Attend the Veterans Day Parade - Nov. 11th

Please come to the Veterans Day Parade in Downtown Toms River -- Tuesday, November 11th, at 9:30am. Service men and women from every generation have fought for us -- the least we can do is show up to honor their service.

Here is the announcement from the Township about the Parade:

“A Salute and Thank You” Ocean County Veterans Day Parade to be held in Toms River (Toms River) All military veterans, their family members and the community are cordially invited to attend the Ocean County Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 in downtown Toms River. The annual parade, sponsored by the Toms River Veterans Commission, will highlight veterans of all branches of the service and feature military vehicles, civic groups, local high school bands and a showcase of vintage cars. Chariot Riders of Manchester will once again be providing a horse with riding boots backwards to symbolize our fallen heroes.

The Toms River Veteran’s Commission recently held an essay contest for the Toms River Intermediate and High Schools. The essay question asked students “Why I appreciate America’s veterans?” The winners were chosen and read their essays aloud at the Council meeting on Oct. 28th. Distinguished Vietnam War veteran George Convery, who was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and received a Presidential Unit Citation for his actions in Vietnam, will serve as the Parade Grand Marshal. Convery is a graduate of Toms River High School and joined the United States Navy in 1966. He was deployed to Vietnam for 10 months serving as a machinist mate on the USS America CVA-66. He was then assigned to temporary duty with the 1st Marine Division as support personnel on a patrol boat performing search and rescue missions.

Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher is reminding everyone in Ocean County to bring family and friends out to the Veteran’s Day parade and ceremony. “Ever since I have been the Mayor, Veteran’s Day becomes more significant because so many of our residents have served, or are still serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other terrorist sites throughout the world. Because of that, I urge as many people as possible to attend the parade and support our Veterans.”

The Ocean County Veteran’s Day Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Toms River Shopping Center on Rt. 37, proceeding south on Main Street (Route 166) and then east onto Washington Street.

After the parade, there will be a ceremony held outside Toms River’s Town Hall at 33 Washington Street. A commemorative salute will begin at the 11th hour, at the 11th minute on the 11th day of November, which signifies the end of World War I, originally known as Armistice Day. The post-parade ceremony will feature speakers and honored guests, including a placing of the wreath on the Veteran’s monument. Following the ceremony, the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library invites all parade attendees to join them for a day of celebration and thanks to Veterans of all ages. The 11 a.m. event will feature notable local Veterans, Township Historian J. Mark Mutter, entertainment and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.