COURT HOUSE — Cape May County will mark Memorial Day at the County Veterans’ Cemetery May 29 at 2 p.m.
Speakers include Capt. Curtis B. Odom, commanding officer, USCG Training Center Cape May, Freeholders Gerald M. Thornton, and Leonard Desiderio.
Invited to participate was U.S. Rep Frank LoBiondo R-2nd).
The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center will provide the ceremonial detail, and representatives from county veterans’ organizations will participate in the program that honors the nation’s fallen veterans.
Most municipal, state, county and federal offices will be closed, as are some banks. No mail will be delivered.
Traffic signals have been activated in island communities, and parking meters are in operation.
The following are local events that observe the solemn holiday:
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP: Middle Township’s Memoral Day parade begins at Elementary School No. 2 at 10 a.m. At the conclusion of the parade, attention is directed to American Legion Post 198’s post home at Dias Creek Road and Hand Avenue where speeches and wreath-laying ceremony will take place. Refreshments follow.
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CAPE MAY: The city will host a Memorial Day service in Convention Hall beginning at 11:15 a.m. on May 29.
Participants will include city officials, local veterans organizations, the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
In addition to remarks from honored guests, the Coast Guard Training Center Band will perform.
A memorial wreath will be dropped into the sea from a helicopter at approximately noon following the ceremony inside Convention Hall.
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WILDWOODS: Memorial Day ceremonies for the Wildwoods will be held at the American Legion Post No. 184, Roberts and Atlantic avenues at 11 a.m. May 29.
This will be a joint service with the V.F.W., the Wildwood Beach Patrol and Boy Scout Troop No 75.
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SEA ISLE CITY: A small replica of a boat carrying a floral wreath will be taken to Kennedy Boulevard beach at 10 a.m. May 29 to honor the naval dead.
Awaiting that vessel will be lifeguards ready to row it to sea where it will be released.
Mayor Lenoard Desiderio, local and county officials will be among those taking part in this year’s Memorial Day ceremony.
The Veterans Memorial Fountain will be decorated by the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. The police and auxiliary will participate by placing wreaths at the fountain.
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SEVEN MILE BEACH: On Memorial Day, American Legion Stephen C. Ludlam Post 331, will once again lead parades in Avalon and Stone Harbor.
The Avalon parade begins at 31st Street and Dune Drive, at 9 a.m. and will end at the 21st Street Circle, where special ceremonies will take place to dedicate the new Veterans’ Plaza.
Memorial wreaths will be presented. There will be a 21-gun salute by a detail from the American Legion post and fly-over by the 117th Fighting Squadron, New Jersey Air National Guard.
Stone Harbor’s parade begins at noon on 96th Street at the Great Channel Bridge and ends at the Women’s Civic Club on 96th Street at the beach.
There will be a memorial ceremony, presentations of wreaths that will be carried to sea by Stone Harbor’s Beach Patrol and a gun salute by a detail from the American Legion post.
All veterans are urged to join to march in the parades. Call 368-1987.
The Stephen C. Ludlam American Legion Post 331, 117th Street and Second Avenue will have an open house and special ceremony. The newly installed Memorial Walk will be dedicated.
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OCEAN CITY: Ocean City hosts its Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. May 29 at Veterans Park, Sixth and Wesley aves. Mayor Henry “Bud” Knight will be keynote speaker.
Knight will be retiring after 14 years in office on July 1. He has spoken at every Memorial Day service since taking office.
Veteran Bill Cruice will conduct a MIA ceremony and lead the flag salute.
The invocation will be given by Rev. Mark Bruesehoff of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the benediction by Rev. Reggie Albert of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.
Carli Smith will lead the National Anthem and Andrea Cocozza will perform God Bless America.
Greg Murphy of Bugles Across America, a group of musicians that honor service personnel, will play “Taps.”
The wreath will be presented by veterans Dick Galante and Ted Bethas, and Bill Godcell of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will close the program.
Participating organizations include the United Veterans Council of Ocean City, VFW Post No. 6650 of Ocean City, Bill Godcell, commander of American Legion Post No. 524 of Ocean City, John Dower of Boy Scout Troop No. 32 and Cub Scout Pack No. 51 of Ocean City.
In the case of bad weather, the ceremony will be held at the Ocean City Tabernacle across the street from Vet-erans Park.
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WOODBINE: Woodbine Elementary School students and staff will host Red, White, and Blue Day today, at 1:30 p.m., in the school’s All-Purpose Room. All are invited.
The Coast Guard Drill Team and Honor Guard will give its traditional performance.
Students will present a celebration of patriotic music.
Among the guest speakers will be Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue and Petty Officer Tommy Franks of the Coast Guard Reserve.
This program is a long-standing yearly event to honor the men and women who serve and have served our county in the armed forces.
