Memorial Day is right around the corner {in less than a week, in fact}, and the long holiday weekend is kicking off in Hoboken with the Mile Square’s annual parade this Wednesday. This year’s Memorial Day Parade will be held on the evening of Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:30PM on Washington Street. Read on to learn more about the Hoboken Memorial Day Parade 2019 and everything you need to know to prepare for it {ah-hem, that includes biting your tongue when it comes to traffic, jussayin’}.
{All photos credited to Will Ferman}
All About This Year’s Parade
The Memorial Day Parade in Hoboken has been a long-standing tradition in the community for the past 121 years. This year, the parade’s Grand Marshal will be Jim Vance, an esteemed + decorated Vietnam veteran, per hMag. As usual, the parade is presented by the Hoboken American Legion Post 107.
Last year, the parade was led by Grand Marshal Michael DePalma. Depalma currently serves the Mile Square as a detective in the Hoboken Police Department and is a decorated U.S. army captain, according to hMag.
See More: The Memorial Day Parade in Hoboken {A Photo Essay}
The parade will be honor fallen soldiers + veterans. In Hoboken specifically, the Mile Square lost 71 soldiers during World War I, lost three soldiers during the Korean war, 263 citizens were lost during WWII, and nine Hoboken men passed way in the Vietnam War. The parade will serve as a means of honoring these men + the men and women across the country who have lost their lives defending the U.S. Whether you’re remembering loved ones who served in WWII or a first responder who passed away in the line of duty, Memorial Day is the time to honor each and every one of their memories.
The History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, historically, is a U.S. holiday held on the last Monday of May to honor the men and woman who passed away serving the country. Originally, the holiday was known as “Decoration Day,” as it began during the following years of the Civil War during the 1860s with springtime memorial services for those that fought in the war, according to History.com. However, Memorial didn’t become an official Federal holiday until 1971. Today, every Memorial Day, there is a nation-wide moment of remembrance at a local time of 3:00PM, as per History.com.
As it stands, towns and cities throughout the country honor fallen veterans + living veterans alike with a parade. According to History.com, the largest parades take place in D.C., New York, and Chicago.
What You Need To Know for This Year
As with any major event, there will be traffic during the parade. Washington Street traffic will be closed to the south of 11th street from 6:00PM-7:00PM tomorrow evening and NJ Transit buses will be on running on a detour through Bloomfield and Hudson Streets.
Read More: A First-Responder’s Story of Hoboken on September 11th
The parade will begin assembling at 6:00PM at City Hall {between 1st and Washington Street} and will be running down Washington Street to the in front of the Hoboken Elks Lodge {1005 Washington Street}. Please be sure to make note of the traffic diversions + make any necessary changes to your respective commutes.
Will you be attending the Memorial Day Weekend parade this year? Let us know in the comments!
