Memorial Day services set for this weekend

Local communities are gearing up to honor those who have fought for their country with a host of events this weekend, including parades and more solemn services.

Residents are invited to attend the Memorial Day ceremonies, watch the parade or simply do their part by reflecting on those who fought to protect the nation in the past and those fighting overseas today. Sayreville resident Joe Ziemba, a World War II veteran who fought as a flame-thrower at Iwo Jima, suggested flying a flag as a means of support.

"It is an honor and privilege to remember the veterans on this day," he said. "It is because of them, their courage and bravery that the flame of freedom burns brightly today."

Ziemba, who now serves as Middlesex County's supervisor of veterans' interment, will serve as master of ceremonies for the Veterans' Alliance of Raritan Valley parade from New Brunswick to Highland Park. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the Roosevelt School on Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. The route will lead to the circle at George Street, where festivities will include a volley by a firing squad and the playing of taps. The parade will then turn left on Livingston Avenue and lead to Highland Park, where services will continue and refreshments will be served.

+ In East Brunswick, Memorial Day will be observed on Sunday at Veterans Park in the municipal complex, starting with a ceremony at 1 p.m. A community gathering will follow, with numerous veterans groups participating.

The Vietnam Veterans of America, which is serving as the 2007 "host post," has selected sculptor Blaise Batko to serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Batko was commissioned by the township in 1996 to design and construct the East Brunswick Veterans Monument. He has long been involved with many veterans groups and has completed sculptures in many surrounding communities.

The East Brunswick High School Marching Band and Color Guard will participate, along with the East Brunswick Community Chorus and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps, serving as wreath bearers.

Also, the township will dedicate six newly installed granite pavers donated by residents in honor of loved ones at the Veterans Monument.

The community gathering following the ceremony will feature free refreshments until 4 p.m., and a performance at the gazebo by the East Brunswick High School Jazz Ensemble, led by John Kish.

The township asked that any veterans of the U.S. military who would like to participate in the service call Karen Kecskes of the Division of Recreation at (732) 390-6797 to register.

+ The Jamesburg/Monroe/Helmetta Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday starting at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Jamesburg. The route will run along Gatzmer Avenue, Forsgate Drive and East Railroad Avenue before returning to the park. Numerous organizations, including school bands, scouting groups, sports clubs, emergency services and civic groups, will march in the parade, which is sponsored by the Jamesburg Area Patriotic Committee.

+ Old Bridge's annual Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. The route will begin at Memorial School and turn right onto Matawan Road and Laurence Parkway, over Route 35 and up Shoreland Circle. There, a ceremony will be held to honor Revolutionary War veterans. The parade then goes to the Laurence Harbor beachfront for a ceremony honoring the U.S. naval veterans. The final leg of the parade then crosses Route 35 to Memorial Park, where a ceremony concludes the day.

Grand marshal of the parade will be Old Bridge resident John Chacko, a major with the United State Marine Corps Reserve, who recently returned from duty in Iraq.

On Friday, the township will hold its annual wreath-laying ceremony at noon at the municipal plaza, Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

+ Sayreville will hold its Memorial Day events on Monday. The annual Fire Department service will run from 8 to 9 a.m. on MacArthur Avenue. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will run along Main Street.

+ In South River, the Memorial Day parade will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Main and Hillside streets. The route will run along Main Street, turning onto Jackson Street and then Ferry Street before returning to Main Street and ending at the War Memorial building, where a service will be held.

Grand marshals for the parade will be Stanley Nowicki and John Fabian. The parade will be led by active U.S. Army soldiers from Somerset. Local eighth-grader Stephen Ejk will be master of ceremonies. Participating groups include veterans organizations, scouting groups, sports clubs and leagues, emergency services, local civic groups and volunteers, musical groups and other organizations. A reception will follow at the VFW Post 1451.