FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — The Memorial Day Parade returned this year to Freehold, New Jersey, where streets were packed with crowds dressed in red, white and blue and waiving the American flag.
After a year of no mass gatherings, it was heartening to see hundreds of people come out to honor those who died while protecting this country, CBS2’s Christina Fan reported.
Freehold’s Memorial Day parade is the oldest and largest in western Monmouth County, with an average of more than 70 units participating each year. There were military units, veterans groups, EMS squads, and even Gov. Phil Murphy made an appearance.
With so many Memorial Day events canceled last year because of COVID, families said it was important to show their support this year and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“I grew up with a lot of benefits, and there were a lot of young people who served and never came home,” Staten Island resident Bob Degennaro told Fan. “So we have to remember these people and those who served — men, women — and who are still serving, who are not coming home. It’s very important we support our military and our government. That’s what it means to me.”
“This is like our version of Mayberry 1950. There’s nothing like walking down the street of Main Street in Freehold Township and seeing little kids saluting the flag and old men wearing faded uniforms. It’s just really something special,” former Freehold Mayor David Salkin added.
Families said the crowd size was similar to those pre-COVID, and they particularly enjoyed seeing the faces of everyone in the parade without the need for masks — a sign the pandemic might finally be over.
Other Memorial Day events were held Monday in Bergenfield, Fair Lawn and Edgewater.
CBS2’s Christina Fan contributed to this report.
from CBS New York https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/05/31/freehold-memorial-day-parade-returns/
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