HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — Crowds lined the streets of Hackettstown on Monday for the 157th Annual Memorial Day Parade, organized by the American Legion Blue Ridge Post 164.
The event honored the nation’s fallen service members with a patriotic procession through town, followed by a solemn Memorial Day ceremony at Union Cemetery.
Parade Chairman Arnie Solomon welcomed attendees and opened the ceremony, which featured remarks by Hackettstown Mayor Jerry DiMaio and keynote speaker Maj. John C. Kirven.
Solomon also recognized this year’s Grand Marshal, Charles “Charlie” Conklin, and the Vietnam Veteran 50th Anniversary Grand Marshal, Howard T. Manfra Jr.
Dr. Timothy Nicinski, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and chaplain at Centenary University, delivered the invocation and benediction.
The Hackettstown Community Band performed the national anthem, and the ceremony concluded with the releasing of the float and a salute to the fallen by the 27th Regiment of New Jersey Company F Living Historical Group.
