycles is highly encouraged. Bikers should report to the Memorial Middle School staging area by 10:30 a.m., and must wear safety helmets.

This year’s Grand Marshall is Larry DeVaro. A resident since 1943 and owner and proprietor of Larry’s Barbershop on Main Street, DeVaro is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1953 to 1956 in the 11th Airborne at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He is a 50-plus year member of the Union Fire Company and served in many capacities for them. He was also one of the founding members of Medford’s Recreation Advisory Board, who for years organized Medford’s Memorial Day Parade and decorated the gravesites of veterans for this observance.

For more information concerning Medford’s Memorial Day events, please call (609) 654–2608 ext. 338 or e-mail bportocalis@medfordtownship.com.