Monmouth County Remembers Those Who Served

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County offices will be closed Monday, in observance of Memorial Day

FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders wishes everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend and reminds residents that while most County offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the national holiday, all County parks and golf courses will be open.

“On Memorial Day, we need to remember those veterans who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry. “This weekend, we should all do something to honor our veterans. Attend a parade or a memorial service for our veterans, or take the family to the New Jersey National Guard Militia Museum in Sea Girt. This museum has many exhibits, fighter aircraft and tanks. We thank all branches of the service for their dedication to protecting our great country and the freedoms we enjoy. That must never be taken for granted.”

For more information, go to visitmonmouth.com to find a list of events to celebrate Memorial Day in Monmouth County. A list of 2017 Memorial Day parades in Monmouth County appears below.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May.

“Memorial Day is an important holiday for our nation and Monmouth County,” said Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley. “The Monmouth County Veterans Services Office serves those who have given so much – whether it’s the solider returning home from war, retirees, families, and even future servicemen and women. Words cannot express our sincere thanks to the men and women in the military. Their courage and sacrifice clearly speak about a sense of duty and what makes our country so great.”

The Veteran’s Services Office helps our military apply for service-connected compensation and pension benefits and provides referrals for counseling and other services. Contact the office at 3000 Kozloski Rd., Freehold or call 732-683-8675.

Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. By the late 1800s, communities began to observe Memorial Day and, after World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who had died in all of America’s wars.

Memorial Day Parades in Monmouth County (a partial list)

Saturday, May 27
• Bradley Beach, 10am
• Highlands, 12pm
• Union Beach, 1pm

Sunday, May 28
• Keansburg, 1:30pm
• Keyport, 1pm
• Matawan, 2pm
• Ocean Township, 12pm

Monday, May 29
• Allentown, 10:30am
• Atlantic Highlands, 11am
• Colts Neck, 10:30am
• Fair Haven, 9am
• Farmingdale, 1pm
• Freehold, 9:45am
• Holmdel, 10:30am
• Little Silver, 8:30am
• Manalapan, 2pm
• Manasquan, 10:30am
• Middletown, 10am
• Neptune City, 10am
• Oceanport, 9:30am
• Rumson, 10am
• Wall Township, 10am