Veterans welcome to participate in Beach Haven’s Memorial Day parade

Many people consider Memorial Day to be the kickoff to the summer season, but Beach Haven Councilman James White, who is also chairman of the town’s Memorial Day parade, wants people to remember what it is really about it.

“Memorial Day is not the beginning of summer. It’s not for car sales. It’s not for mattress sales. It’s to pay respect to the people who died for our country,” said White. “Take some time out before you have your barbecues, your hot dogs and beer, before summer picnic season starts, to say that ‘I do care about these people who lost their lives for our country,’” he urged.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
Veterans participate in Beach Haven's
2013 Memorial Day parade.

A Memorial Day parade and ceremony to honor those who died in active military service will be held in Beach Haven on Monday, May 26, at 10 a.m. The event, presented by the Community Arts Program, VFW Barnegat Light Post 3729 and Beach Haven borough, will begin along Bay Avenue, from Taylor to Engleside avenues, and end at Veterans Bicentennial Park. A service to honor the nation’s fallen heroes will commence immediately afterward.

“It’s a short parade. It’s solemn; it’s a memorial walk,” said White. “There’s no cheering, no candy being thrown, no sirens being played. It’s a very fitting tribute.”

In recent years, the event has garnered large crowds of 600 to 700 people in attendance, mostly due to White’s leadership. He hopes to get more people involved by speaking with many of the local schoolchildren and Girl and Boy Scout groups about the importance of honoring the country’s fallen heroes.

“I try to explain that war is a bad thing. These brave men and women who gave their lives, they didn’t pick the fight, but they died for it,” he said.

All veterans are encouraged to participate in the parade. Accommodations will be made for those unable to walk during the procession. Those interested in partaking in the memorial should contact the borough at 609-492-0111.

–Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.