Memorial Day Parade
Oakland’s Memorial Day Parade, held on the beautiful and sunny day of May 28th, was filled with many highlights and inspirational moments. A large crowd showed up in support as groups and local organizations marched in commemoration to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in duty to our nation. Families and local residents set up chairs on street curbs and cheered as the marchers walked by.
Among those marching were all levels of girl and boy scout troops, baseball teams, groups of bagpipers, marching bands at the front and back, the local First Aid Team, Oakland’s Police and Fire Department as well as local organizations such as the Dance Theatre of New Jersey and the local Animal shelter. All throughout the crowd, young kids ran up to onlookers, throwing necklaces and candy for them to snack on. One girl walking as a part of the Access for All Committee said how her favorite part of the Memorial Day Parade was handing out necklaces to people.
Some of the many additions that piqued the crowd's interest were a toy truck squirting water named Freddie, military trucks, a military plane flying overhead, and a horse and buggy, which was commented by a father of a baseball player as “the best part” of the parade.
One of the veterans who marched in the parade was Rich Hetherington, who served in the United States Armed Forces. “It was inspiring because it was dedicated to those who aren’t with us anymore,” he commented when asked what he thought about the parade. “It’s good to see all the people out here saying, ‘We miss these people.’” He further said how it “got me kind of teary eyed” as he “marched up and down the street and people were cheering and applauding. 
Kathleen O’Neal, President of the Mother’s Club of Oakland and resident of Oakland for 17 years, commented on how she had been to almost all of the parades in the years she has lived in the town. “I think it’s fun for the community and it brings everyone together,” she stated.
The service following the Memorial Day Parade was one filled with inspirational speeches from a number of people, including a senator and a congressional representative. It began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem collectively by everyone present, led by Deborah Myhren, a truly beautiful and encouraging opening. When asked how she felt about singing in front of so many significant figures on an incredibly important day, Deborah stated, “It was really cool, especially to see all the veterans and the people so dedicated to the town.” 
The first to speak was Rabbi Kaplan, who opened the service, saying, “There is great value in communally commemorating the courage of soldiers who gave their lives to protect our God-given freedom.”He spoke on how American citizens owe their lives to the young men and women whose lives were cut short, and the need to “stand tall in their honor”.“These brave ones were the greatest of all,” he said. “They gave their all because they knew that freedom is not free and the price of freedom is priceless.”
Closing out, Rabbi Kaplan spoke a prayer over the families of the military and those celebrating Memorial Day, asking for strength and the knowledge to always have an appreciation for those who died in battle. Mayor Linda Schwager spoke shortly at the service saying, “We’re here to pay a tribute and commemorate all those who gave their lives for our country and what we should celebrate is patriotism.”
Senator Holly Schepisi was also present to speak passionately and inspirationally about the true weight and gravity of the sacrifice so many people have given to our country. In it, she told the story of Richard Cressman, a man who graduated from Indian Hills High school and immediately went into service. He, unfortunately, was killed in action in less than 8 months. Afterward, he was given the awards of the Flying Cross as well as a Purple Heart. Richard Cressman is now commemorated in Oakland with a dining hall as well as a bridge over the Ramapo River named after him. “We live in a moment in time where we oftentimes take for granted the liberty afforded us as Americans,” Senator Schepisi commented. “The freedom we’ve had that many around the world fight to achieve.”
Congressman Bill Pascrell stood up next and gave a passionate speech in which he noted how around 350,000 veterans live in New Jersey and the obligation of every American citizen to express appreciation and gratitude through commemorative events such as the Memorial Day Parade.“It’s up to us to mark the service of those who gave everything,” he stated. “They left nothing behind to give. They left it on the field of battle. It’s our obligation to show gratitude.”
In his speech, he also told the story of a veteran from Rutherford, New Jersey whose body was left unaccounted for over 70 years, only just recovered three weeks before Memorial Day. The fallen veteran’s 103-year-old sister was then presented with all of his awards, which included a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. Congressman Pascrell, finished the story by telling the crowd how two weeks after she was given these awards, the sister had died. This moving story left the crowd speechless, and the congressional representative concluded his speech with calls for remembrance and appreciation of those who died in service for America.“I don’t call patriotism old-fashioned,” Congressman Pascrell added. “No one should mock loving your country.”
Grand Marshal Ronald Beattie, Commander of the American Legion and army veteran of the Vietnam War, was commemorated for serving 20 years as a grand marshal as well as serving 25 years in capacities in Oakland, New Jersey. Among the various duties that he held, several included serving the Oakland Police Department and being President and Founder of the local PBA 600. Before Grand Marshal Beatty stood to give a public service announcement on contacting local police about weapons found in houses of soldiers or veterans, the crowd gave a standing ovation for his countless years of “selfless service”.
After the speeches, a beautiful poem on the effect of fallen soldiers on families was read and a bell was rung for each name of a fallen soldier from Oakland in an honor roll mention. The service then closed with Deborah Myhren standing and leading the crowd in God Bless America, a truly inspirational and emotional end to the important commemorative day.