Parsippany Gears Up for Memorial Day Celebrations

Monday is Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. Many Parsippany residents enjoying a day off from work and school will spend their free time relaxing on a beach or sweating over a hot barbecue grill.

But others will take time to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. The township has two events on tap to pay tribute to those who served and died in the armed forces.

At 10 a.m., veterans and loved ones will gather at Veterans Memorial Park for a solemn ceremony of remembrance. Municipal leaders, the Parsippany American Legion Lake Hiawatha chapter and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10184 will be among those represented at the event.

Veterans Memorial Park is located on Route 46 East at Vail Road.

Noon is kick-off time for the 2011 Parsippany-Troy Hills Memorial Day Parade, which honors the men and women of the U.S. military who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. The parade is organized by the township's recreation department.  

The processional steps off from North Beverwyck Road at Katherine Drive. The marchers will follow a path that ends at the reviewing stand on North Beverwyck Road at Volunteers Park.

Mayor James Barberio will be one of the local leaders participating.

"I've been marching in this parade since 2002. It's always cool the week before and 90 degrees on the day you march, and it looks like this year will be no exception," the mayor said, laughing. "I am looking forward to the parade."

Joining the mayor promenading down the parade route are municipal groups and organizations including the Parsippany and Parsippany Hills high school bands and cheerleaders, the Morris County Board of Freeholders, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Council and members of the Parsippany Police Department, the fire stations, the Board of Education, the local Knights of Columbus, the Parsippany Woman's Club, VFW Post No. 10184 and more.