Medford Memorial Day Observances --- Programs offered on Saturday, May 25th and Monday, May 27th
The Medford Township Council & Medford VFW Post #7677 are pleased to announce that they will hold Medford’s Annual Memorial Day Parade & Observances on Monday, May 27th, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
***New this year, the Parade route has changed. The Parade will now start at Allen School on Allen Avenue near Union Street, and proceed east to South Main Street. The Parade will turn left onto South Main Street; stopping briefly at the War Memorials adjacent to the Medford Memorial Community Center at 26 South Main Street to raise the flag, present a wreath and offer a 21-gun salute. The Parade will then re-start and continue north, turning left on Union Street. The Parade concludes in Freedom Park at 86 Union Street.
The ceremony will start immediately at the conclusion of the Parade in Freedom Park.
Enhanced ceremonies are being planned, including the dedication of new WWII and Korean War memorials, and a Battlefield Cross sculpture, as donated to Medford Township by the Burlington County Memorials Committee. These new memorials will be located next to the WWI, Vietnam and post-Vietnam memorials that are already located in Freedom Park.
Parade participants will include members of the VFW Post #7677, the Shawnee High School Marching Band, the Medford Police Department, Medford EMS, the Union & Taunton Fire Companies, the Civil Air Patrol-Air Victory Museum Composite Squadron. Medford Masonic Lodge #178, the Warrior Watch Riders, as well as many other public safety representatives and military re-enactment associations from neighboring communities.
This year’s Grand Marshall is Glenn Sinclair Sr. Glenn is a 16-year resident of Medford. Glenn served for two years in the United States Naval Reserves from 1965 to 1966. Upon graduating, Glenn joined the United States Marine Corps. In October 1968, Glenn was assigned to the First Marine Corps Aircraft Wing and stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam until 1970. Glenn is the Manager/Caretaker of the Medford Memorial Community Center and has served on the Board of Trustees for 16 years. Glenn is also a school bus driver for Medford Township and District Courier for Medford Board of Education. He and his wife Carol volunteer on many Main Street beautification efforts. He assists with the American flags throughout Medford and serves with the Township and Women’s Club to maintain the beautiful flower baskets along Main Street. Because of Glenn’s example to his family, his son and four grandsons have served and continue to serve the US Military today.
The Township Council invites and encourages Veterans to march in the Parade or join them in a vehicle. Local Scout troops and civic organizations who wish to march in the parade are also encouraged to do so and should contact the Beth Portocalis at the Municipal Offices (bportocalis@medfordtownship.com) or by calling 609-654-2608 x324. Also, participation in the parade on decorated bicycles is highly encouraged. Bikers should report to the Allen School staging area by 10:45 a.m., and must wear safety helmets.
Road detours in Medford Village will be in place during the Parade from 10:30 am until approximately 12:00 noon. Please visit http://www.medford-police.org/ or the Police Department's official Facebook page for more information.
On Saturday, May 25th, VFW Post #7677 is planning to perform memorial services at each of the three Medford Township cemeteries east of Main Street (Family Ministry at Branch and Filbert Streets, the Baptist Cemetery and the Odd Fellows Cemetery) in the usual sequence, commencing at noon. The small gated cemetery on Stokes Road @ Himmelein Road is also included. Accordingly, the Parade route on Monday will not include stops at these cemeteries.
Also on Saturday, May 25th, the Medford Arts Center (MAC) will host a concert featuring Ken Curcio. (https://kennycurciomusic.com/home ) Curcio is a musician and song writer who lives in Medford. He is releasing a new song dedicated to the American Soldier: "American Soldier"---is not just an anthem commemorating our troops, but also a piece that promotes individual strength in the face of adversity. American Soldier is presented as a song of unity. In addition, Richard Bell of Medford will be holding a book signing for his work: "The Last Soldiers of WWII."
**Also of note, The Medford Sunrise Rotary will be organizing Burlington County’s first “Field of Honor” in Freedom Park for Memorial Day. To honor loved ones who have exhibited Service Above Self, at least 200 sponsored flags will be flown in Freedom Park. Flags honor those who have served in the military, first responders, teachers, or any person who has touched the lives of others. The flags will be erected by Rotary members on Friday, May 24th. They will be flown on 8’ poles in perfectly symmetrical rows. Medallions will be placed on each flag with details on the nominated “hero.” The Field of Honor will remain for a full week, from May 25th thru June 1st.