John Basilone Parade To March In Raritan On Sept. 19

RARITAN, NJ — The 40th Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade honoring National World War II hero, Marine Sergeant John Basilone, will kick off at 1 p.m. on Sept. 19 in downtown Raritan.

This year's parade, which marches along Somerset Street in downtown Raritan, will include military groups and veterans' organizations, floats, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, ROTC units, Civil Air Patrol Cadets, military vehicles, Marine Detachments, fire companies, rescue squads, and other civic and patriotic groups.

Other events that weekend include a 5K run on Saturday, Sept. 18, 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.

Sergeant 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 he was killed in 1945.

For more information visit johnbasiloneparade.com or email basiloneparade@gmail.com.

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