Great Memorial Day in Cranbury

[Guest]

On a lighter note, what a great Memorial Day in Cranbury. A fantastic parade as usual, lots of parties on Main Street after and fun Boy and Girl Scout activities like the Cub Mobile races down Bunker Hill. And let's not forget the annual opening of the Cranbury Swim Club and all those adventurous polar bears who don't mind the early season water temperature.

All these presisng issues we discuss here aside, this is part of what Cranbury is really about. A wonderful family community steeped in whoelsome tradition.

Thanks to all that made it happen.

[James]

Absolutely agree. I imagine the parade and events take a major amount of work and time from personal schedules. Those involved in organizing and running the parade should be congratulated. It is events like these that bring the town together and we can all enjoy. I know for a fact that Cranbury's parade is highlighted in other towns without parades as something they aspire to have some day.

I was curious as I had to step into my backyard at one point. Did we have any veterans marching this year? It's been a couple of years since I saw the parade and this year I did not see any veterans marching. I am not sure if I missed them or they did not walk. I hope I just missed them as our town has more than a few veterans and I always enjoyed seeing them walk.

[publius]

Fairly boring parade.
Same trucks, same cars, same politicians feigning interest.
The only interesting thing were the three ATTRACTIVE young ladies in their mid-20s yelling pick-up lines to the firemen and other guys in uniform.
THATS what I call a parade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Traveler]

[Guest]

There were a few veterans, I think from WW2, that were riding in cars.

[Guest]

[back to cranbury]

Even if not uniformed, it would still be great to see them marching. I am sure we have a couple of WW2, Korea, Viet Nam, Gulf War or vetarans that were not active at war time. It would be great if people who know these individuals in town can encourage them to walk next year.

Also, what happened to the old bicycle part of the parade where kids rode decorated bikes? Has that been gone long.

To Publius, your comments are wrong. The parade may have the same themes, but our parade is never boring. Just look at the complaints registered in towns in our area that do not have parades. I really hope your comments on the ladies was in jest, because that is actually what is wrong about parades and public gatherings today.

[Traveler]

Another nice addition to any Memorial Day parade is a local high school marching band. With all the high schools in the surrounding area it's amazing we can't get one to participate. Perhaps next year?

[back to cranbury]

Years ago when I was living here in my first stint the Cranbury school band marched.

[Guest]

I assume perhaps the problem is there is no Cranbury Marching Band because the kids are part of the Princeton one. Has anyone tried to work with Princeton to have them all do the Cranbury parade? I would think if you are a competitive marching band you would look for any good excuse for a march you can find.

[Guest]

Doesn't the cranbury school downtown have a band? Too bad they couldn't march in the parade. It would have been nice for the school to take part.

As a kid living on Long Island NY, my elementary school and Junior High School had the regular band march in our local town parades.

Kudos to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts - even the scouts had a little band play at the memorial services.

[Young Veteran]

As a young Army Veteran I am very annoyed and disappointed by the lack of Uniformed Military Personnel in the Cranbury Parade. Although all the rest of the Parade is great, Memorial Day is not about those participants. The holiday is about remembrance and appreciation of those in the Military and the sacrifice that they have made, are making, and will always make for the greater good!

Besides the lack of a Military presence, how about a presentable Honor Guard. For those of you who don't know, the Honor Guard are those personnel who carry and guard the U.S. flag in ceremonies such as this parade. This year's Honor Guard didn't even lead the Parade route. I understand Cranbury is a historical society but a more updated, professional looking, and parade leading Honor Guard is not much to ask for!

A simple solution to the lack of Military presence and a more respectable Honor Guard is to request the assistance of a local National Guard or Reserve Unit. Again, as a young Army Veteran of both active and reserve service, I have participated in numerous Memorial Day Parades. All it takes is someone to coordinate with a local National Guard or Reserve Unit. The question, is the Township of Cranbury WILLING to have such a Military Presence???

[parade]

Young veteran,

I agree. The Parade is sponsored by the Lions club a volunteer organization and from what I understand those veterans in the past who marched were local residents who had served. I do wonder if it is not through a lack of trying, but through a lack of interest on the veterans part to march.

I would encourage you to contact the Lions club and volunteer to march next year. The parade would be great if we could get more veterans and active service personell to volunteer to march.

[traveler]

[parade]

Cranbury is very willing to have a military presence. We had two WW2 veterans riding. I wonder if our town is big enough for the National Guard to put people in the parade.

[Young Veteran]