Honor the Veterans, Treasure Your Friends and Family

I was flattered to receive invitations to three Memorial Day weekend parties this year.

But I’ll be going to the same place I’ve been for the past decade.

I’ll be on Broad Street in Linden at my friend’s parents' house, watching the parade go by, then heading to the cemetery for the ceremony.

Somehow years ago, the tradition started with a wild party the day before Memorial Day. We had some epic bashes and plenty of fun into all hours in the morning. Sometimes we’d even head to the cemetery for an early “preview” of the new memorial.

But no matter how much we drank or how late we stayed up, we always made it a point to get up for the parade, usually to the tune of The Rascals' “It’s a Beautiful Morning.”

After the ceremony, it was a day of playing football and eating a lot of food (and usually a nap or two.)

Those days of partying are long gone, but the tradition remains. I’ll be there, sitting on the front porch, as I have for the past decade.

There will be one part of the tradition that I will miss greatly this year.

Joe Romeo, who died late last year, always came strolling up right after the parade to come say hello, knowing I’d be on that porch. We had worked together at the , attended ballgames and shot the breeze, and he gave me plenty of advice.

I especially looked forward to saying a hello in recent years because I had moved away and hadn’t seen him in a while. It won’t quite be the same this year without seeing his smile.

So while I will be thinking of him and thinking of the veterans who gave their lives for our country and our freedom, I will also be treasuring the company of those I care about. I don’t have a whole lot of holiday traditions, but this is one I cherish every year.

I want to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day and urge  you to remember not only those who have fought for our freedom, but also those right next to you.