Mt. Olive group plans Memorial Day event after parade cancellation
MOUNT OLIVE – This Memorial Day will be the first in the township in more than three decades to not have a parade, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a special event to mark the holiday.
“The parade is gone but, we’re not canceled. We have a very special program planned,” said Charlie Uhrmann, organizer of the All Veterans Memorial group, which helped construct the veteran’s monument in Turkey Brook Park.
For the past 30 years, the parade was coordinated by Bill and Linda Sohl, a Mount Olive couple who announced their retirement from parade-planning after last year’s event.
Linda Sohl said they did not know the parade would stop running once they retired.
“We figured Charlie would handle the ceremony,” she said, “And the town would pick up the parade.”
But the Mount Olive announced earlier this year that instead of a parade there would be a Food Truck and Fireworks Festival to compliment a ceremony.
“He didn’t speak to anyone, we just read in the paper there would be food trucks and fireworks in lieu of a parade,” Uhrmann said. “[Mayor Rob] Greenbaum said there would be a township parade after the Sohls retired, but he replaced it with a food truck and fireworks.”
Greenbaum said Memorial Day events are now being organized by the All Veterans Memorial group.
“The All Veteran's Committee graciously took over the events being planned for Memorial Day,” Greenbaum said. “I hope the weather is sunny and there is large turnout honoring those who have given their lives to protect us and our way of life.”
Greenbaum did not comment on why the township chose to move on from the parade, but insisted the All Veteran’s group was welcome to host a parade if they wished to do so.
“The AVM committee was free to run all festivities they thought were appropriate,” Greenbaum said. “The Township appreciates their volunteerism and commitment.”
Uhrmann said Memorial Day is one of the most important holidays in the country and an event in Mount Olive is not about any one person, but rather the veterans and their families.
“We tried to provide something to make it so the day was recognized,” Uhrmann said. “The bottom line is the mayor arbitrarily canceled the parade, but Memorial Day is still on in Mount Olive.”
Parade or no parade, the Sohls and Uhrmann are happy there will be a Memorial Day event in Mount Olive.
“I’m satisfied there is still a ceremony,” Linda Sohl said.
The Remembrance begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday with “Patriots in the Park” which will feature displays, performances, and dedications at the All Veteran’s Memorial in Turkey Brook Park.
At 11:15 a.m., there will be a processional march around the park, featuring Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Color Guard, and war reenactors.
The Memorial Ceremony begins at 11:30 and features NJ Gold Star Mothers, who Uhrmann said the event is dedicated to.
The ceremony will also feature guest speaker Lt. General Gus Perna and special performances by the Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold, Theatre Dance Center Dancers, Mount Olive Middle School Chorus, and the Mount Olive High School Percussion.
“I know people are upset the parade is gone, but the ceremony is the most important part,” Linda Sohl said. “We come from a big military background, and this is always about the men and women who serve and pay the ultimate sacrifice.”
Go to www.allveteransmemorial.org to learn more about the memorial or the Remembrance.
Greenbaum said the Food Truck and Fireworks Festival was pushed to Labor Day because the forecast called for bad weather.
“Trust us when we say, no one is more bummed than us,” Greenbaum said on his Facebook page, “But with an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms predicted for Saturday we have to keep everyone's safety as our top priority.”
Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com
If you go:
Memorial Day Remembrance
What: A Memorial Day event featuring a processional march and dedication
When: Monday, May 25 at 9:30 a.m. Ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m.
Where: All Veteran’s Memorial, Turkey Brook Park in Mount Olive