The Fanwood Scotch Plains Memorial Day Parade Committee announced its annual concert and parade will be held on Sunday, May 25th, and Monday, May 26th, 2014. The theme of this year’s Memorial Day events will be D-Day Normandy Beach 70th Anniversary.
“It is appropriate that we remember and honor the 6000+ American casualties , including 2500-3000 killed , on D-Day just days before June 6th , the 70th anniversary of the invasion,” said Kevin Glover, Mayor of Scotch Plains.
The concert will take place on Sunday May 25th on the North Avenue lawn of the historic Fanwood train station beginning at 6:30 pm. The Westfield Community Band will play patriotic melodies, traditional marches and other popular works.
“We are pleased to again host the Memorial Day concert . D-Day must never be forgotten by our citizens,” said Colleen Mahr, Mayor of Fanwood.
The parade will be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th, through downtown Scotch Plains and Fanwood. Malcolm Nettingham, a WWII veteran and one of 300 Tuskegee Airmen to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, is this year’s Grand Marshal.
The Tuskegee airmen were the first black pilots in American military service. They overcame discrimination and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected groups of service members during WWII. Their achievements paved the way for the full integration of the U.S. military.
A resident of Scotch Plains since he was 5 years old, Mr. Nettingham is still active in the community. He is a member of Alpha Lodge #116 F&AM in East Orange, NJ, and is a member in good standing at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Scotch Plains where he sings in the Men’s Chorus and the Voices of Metropolitan.
The Memorial Day parade is funded by Scotch Plains and Fanwood. The concert, however, is made possible by the generosity of local donors–individuals, businesses and community organizations–who support the concert expenses. Checks should be made payable to Township of Scotch Plains, c/o Toni Rollis , Scotch Plains Municipal Building, 430 Park Ave, Scotch Plains. NJ 07076. Ms. Rollis can be reached at (908) 322- 6700 x 314.
