Avalon to Honor Our Heroes with Memorial Day Parade May 26

AVALON — The Borough of Avalon will honor Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty with a special Memorial Day parade and ceremony May 26. The parade will feature comments from Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and from Major James D. Scanlon, retired Major, United States Army. The event will be presented by the Avalon Department of Recreation and by American Legion Post #331 (Stone Harbor/Avalon).
“We recognize that Memorial Day weekend is very important to our residents, visitors, and merchants as we begin another summer tourism season at the Jersey Shore”, Pagliughi said. “But we must never forget the true meaning of this important day. It is incumbent among all of us to pause and honor men and women who put service to their country before their own self interests, and before their loved ones. Avalon is very proud to welcome Major Scanlon to be an integral part of Avalon’s tribute to our Nation’s true heroes”.
The parade will step off at 32nd Street and Dune Drive at 9:00am and proceed northbound for 12 blocks to the Avalon Veterans Plaza, located at 20th Street and Dune Drive. Various service and civic organizations from Avalon will participate in the parade. Mayor Pagliughi will walk with members of the Avalon Borough Council and with Major Scanlon.
Following the parade Mayor Pagliughi will deliver remarks commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Following the Mayor’s remarks, Major Scanlon will deliver his own comments reflective of the importance of Memorial Day.
Major Scanlon completed basic training and advanced individual training at Ft. Knox, KY in 1970-1971. In 1971, he was released from active duty and returned to the 50th Armored Division of the New Jersey National Guard. In 1990, he transferred to the Inactive Ready Reserve where he continued to serve until 2007 at the rank of Major. Duty stations included Camp Robinson, Little Rock, AK; Fort Sam Houston, TX; Fort Dix, NJ; and Fort Drum, NY.
For the first ten years Major Scanlon served with the 5th/117th Calvary. At the time of his retirement, he was enrolled in Command and General Staff College. During this time, Major Scanlon received numerous commendations and awards and served in positions including company level executive officer, battalion level S4 and brigade level S4 with a specialty in logistics.
Today, Major Scanlon serves as Senior Vice Commander for the American Legion in Cape May County and Senior Vice Commander of American Legion Post #524. He also has been instrumental with helping veterans find employment in the private sector following their military careers. He was born and raised in Linden, NJ and currently resides in Ocean City, NJ.
For additional information, please visit www.avalonboro.net.