A small but eager crowd greets the marchers on Main Avenue, across from Firemen’s Park— heading east. Monday, 5/27/2024. Memorial Day. The parade arrived early and had no music. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net. Click once to enlarge and make the crowd look bigger.
Blogfinger headquarters on Memorial Day 2024. Paul Goldfinger photo. Our banner honors free speech in America and especially for bloggers all over. Click to read the banner. Flags were flying around town. Memorial is celebrated on the last Monday each May.
Paul Goldfinger, MD. Blogfinger.net. Monday 5/27/24. Ocean Grove, NJ, USA.
Neptune Township was responsible for this flawed Memorial Day parade which began at the High School and then made its way to the monuments at Broadway. Then it got to Main Avenue early and past Firemen’s Park before I had a chance to rush over and get some photos.
I don’t know which number was smaller: the marchers or the watchers.
True conversation: I was wearing my JWV veterans hat when I spoke to an OG fireman who was with his family.
Me: Did I miss the music?
He: There was no music.
Me: At least the Neptune HS band director could have sent over a glockenspiel, a bugler and some kazoos.
He: There should be no music. This is a somber event.*
Me: (Thinking: Hey—I’m a vet and a bandsman and I know. That’s dumb. This parade should be a celebration of those who gave their lives, and music should be part of that.)
Me: You OG firemen do a terrific job, but can you do something about that ugly spiked fence surrounding the bell in Firemen’s Park?
He: That’s up to the Commissioners. He was totally disinterested.
I got there as the Township Committee marched by. They were handing out flags, and Mayor Tassie York, spotting me and my camera, sent a smile and a wave my way.
Mayor Tassie York Ocean Grove. 5/27/24. Click to enlarge.
Committeeman Darel Stroud hands me a flag. Click to enlarge. Paul Goldfinger photo OG. Memorial Day Parade. Blogfinger.net. 5/27/24. Ocean Grove.
As did Committeeman Darel Stroud who walked over to me with a happy face and asked if I wanted a flag.
“Yes” I said. And then he said something which no one has ever said before in all the prior parades where I was photographing. He said, “Thanks for the photo.”
That may seem trivial, but it suggested to me that he is a people person and an original thinker. I already had that impression when he voted for denying a North End settlement agreement and a new Redevelopers agreement because he wanted to have the people’s voice heard.
Also his background indicates knowledge and experience in State government.
Mayor Tassie York also voted with him which went against the Township lawyers. And she supported the parking sticker plan which had been defeated last year.
And here’s an Internet photo message to remind our Committee to maintain transparency at all times:
If you think that music doesn’t belong during Memorial Day, click on the link below PBS. Memorial Day 2024. Then click on “The Concert” and then click on “the Salute to the Services.” And find the video arrow. Don’t miss the full cast finale.
I grew up In Rutherford, NJ. We always had a festive Memorial Day Parade. There was music including the Rutherford High Marching Band and the Fairleigh Dickinson University concert band. I was in both groups, but not simultaneously. Also, when they have a Memorial Day parade in Washington, DC, they have many bands.
So music is permissible for Memorial Day
.
The NHS band was supposed to march, but half an hour before they were to report, they were told not to come due to threat of storms.