38th Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade Set For Sept. 22

RARITAN, NJ — The 38th Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade honoring Raritan local and National World War II hero, Marine Sergeant John Basilone will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22.

Basilone received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his gallant action during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942 and the Navy Cross posthumously for more heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima where we was killed in 1945.

This year’s parade will also include military groups and veterans’ organizations, floats, cyclists, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts, ROTC units, Civil Air Patrol Cadets, military vehicles, Marine Detachments, fire companies, rescue squads, and other civic and patriotic groups. The parade will began at 1 p.m. in Raritan.

The weekend events begin on Saturday, Sept. 21 with a 5K Run, “Manila Madness”, which will start at the Basilone Statue at 10 a.m. (registration begins at 8 a.m.).

Preceding the parade on Sunday, the John Basilone Museum at the Raritan Public Library will be open to visitors at 10 a.m. and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann’s Church at 10 a.m.

For more information visit the parade website at www.raritan-online.com or email basiloneparade@gmail.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.