The 2021 Parade Committee proudly presents the Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade to honor the brave men and women who continue to sacrifice their lives around the world for our freedom. We are especially happy this year to present the Parade as it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 and everyone is excited to return to normal. Although we’ve made some modifications due to COVID, the Parade Committee prides itself on the variety we are able to present in the parade which includes many bands, military and fire and rescue apparatus, animals, antique cars, town groups and others, all marching in patronage to our fallen heroes. Continue to mask up and practice social distancing.

In the interest of public wellness, we will not have our typical celebration at the VFW Post 3401 at the close of the parade this year.

And now, as your Mayor, I have the privilege of reminding all that……

“EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE!”

In 2020, our Grand Marshal was to be Alice McGreevy, proprietor of Arthur’s Tavern. She is being honored for her long-time support of activities in Morris Plains. Alice is being represented by her daughter, Alyse-Marie Moore Puentes, and grandchildren, Daniel age 8 and Ava age 6.

For 2021, the Community Service Award recipients are the many men and women who have given their time and service as First Responders, Healthcare Providers and Essential Workers throughout the pandemic crisis. This year’s parade gives us the chance to express our appreciation to members of all of these groups for their brave and selfless dedication to the safety and well-being of our community!

Please never forget the reason we commemorate this day annually, for it is for those who served before us and gave the ultimate sacrifice while defending our great country. By your presence here today, you too become and remain a vibrant part of this time-honored tradition. God bless you and

GOD BLESS AMERICA! Sincerely,

Jason C. Karr Mayor of Morris Plains

Chairperson: Steve Welsh Master of Ceremonies: Larry Ripley

Parade Committee

Memorial Day Service

Roberts Garden 9:00 a.m. – May 29th, 2021

Welcome: Jason C. Karr, Mayor

Raising: Morris Plains Police, Chief Michael Koroski & Ptl. Anne Marie Ferris

Invocation: Father Michael Allen, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

National Anthem: Morris Plains Borough School Band Directed by Rachel Sousa

Memorial Day Speaker: Plummer Williams Chaplain, VFW Post 3401

Flower Tributes: Jason C. Karr, Mayor

Taps: Joseph Pizzimenti and Christoper Ruiz Morristown High School Marching Colonials

God Bless America: Morris Plains Borough School Band

Benediction: Rev. Don Brown, Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains

Captains of Parade Marshals*: Marcia & Gary Windt

Committee Members

Laurie Fu Michael Rolph Katie Windt Cathie Kelly VFW Post #3401

Frank Druetzler Karen Coffey Bernice Werner (“Miss Sunshine”) Suzanne McCluskey

Donna Karr Jason Karr Barbara Visscher Karyn Visscher Glenn Visscher

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Ceremony: Commander Thomas Villante VFW Post 3401 & Auxiliary

Firing Squad: V.F.W. Post 3401 and Denville American Legion Post 390

* Our thanks to the many volunteers serving as Parade Marshals today!

This Year’s Community Service Award Honorees are MANY! They are the Courageous, Dedicated and Strong men and women who put the needs of others before their own throughout the COVID health crisis. The 2021 Parade affords an opportunity to recognize and express our appreciation, not only for all our Military Heroes, but also for the selfless and tireless efforts of those community members who have done their part to help their neighbors through such a challenging time.

THANK YOU to All: * FIRST RESPONDERS * * HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS * * ESSENTIAL WORKERS *

* This includes Police, Fire & Rescue, EMS, Doctors, Nurses and Other Healthcare Workers, Sanitation Workers, Postal & Delivery Persons, Food Service Providers, Department of Public Works, Town Services Personnel, Teachers & School Staff, and many more.

Alice McGreevy - dedicated community business owner. Owner of Morris Plains staple, Arthur’s

Tavern, Alice has offered generous support of our armed services and emergency service personnel, and of local sports teams and service organizations for many years. Alice is unable to join us this year, but will be represented by her family in the parade.

