Coast Guard Dedicates Sunset Parade to Veterans

CAPE MAY – The Coast Guard will be dedicating its first Sunset Parade of 2013 to veterans, both past and present, in order to educate the community on the significance of Memorial Day Sunday at 7:45 p.m.
Sunset Parades are impressive military displays of marching troops and the Coast Guard Recruit Precision Drill Team. More than 200 recruits will march in the parade and strike the National Ensign from the Parade Field at sunset in order to remember fallen servicememners.
“We are obligated to tell the story of those who paid the ultimate price for freedom,” said Capt. Bill Kelly, commanding officer of Training Center Cape May. “I hope our efforts encourage community members to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by servicemembers in order to maintain our way of life.”
The gates of Training Center Cape May will open at 7:15 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to use this time for security screening, parking and seating. Guests should plan on being seated by 7:45 p.m. Sunset Parades are exciting and fun for the entire family; however, children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the ceremony.
The Coast Guard Recruit Precision Drill Team is the U.S. military’s only recruit precision drill team, and their performances include spinning rifles, complex facing and drill movements, and dangerous rifle tossing routines. The group performs their complex routines without verbal commands or cues.
Coast Guardsmen from Training Center Cape May will also be participating in a variety of events throughout the community Memorial Day including the City of Cape May’s ceremony at Convention Hall at 11 a.m. and Cape May County Veteran’s Cemetery ceremony in Cape May Courthouse, N.J., at 2 p.m.
In the event of inclement weather, visitors may call Training Center Cape May’s base information line at (609) 898-6700 for cancellation information.
Visitors can also expect increased security screening for the event, and guests will no longer be permitted to bring bags of any kind to the seating area including purses, camera bags, and backpacks. Photography is permitted and encouraged, but cameras must be removed from their bag prior to arriving at the seating area. Guests are encouraged to leave bags in their vehicles during the Pararde.