Memorial Day Lives In Small Town USA

America's heart still beats true in its small towns.
And nowhere is this more evident than in historic Haddonfield, New Jersey just across the Delaware River from the nation's Cradle of Liberty, Philadelphia.
In this picturesque colonial village Memorial Day is still characterized by solemn observance.
We were there this morning in Haddonfield as a brief parade moved down Kings Highway to the veterans' monuments at Haddonfield Memorial High School.

The local American Legion Post 38 sponsored the annual Memorial Day remembrance ceremony and parade, along with the borough and the borough commissioners.
The parade included the Post 38 Color Guard and members of the Post, the High School Marching Band, the mayor and commissioners, the memorial service flag presenters (Daughters of the American Revolution, War of 1812 and Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic), the Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troops 64 and 65 and Cub Scout Packs 64 and 65, the Jack Schweiker Composite Unit of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), an apparatus of Haddon Fire Co. No. 1 and the Ambulance Association.

The memorial service honored the fallen men and women of nine wars, from the American Revolution to the present-day conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Haddonfield's great Mayor Tish Colombi delivering poignant remarks during the ceremony.

The service also included normal military honors, a chaplain’s prayer by Reverend Mark-Anthony Rassmann Sr., and remarks by the Post 38 Commander.

Christian Johnson (impersonating President Abraham Lincoln) delivered a rendition of the Gettysburg Address.

The event also featured the placement of flags for each war, a reading of “In Flanders Fields” by the HMHS Honor Society and music by the Haddonfield Pick-Up Band.

Refreshments, donated anonymously, were served following the ceremony.
As always, this event was a fitting tribute to our fallen heroes and to all those who have served.