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* * * 2020 Honoree (34th year) * * *

33rd Parade May 25th 2019

Frank J Druetzler, Mayor of Borough for 32 years; Founder of Memorial Day Parade

32nd Parade May 26th 2018

Jack Van Orden, over 50 years of dedicated Service—MPFD

31st Parade May 27th 2017

Tina Cecala, over 34 years serving as coach of the Morris Plains “Marlins” Summer Swim Team

30th Parade Barbara & David May 28th 2016 Visscher

15th Parade Daniel Myers & May 26th 2001 Virginia Dyer

29th Parade Larry Ripley May 23rd 2015

14th Parade Rotary Club of May 27th 2000 Morris Plains

28th Parade Beautification May 24th 2014 Committee

13th Parade William Yager May 29th, 1999

27th Parade Don Geary May 25th 2013

12th Parade Morris Plains May 23rd 1998 Library Association

26th Parade MPFD Ladies Auxiliary & May 26th 2012 The 9-11 Memorial Committee

11th Parade MP Fire Association May 24th 1997 MP Vol. Fire Dept.

25th Parade Morris Minute Men, Paul Waldek, May 23rd 2011 Susan Vigilante, Cathie Kelly

10th Parade Rev. David Hamilton May 25th 1996

24th Parade Ralph Rotando, Don May 29th 2010 Underhill & Steve Welsh

9th Parade Rev. Paul Sparling May 27th 1995

23rd Parade Alan R. Florin May 23rd 2009

8th Parade VFW Watnong Post May 28th 1994 No. 3401

22nd Parade Bill Conradi, Grif May 24th 2008 Humphrey & Gus Lepre

7th Parade Paul Bangiola May 29th 1993

21st Parade Robert Carroll & May 26th 2007 Jack Carroll

6th Parade Rev & Mrs. George May 23rd 1992 Vorsheim

20th Parade The Girl Scouts of May 27th 2006 Morris Plains

5th Parade Morris Minute Men May 25th 1991

19th Parade Phil Romano & May 28th 2005 John Ruppell, Jr

4th Parade Chris Byrne May 26th 1990

18th Parade Pfizer, Inc. May 29th 2004

3rd Parade Jean Williams & May 27th 1989 Kenneth Pfeil

17th Parade Boy Scout Troop 39 May 24th 2003

2nd Parade All Season’s May 28th 1988 Garden

16th Parade Morris Plains Little May 25th 2002 League Association

1st Parade Stan Simons May 30th 1987

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Mayor

Jason C. Karr

Department of Public Works John Signorelli, Supt.

Police Department Michael Koroski, Chief

Fire Department Kevin Rongo, Chief

Borough Clerk Rosanne Denman, RMC, CMR

Zoning Official Don Salerno

www.morrisplainsboro.org Tax Collector

Ana Thomas, CTC

Construction Official Edward A. Easse

Municipal Court Michael Carlucci, Judge

Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Ana Thomas, CFO

Boards/Commissions Secretary Karen M. Coffey

Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese

Joan Goddard

The Borough of Morris Plains

“The Community of Caring”

Cathie Kelly Nancy Verga

Dennis Wagner

Borough Council

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* BE SAFE * BE CONSIDERATE *

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL CURRENT NJ STATE COVID GUIDELINES ARE IN EFFECT FOR TODAY’S PARADE

NO items (program books, flags, candy, etc.) may be distributed or tossed to parade spectators

There will be NO gathering for food or activities at the Watnong VFW at the end of the parade route

this year

THANK YOU for Attending and for Your Cooperation!

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1 Morris Plains Police Department, Chief Michael Koroski

2 VFW Post #3401 Color Guard—car w/ Commander Tom Villante

3 VFW Post #3401 Auxiliary – car w/ Fatty Little

4 Denville VFW Color Guard

5 Denville American Legion Post 390

6 Northern NJ Music Guild Marching Band (#16-248)

7 2020 Grand Marshal—Alice McGreevy, Proprietor of Arthur’s Tavern. Represented Today by Her Daughter, Alyse-Marie Moore Puentes and Her Grandchildren, Daniel and Ava.

