Courtesy photo
Memorial Day Parade – May 28
The Rahway Veterans Central Committee invites the community to attend the Memorial Day Parade to be held on Sunday, May 28, 2023 starting at 1:30 p.m. The parade will begin on Main Street and Milton Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey. This Year’s Grand Marshall is Berley Hanna, Jr.
Berley Hanna, Jr. joined the Naval Reserve during high school with a buddy at the age of 17 on August 1, 1962, and was honorably discharged in 1968. His active-duty tour was served aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Wasp CVS-18 Boston, Massachusetts. Aboard the Wasp he worked in the “Ice Machine” crew and made Machinist Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer. They were responsible for the ship’s refrigeration, chilled water systems and air conditioning for the pilot’s ready rooms.
Berley was employed by Merck & Co. Inc. for a period of 39 years, retiring in 2006. During his Merck career he was an active OCAW Union Representative. He was elected to several positions, including Steward, Committeeman, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Vice President.
After trade school graduation as an electrician, he joined the American Legion James E. Mackie Post 499 (Union County) in 1977 and immediately became active within the Organization. He attendedAmerican Legion College Basic; Advanced; Service Officer; Club Management; and National Extension Institute Courses.
He is a life member of the American Legion and has proudly served for over 45 years! He has held every position in his post, including Post Commander and is presently serving as Adjutant. He is a Past Department (State) Commander 1999-2000, Department Vice Commander, Union County Department Executive Committeeman, County Commander, County Vice Commander, County Sgt-At-Arms, County Adjutant, and currently serves as Union County Finance Officer.
He chairs Post 499’s Annual Unsung Heroes Program. The Unsung Heroes Program is a Memorial Service honoring Civil War “Colored Troops” (USCT) who are buried in Rahway Cemetery.
Berley currently serves the American Legion on theDepartment Revised Legion as Chairman, and he serves as Vice President of the New Jersey Boys State Trustee Program. He has served on the NJ American Legion Boys State Program for over 28 years.
He also serves on the NJ Governor’s State Veteran’s Council as Past Chairman, and he is the liaison to the Facility Council to Veteran’s Memorial Home in Menlo Park, and past liaison to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum, Holmdel, New Jersey.
On the National Level of the American Legion, he serves as a member of the Media & Communications Commission, he now serves as the liaison for that committee. He currently serves as New Jersey National Executive Committeeman (NEC). Berley is a voting member on the National Level representing the department of New Jersey.
Berley and his wife Janet are the proud parents of two children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
