Solemn Salute To Military To Begin Freehold Memorial Day Parade

FREEHOLD, NJ — In 1874, 149 years ago, there were only 37 states in the Union. That's when Freehold held its first Memorial Day Parade.

This historic tradition will continue on Monday, and will begin with a solemn Service of Reflection to honor veterans of all wars who died in service to the United State.

Elected officials, residents and veterans of the armed forces will gather at Elks Point, where Routes 79 and 537 converge, at 8:30 a.m. on May 29 to honor those who died in service to the nation as Freehold Borough begins its annual commemoration of Memorial Day, the borough says.

Borough Councilman George Schnurr will serve as the master of ceremonies for the Service of Reflection.

“I am deeply honored to be asked by the Freehold Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #74 to be the master of ceremonies for the Service of Reflection,” Schnurr said.

“The traditional Elks Point Service of Reflection is held in memory of all Freehold and other American servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives defending our nation. Each and every one of our veterans and the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice represented by the crosses and stars of David at Elks Point have honored us through their brave commitment to our country," he said.”

Longest-running parade

Following the Service of Reflection, the 149th Memorial Day Parade in Freehold Borough will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Brinckerhoff Avenue and West Main Street. A casket covered by an American flag will be accompanied by military personnel, Schnurr said.

At 10 a.m., representatives of local veteran organizations will begin their march along Main Street,
followed by the rest of the parade participants. Everyone is invited to visit Freehold Borough and to line up along West Main Street to view the parade.

According to Schnurr, the borough’s Memorial Day parade is the state’s longest running parade of its kind. He said it is Monmouth County’s largest such parade with an average of more than 70 units participating each year.

“The Freehold Memorial Day parade is one of the signature events of our community,” the councilman said. “When this streak of 149 parades honoring our servicemen and servicewomen started there were only 37 states in our nation.”

Residents of all ages from all communities are invited to attend the Memorial Day parade.

Grand Marshal Charles Sona, WWII

The lead veteran organization for this year’s parade is the Freehold Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #74. This year’s theme, as decided by the DAV, is “Honoring the Veterans of the Greatest Generation.”

Schnurr said the grand marshal as selected by the DAV is World War II veteran Charles Sona.

Sona served as a member of the Sea Bees Battalion 110 during 1944 in the Pacific. He was part of a second wave landing in Papua New Guinea which had a high casualty rate.

What was left of his platoon joined the Seventh Australian Army Brigade where he participated in operations, mostly at night, in the foothills of the Owen Stanley Mountains.

After returning from such an operation, he was injured and was shipped to several different hospitals in Australia and then home. He was honorably medically discharged at the end of October 1944.

Volunteer effort

Discussing the parade volunteers, Schnurr said, “The parade has grown exponentially in recent years under the direction of our many dedicated volunteers, most notably Memorial Day Parade Committee Chairperson Alice McCobb, who is the glue that holds everything together. I would like to thank her for all of her hard work, not just now, but throughout the entire year.”

McCobb has been chairing the Freehold Borough Memorial Day Parade for 35 years as of this year. She was recognized for her work with a proclamation from the state Senate in October. Her daughter Amanda McCobb is vice chairperson and secretary of the Parade Committee.

McCobb said the parade is one of the top 11 oldest parades in the nation, based on the committee's research.

And Schnurr mentioned other efforts that make the parade possible:

“I would also like to thank the Streets and Roads Department and the Police Department for helping us get Freehold Borough ready for the parade,” Schnurr said.

Free parking is available in the Market Yard parking lot off Center and Mechanic streets; in the Monmouth County Hall of Records Annex parking lot off East Main and Lafayette streets; and in an auxiliary lot on Lafayette Street behind the Hall of Records Annex parking lot.

Getting around town

No local or through traffic will be allowed after 8 a.m. and the end of the parade (approximately 12:30 p.m.) Please plan an alternate route and keep the road closures in mind when planning to go out, have gatherings, or return home. See a list of road closures here.

No vehicles will be allowed to go through the barricades for any reason once the roads close, and no cars will be allowed to park on these roads. There will be a No Parking ordinance in effect from 6 a.m. Monday morning, in addition to the 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. road closure. Please plan accordingly for errands, gatherings, and work.

The best way to maneuver around the town would be to use Park Ave (Route 33) to get to Route 9 or to Kozloski Road for that side of town, and Robertsville Road to Dutch Lane Road to maneuver around the other side of town. Monument Street to Pond Road will also be available to leave town.