Millstone to remember those who sacrificed their lives

“Their Sacrifice – Our Freedom” is the theme for this year’s Millstone Township Memorial Day parade.

Millstone’s annual parade will be held Monday, May 31. Parade start time is 10 a.m., rain or shine.

The parade starts from the Clarksburg post office, located on Route 524/Stagecoach Road, and ends at the veterans memorial next to the municipal building.

Ample parking is available for the public, at the municipal building or mid-way along the parade route on Bowman’s Court. The public is urged to arrive at 9:30 a.m. to park their cars and grab a spot along the 0.7-mile parade route for their lawn chairs.

U.S. flags will be handed out free to all children in attendance. In addition to community volunteer organizations, Millstone’s parade features riders on horseback from area equestrian associations. Lt. Dennis Donovan of the New Jersey State Police will play traditional bagpipes. Children from Millstone Township Middle School band will provide interlude music under the direction of Gwen Parker.

Immediately following the parade, a military honors ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial. The New Jersey Army National Guard will provide a keynote speaker.

There will be a special ceremony to honor those troops recently killed in service. Millstone’s Lipica Shah will take a break from performing off-Broadway theater in New York to sing a verse from taps.

“Ghost Taps” will be played on bugle and trumpet by Millstone’s Dr. Scott Palmer and Allan Boyce. Multidenominational clergy will lead prayers.

Following the Memorial Day ceremony, the Clarksburg Inn will host a barbecue, free to the attending public. (Cash bar is available.)

Parade registration forms are available at the Millstone Township Municipal Building for organizations wishing to march or to enter a float or vehicle in the parade.

All military and veterans are welcome to join with Millstone Township community organizations in the parade and attend the honor ceremony afterward.

For more information about the parade please contact Bill Nurko, parade chairman, at 609-443-1974.