Rainbow Lakes Honors America's Heroes

As three gunshots fired into the sky Saturday afternoon, councilmen, commanders, officers and guests all held their breath to honor the memory of our fallen soldiers.

The 63rd annual Memorial Day parade commenced at the Rainbow Lakes firehouse in Denville, forming a patriotic lineup of participants that only grew along its route. The event, started by the American Legion Post 451 of Rainbow Lakes, has also grown in a similar fashion throughout its many years.

“It is now one of the area’s most popular ceremonies,” says County Commander Bill DeGrosky. “It’s strictly a community event, but yet at the same time as you see, fire companies from all over Parsippany come and join us and it’s a chance for us to get our boy scouts and various community groups together.”

Marchers included the Legion Post 451, firemen from area districts–including Rainbow Lakes, Lake Parsippany, Lake Hiawatha, Parsippany and Mt. Tabor–police officers, EMS units, dignitaries from the South, Civil War re-enactors, boy scouts, families and friends alike.

“Right up to the moment we step out, we’re never quite sure who’s gonna be in it,” said DeGrosky with a chuckle.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio also marched along with guests.

“I’ve been doing this since 2002 with them and this is really a heartfelt, warm community,” Barberio said.

Memorial Day has been a significant holiday for both Barberio and DeGrosky.

“Today we honor those who fell in battle,” said DeGrosky, “and I don’t think there’s anything more important. Because of them, we have our liberty. Because of them, our nation is free.”

“I’m a son of a World War II veteran who fought in several major battles,” Barberio said. “Just like DeGrosky said, if it wasn’t for the soldiers and men and women of our military, we wouldn’t be standing here today. We count on them for our freedom and they should be remembered because they made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The parade winded past the Rainbow Lakes Beach and ended at Rainbow Lakes Park,  where the ceremony was held. The ceremony was led by DeGrosky and featured Par-Troy Council President John Fox, Council Vice President Michael DePierro, and Council members John Cesaro, Vincent Ferrara and Brian Stanton. Honorary guests of the Legion included State Commander Harold Liberatore and past department Vice Commander Delbert McNeil.

The ceremony featured an opening and closing prayer, speeches by guest commanders, a flag salute, and a singing of the National Anthem.
The heartfelt parade and ceremony concluded on a lighthearted note where attendees gathered back at the firehouse for refreshments.

“It’s more like a community outreach type of thing," says Barberio. “It’s really wonderful.”