8 Central Park Carriage (horses) - *m.e.

9 2021 Grand Marshal—All Local First Responders, Heathcare Providers & Essential Workers

10 Palisades Park Fire Department Band

11 Morris Plains Fire Dept. Members Marching Unit & Ladies Auxiliary

12 Morris Plains Fire Chief’s Car

13 Morris Plains Fire Department Apparatus

14 Morris Minute Men EMS

15 Brava Brass Band

16 Mayor Jason Karr

17 Morris Plains Borough Council

18 Morris County Commissioners

19 26th Legislative District Representatives

20 The Golden Gup w/ Dudley Werner, Korean War Veteran, plus Mickey & Minnie Mouse

21 Morris County Sheriff, James Gannon

22 Morris County Sheriff ‘s Dept. Motorcycle Unit

23 Morris County HOPE ONE Van

24 Morris Plains Boy Scout Troop 39 (Celebrating over 90 Years in Scouting)

8 *m.e.—manure engineer

25 Passaic County Marching Band

26 All Seasons Garden Club

27 Garden Club Members w/ George Coppola (car)

28 Garden Club Members w/ Paul Sambroski, Jr (car)

29 NJ National Guard—328th Military Police Company

30 Colonial Musketeers Senior Fife & Drum Corps

31 Military Transport

32 Picatinny Arsenal (with MTVR Truck w/ Howitzer Cannon)

33 Mary Moore of MPPD w/ Service Dog

34 Future Marines of RSS Northwest

35 Sharpshooters Band

36 Riderless Horse - *m.e.

37 Civil War Reenactors w/ Cannon

38 Animals of Kafka Farms - *m.e.

39 Grand Master of Masons of the State of NJ Most Worshipful Robert V, Monacelli

40 Members of the NJ Grand Lodge & Members of 11th Masonic District

41 Grand Matron & Grand Patron of Order of the Eastern Star of NJ Mrs. Daria Hamm & Mr. Bruce Zelinski

42 Members of the Order of the Eastern Star of NJ

43 Potentate of Salaam Shrine of Shriners International Illustrious Paul Di Gaetano

44 Salaam Shrine Temple Divan

45 Salaam Shrine Motor Corps

46 Salaam Shrine Clowns

47 Salaam Oriental Band

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48 Morris Plains Board of Education

49 Smokey the Bear, US Forest Service

50 Morristowngreen.com

51 Morris Plains Rotary Club, President Patrick Boyne (float)

52 Wholly Brass Band

53 Classic Cars

54 Friendly Sons w/ American Flag

55 Rory O’Moore Pipe Band

56 Mary Waller—Grand Marshal of Morristown’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

57 Sisters of Saint Brigid

58 Irish American Association of NW Jersey

59 The Guard Pipes and Drums

60 Morris Plains Republican Club (car)

61 Garden State Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

62 Morris County MUA Recycling Trucks & Packer Truck

63 Chick Fil-A “Cow”

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64 Arbor Terrace (van)

65 Denville String Band

66 Morris Plains Democratic Committee

67 North Jersey Jeep Club

68 Orange High School Marching Tornadoes Band

69 New Jersey Devil

70 Whippany River Watershed Action Committee

71 WMTR & WDHA w/ “Slick”

72 Wild West City (float)

73 Morristown High School Marching Colonials

74 Special Surprise Visitors! (on Fire Truck)

75 Morris Plains Police Car—Ptl. Anne Marie Ferris

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Theodore H. Campbell U.S. Army Private First Class

Walter Kelsch, Jr. U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander

James McVicker Whitney U.S. Army Corporal

Raymond T. Napier U.S. Army Captain

Jeremiah H. Linehan U.S. Army Sergeant First Class

Robert T. Sanderson U.S. Navy Ensign

Jack W. Higbie, Jr. Army Air Force 1st Lieutenant

Benjamin Signorelli U.S. Army Private

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The roses bloom white and red On tombs where weary soldiers lie; Flags wave above the honored dead And martial music cleaves the sky. Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel, They kept the faith and fought the fight. Through flying lead and crimson steel They plunged for freedom and the right. Joyce Kilmer

Charles S. Stokes U.S. Army Private

John F. Sanford U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant

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CAPTURE THE MOMENT!

Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade DVD’s will be

available approximately two weeks after the parade for a nominal fee.

If you would like to purchase a video copy of the

Parade, please contact Karen Coffey at the Borough Annex at 973-538-0325

The Morris Plains Clean Communities Committee and Recycling Committee kindly request your help in keeping OUR town clean on PARADE Day—and EVERY Day Please look for the recycling and trash receptacles along the parade route and deposit items accordingly!

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TODAY’S MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE & PARADE will be live-streamed on YouTube at:

https://parade.soutar.tech/

We thank Stop and Shop Supermarket & the Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains for generously providing bottled water for today’s parade participants!

MANY thanks also to our Road Dept. and Police Dept. for their efforts in preparing the Borough for today’s events!