M*A*S*H Star Loretta Swit To March In Raritan's 2024 Basilone Parade

RARITAN, NJ — TV Actress Loretta Swit, best known for her portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H, will be the special guest at Basilone's Parade for 2024

The John Basilone Parade Committee announced the news that Swit will be the special guest at the annual parade, which will march through Raritan on Sunday, Sept. 22. Swit had been scheduled to be the special guest at the 2023 parade, however, the parade was canceled due to weather.

The Annual John Basilone Memorial Parade honoring its National World War II hero, Marine Sergeant John Basilone will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. rain or shine.

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 Grand Marshal is Vietnam Veteran Ray Manzo. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroics in battle and later founded the advocacy group Rolling Thunder.

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.

The weekend events begin on Saturday, Sept. 21 with a 5K Run, which will start at the Basilone Statue at 10 a.m. (registration begins at 9 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.

New groups are welcome to march. To register to march or for more information visit johnbasiloneparade.com or email basiloneparade@gmail.com.

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