Mountainside Announces 8th Annual Memorial Day Parade
Calling for Veterans to Participate
On Monday, May 27, 2019, Mountainside will sponsor a Memorial Day Ceremony followed by a parade honoring those who have died in our nation’s service.
The ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Veterans flagpole monument on Constitution Plaza (in front of the Library). Upon conclusion of the ceremony, Veterans, Scouts, Rotary Club, Rescue Squad, Fire Department, Police, and community groups will parade toward Deerfield School. The parade will proceed from Constitution Plaza up to Bridle Path to Wood Valley Road to Central Avenue, ending in Deerfield School parking lot. It is expected to end at 12:30 p.m.
The Grand Marshal of Mountainside’s parade will be Eugene (Gene) Bland. Eugene was drafted into the US Army in 1948. He attended Basic Training at Camp Chaffe, Arkansas. Following training, Eugene was deployed to Japan and Pusan, South Korea. He served 18 months as Crew Member of the 80th Heavy Tank Battalion in support of Marines with artillery. Eugene was awarded the Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal for his service in the 80th Tank Battalion. He was promoted to Corporal prior to his discharge in 1954.
Eugene is a life member of the Mountainside VFW Post 10136 and serves as Post Member. Gene is a long time Summit business owner. He has 5 sons, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The Mountainside Memorial Day Parade Committee is comprised of individuals representing the VFW, Mayor and Borough Council, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Rotary Club, Local Businesses, Fire Department, Police Department, Rescue Squad and others. These groups came together to bring a fitting Memorial Day event to the town of Mountainside as an honor to our own brave citizens who have fought and sacrificed in wars so that we can enjoy the many freedoms that Mountainsiders enjoy. The Committee hopes that citizens come out in force to show their appreciation for our Veterans as we memorialize our heroes in this way.
For further information about the parade, please contact Deanna Andre at 908-244-4111.
Submitted by Claudia Shehady
