Allentown to host parade on May 25

ALLENTOWN — Area residents are invited to honor veterans at the 2009 Memorial Day parade.

The parade will feature 40 local groups, including Allentown and Upper Freehold Township dignitaries, color guards, honor guards, the Crescent Temple Motor Cycle Drill Team, 4-H groups, school athletic teams, service clubs, the FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America), as well as five bands, antique and classic cars, clowns and floats, according to Rob Strovinsky, president of the Allentown Lions Club.

Staging for the participants will begin at 8:30 a.m. May 25 on north Main Street in the area between Allen Drive and Probasco Drive.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of North Main Street and Allen Drive and will proceed south through the center of town, across the Conine Millpond Bridge, onto High Street and to the Upper Freehold Regional Elementary/Middle School. Grand Marshals Joan and Art West will lead the parade.

This is the second time that the Lions Club has chosen a couple to lead the parade. Art has been living in Upper Freehold since the age of 10. Joan was born in Dr. Farmer's Hospital, which was once located on Main Street in Allentown. They both attended Allentown High School.

The Wests have two children and five grandchildren. Art's carrying on his family's tradition by working the land known as West Haven Farm. Joan has been employed by the Upper Freehold School District since 1981.

Both Art and Joan have given back to the community over the years. Art is a past member of the Lions Club. He served on the school board for nine years, the Allentown Borough Council for seven years, and the county Board of Agriculture, shade tree and environmental and parks improvements committees. He is presently serving on the Economic Development Committee. Joan has served as a Girl Scout leader, PTA officer, Allentown 300th Anniversary Committee member, and Villagers member. She continues serving on various school and church committees.

Parade viewing areas will be available on both sides of the parade route. The intersections of Church Street and Main Street and High Street and Main Street are local favorites.

The parade will be followed by a memorial service at the memorial monument near the upper entrance to the school. The service will feature a memorial salute led by members of American Legion Post No. 31's Honor Guard and Civil Air Patrol Squadron N.J. No. 082. Lt. Col. Jay Davidson will lead the color guard.

Members of the Civil Air Patrol, led by retired Navy Capt. Jerry Rovner, will demonstrate folding the American flag and then present it in honor of those who gave their lives in service to the country. The Allentown High School Redbird Marching Band, directed by Jeff Santoro, will perform patriotic selections and "Taps."