Arts & Entertainment

John Basilone Parade Marches Through Raritan: Photos

The 41st annual parade was held this past Sunday in honor of National World War II hero, Marine Sergeant John Basilone of Raritan.

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The United States Marine Corp Band from Quantico, Virginia helped to start this parade off by playing the Marines hymn as they marched down Thompson Avenue. (Courtesy of Thom Horvath)
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One of the many youth groups marching in the parade. (Courtesy of Thom Horvath)
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The John Basilone Honor Platoon 251 was created in 1962 and named after John Basilone. Its members back then were all from New Jersey. (Courtesy of Thom Horvath)
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Traveling from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota, nine members of the Mandan, Hidasta, Arikara tribes were there to honor John Basilone. (Courtesy of Thom Horvath)
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One of many bagpipe groups that participated in the John Basilone Parade. (Courtesy of Thom Horvath)

RARITAN, NJ — It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday for the 41st Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade honoring its National World War II hero, Marine Sergeant John Basilone.

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.

This year’s parade marched along Somerset Street in downtown Raritan. The parade included 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.

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