Hillsborough Army Veteran To Serve As 2024 Memorial Day Grand Marshal

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Army Veteran and Hillsborough Township resident Meghann Valeo will lead Hillsborough’s 2024 Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony on May 25 as the Parade's Grand Marshal, announced Mayor Robert Britting Jr.

"This long-standing tradition in Hillsborough is our way of recognizing and thanking our Veterans and Military Service Personnel. We are grateful to have Army Veteran Meghann Valeo lead our ceremonies this year as the Grand Marshal," said Britting at the March 12 Township Committee meeting. "Meghann Valeo takes her place in Hillsborough history as being the third woman to be honored as Grand Marshal."

"It's an honor to be Grand Marshal of the Hillsborough 2024 Memorial Day Parade and to be recognized for my service," said Valeo. "Memorial Day is very meaningful for military families and veterans, as it is a day to honor and remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country."

Valeo was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in May 2003 and began her military training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, as a Military Police Officer. In 2004, she served as a Platoon Leader for 4th Platoon, 977th MP Company and was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas.

In late 2004, Valeo was selected above her peers to serve as the Direct Support Military Police Platoon Leader for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division. She led a Military Police Platoon of 31 personnel and more than $2.5 million in equipment.

Deployed to Baghdad from February 2005-2006, Valeo conducted more than 350 combat missions in a dangerous and volatile part of the city. She was also responsible for analyzing the physical security plan at two Iraqi police stations and implementing force protection measures at those stations.

Most notably, Valeo led a security detail for the United States Vice President during his visit to Camp Taji, Iraq. As Captain in the United States Army, she was Security Manager for an organization of more than 150 personnel, where she trained subordinate units in physical, personnel, and information security.

She also served for two years as a Captain in the US Army Reserve, where she was selected as the Aide de Camp for a General Officer.

Valeo was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

The Memorial Day Commemorative Program will begin on Saturday, May 26, with the ‘Salute to Military Service’ Breakfast at the Peter J. Biondi Municipal Building at 7:30 a.m. It will be followed by the Memorial Day Parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Auten and Triangle Roads. The event will conclude with the ceremony at the Garden of Honor, at the parade finish line.

All Hillsborough Military Service personnel are invited to participate in the 'Salute to Military Service’ Breakfast and to lead Hillsborough’s Memorial Day Parade and Commemoration Program on May 25.

Registration is required for the breakfast and can be completed online at the Township’s Parks and Recreation website by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 908-369-4832 or by completing the paper registration form.

"We are honored to invite Army Veteran Meghann Valeo to lead the Hillsborough Township Memorial Day Parade and thank her for her service to the United States of America," said Britting.

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